Playas Del Coco / Guanacaste
Beach time!! Costa Rica boasts over 800 miles of coastline and tourism stats indicate that 3 out of every 4 visitors hit a beach… so I wasn’t going to be the 1 in 4 that doesn’t. Plus it’s December, so if I have an opportunity to trade in my winter coat and boots for a bikini… done, duh! Although deciding where in Costa Rica to put your toes in the sand can be a little overwhelming. There are so many beaches to chose from and each has its own character, a lot of times shaped by the nationality of the expat community who has chosen to settle there. They each have their own specialty too, whether it be surfing, fishing, scuba diving or socializing… aka partying. But don’t expect the white sand beaches and turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean… many of the beaches are dark sand and the riptide currents can be dangerous making it not safe for swimming. But these conditions do make for some great surfing and Costa Rica is known around the world as a premier destination for surfers.
The Guanacaste Province in the northwest corner of the country is popular for the number and diversity of beach destinations it offers. Megan and I were intrigued by Playas Del Coco, a vibrant, bustling fishing port with an energetic party scene. And Playa Hermosa just 10km north offers a more chill atmosphere and a 2km crescent shaped beach with swimmable waters. We figured this was the perfect choice for our two days in this part of the country, combining a little relaxation with a few margaritas and some socializing.
Playas del Coco has a boardwalk lined with palm trees and benches, but this beach seems to be better known as a jumping off point for fishing and diving tours than for beach-going. You can also book a surfing excursion to the popular Witch’s Rock or Ollie’s Point, a 40-min boat ride one way, but you won’t be able to glimpse surfers trying to catch a wave from one of the beachfront establishments on Playas del Coco. This isn’t a surfing town… the conditions just aren’t right.
The main street coming right through town dead ends at the beach and is lined with restaurants, bars, souvenir shops… even a casino! People are always out and about and as a working fishing port with a fish market, you can guarantee that you’ll be able to enjoy plenty of fresh seafood while in town. The open-air bars create an inviting atmosphere as the party spills out into the street and beckons you to join. There’s always something fun going on, from featured sporting events, to karaoke, to movie night. You won’t be bored here… but you might need to forgo setting an alarm.
Playa Hermosa is the opposite… a quiet town of villas and condominiums featuring a long beach, lined with trees providing shade and giving the beachfront properties some privacy. Of the two, this is the beach where you want to spread out your beach blanket and enjoy an afternoon soaking up that Costa Rican sun.
And make sure you hit The Lookout high in the hills above Playas Del Coco in Vista Marina. The views from Hotel Chantel’s rooftop patio are breathtaking, especially for the sunset! There’s not a bad seat in the house and both the food and cocktail menus are very well done. We witnessed a gorgeous sunset on our last night in town… the perfect eye candy memory of Playas Del Coco.
