Playas del Coco travel guide
Playas del Coco, Costa Rica: where to stay, eat and play
A busy, central beach town less than 30 minutes from Liberia Airport, with great diving, sailing, fishing, nightlife and day trips all over Guanacaste.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Dec to Apr
From LIR airport
Under 30 min
Best Airport
LIR
Temperature
Hot: 85 to 95°F
Don’t want to read all this?
Book your Coco trip
Car rental
Flights
Shuttles
Travel insurance
Trip planner
Our take
Who Playas del Coco is for
Playas del Coco (also called Coco or Coco Beach) is a great base in Guanacaste because it’s central and there’s so much to do nearby. We find downtown a bit hectic, and it’s not really our vibe for a long stay, but there are great restaurants and bars. Just outside town, you get beautiful beaches and amazing Pacific views.
One thing to keep in mind: It gets hot hot hot here, and very dry by the end of the dry season. We once saw forest fires in early April.
How long to stay: Three to five nights, with day trips to nearby beaches, Rincón de la Vieja and Llanos de Cortez.
Coco or a nearby beach?
Stay in Coco if…
You want restaurants, nightlife and lots of tours within walking distance, and easy airport access.
Stay nearby if…
You want something quieter. Playa Hermosa, Ocotal and the Papagayo Peninsula resorts are all within about 20 minutes.
Our take
Coco is the most convenient base. For a calmer beach, look at Playa Hermosa next door.
Getting there
Getting to Playas del Coco
From Liberia Airport
Flying into Liberia saves you about five hours of driving. Adobe’s office is a five-minute free shuttle from the airport, and from there it’s less than 30 minutes to Coco on well-maintained roads.
From San José it’s about 4 to 5 hours (Route 27, then Route 1 to Liberia, Route 21 and 151). There are tolls at the start, so pay with a $10 bill. We always stop at Plaza Limonal for a quick bite, gas and bathrooms.
For more info:
Rental car
You don’t need a 4×4 to get to Coco. Adobe gives our readers 10% off.
Shuttles
Shuttles from Liberia Airport and around Guanacaste are easy. Use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Playas del Coco is in Guanacaste on the North Pacific coast, less than an hour from Liberia International Airport.
Good to know: Route 1 often has road work and lots of trucks. Be careful passing.
Weather
Playas del Coco weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in Playas del Coco. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Dry season (late Dec: Apr)
Hot hot hot, and everything dries out. By April it feels almost like Arizona.
Rainy season (May: Nov)
Our favorite time is May to July, when it’s green and pretty, with a daily storm around 2 pm for about an hour. August to December is cooler and rainier.
Daytime
Hot: 85 to 95°F
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Rain usually starts
Around 2 pm
Our tip
Our tip: If you’re worried about rain, this is the area to visit. It gets far less rain than most of the country.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Playas del Coco
Hotels in Coco itself are mostly mid-range. For luxury, the big resorts are a short drive away in Papagayo and around Playa Hermosa.
Nekajui, a Ritz-Carlton Reserve
Luxury · Papagayo Peninsula · New
One of the newest luxury resorts in the area, on the Papagayo Peninsula about 35 minutes from Coco.
Occidental Papagayo
All-inclusive · Adults-only · Nearby
A short drive from Coco, an adults-only all-inclusive with multiple pools, a private beach, spa, tennis courts and a gym.
Hotel M&M Beach Hotel
Mid-range · In town · Across from the beach
Across from the beach, with breakfast included and a guest kitchen. No A/C, but plenty of fans.
Hotel La Puerta del Sol
Mid-range · In town · Pool
About 1,000 feet (300 meters) from the beach, with a pool and bar on-site.
Also worth considering are El Mangroove (modern and secluded, near Playa Hermosa) and Planet Hollywood (all-inclusive and great for families, up on the Papagayo Peninsula). On a budget in Coco itself, try Hotel M&M Garden House or Toucan House.
See our 8 favorite Playas del Coco hotels →
Our pick
Rent a condo or villa
We like this ocean-view condo (plunge pool, complex amenities) and this ocean-view house (infinity pool, great for a family or two couples).
For a bigger group, this luxury condo sleeps six, with pools and a jacuzzi.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Playas del Coco rentals on VRBO →
Is Costa Rica planning feeling overwhelming? Let us break it down for you.
Sign up for free, step by step guidance (plus your printable planning checklist right now) and we’ll tell you exactly what to do next, and when.
Things to do
Things to do in Playas del Coco
Our favorite
Go sailing
A catamaran or sailing trip is the perfect way to see this coast, with snorkeling, sunsets, food and cocktails. Our favorite company is Kuna Vela, and I can guarantee you’ll have an amazing time.
Good to know
They run both day and sunset sailing tours.
Fishing
Go deep-sea fishing
Coco is a prime fishing spot, and one of Thomas’s favorite places in the country to go out. You might catch mahi-mahi, tuna, grouper and snapper.
Our pick
Book a half or full day with Captain Roberto on his Boston Whaler. Keep your catch, and they’ll arrange a nearby restaurant to cook it.
Go scuba diving
There are several reefs and tons of marine life around here. Go with an experienced guide to find the best spots.
Swim at Llanos de Cortez
About 45 minutes away, a waterfall you can swim under, and even hike up behind for an overhead view.
Day trip to Rincón de la Vieja
North of Coco, great for hiking on your own or a combo day with zip lining and more.
Go beach hopping
Some favorites are Playa Panama, Playa Hermosa, Playa Matapalo and Ocotal. Drive further to the Papagayo Peninsula or south to Las Catalinas.
Visit Diamante Adventure Park
Zip lines, hanging bridges, paddleboarding and an animal sanctuary. Get the all-access day pass (transport not included).
Free trip planner
Get a custom Costa Rica itinerary
Tell our planner your dates, airport and travel style. It picks the regions that fit, with hotels, tours and drive times for each stop.
Where to eat
Where to eat in Playas del Coco
The Lookout
Seafood · Ocean views
Excellent seafood with amazing ocean views.
Villa Italia
Italian · Fine dining
A beautiful, delicious Italian restaurant. Try one of the homemade pastas.
Che Sirloin
Burgers · Outdoor seating
An excellent burger spot where everything tastes super fresh. The outdoor area is perfect for a relaxed meal.
Chorotacos
Tacos · Budget
Doesn’t look like much, but the tacos are amazing (and cheap).
Other good options are La Dolce Vita for amazing Italian pasta and Le Coq for Lebanese food at a great price. At night, walk the main strip for bars, live music and DJs.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Playas del Coco
Sun protection
It’s so easy to get a bad sunburn here. Pack UV shirts, SPF 50 and a hat.
A few nicer outfits
There are lots of restaurants and a decent nightlife scene.
Water shoes
Handy for rocky beaches and boat days.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Coco is generally safe, but it’s a busier town with nightlife. Watch your belongings and take a taxi late at night.
Getting around
Getting around Playas del Coco
We suggest renting a car. Coco is nice, but the best part is how many great day trips you can take from here.
Rental car
Came by shuttle? Choose Liberia as your Adobe pickup and ask for hotel delivery. Coco is a bit over 12 miles away, so there may be a small fee.
Taxis and tours
Downtown is walkable, and many tours include pickup from Coco hotels.
FAQ
Playas del Coco FAQ: your questions
How far is Playas del Coco from Liberia Airport?
Less than 30 minutes by car on well-maintained roads.
Is Playas del Coco worth visiting?
Yes, as a central base. Downtown is a bit hectic, but there are great restaurants, nightlife and tons of tours, and beautiful beaches just outside town.
What is the best time to visit Playas del Coco?
The dry season (December to April) is the most popular. We love May to July, when everything is green and storms usually come around 2 pm.
Is Playas del Coco good for diving?
Yes. There are several reefs and lots of marine life nearby. Go with an experienced guide.
How do I get from San José to Playas del Coco?
Drive about 4 to 5 hours via Routes 27, 1, 21 and 151, or fly into Liberia instead to save the drive.
Do I need a car in Playas del Coco?
Not for downtown, but we suggest one for day trips to beaches, waterfalls and Rincón de la Vieja.
Every guide
i don’t want to drive to coco from Liberia. Are there busses that can take me there. If yes,
where do i go to get on and what is the time schedule.