Visit Costa Rica: Playas del Coco Travel Guide with Useful Tips :

It was my husband's birthday, and I wanted to give him a surprise. So, I planned a 3-day/2-night trip to Playas Del Coco!

Playas del Coco lies in the Gulf of Papagayo and spreads across 3 kilometers. It is located in Guanacaste, on the North Pacific side of Costa Rica, 243 kilometers from San Jose and 27 kilometers from Liberia.

Due to its proximity to the city of Liberia and Daniel Oduber International Airport, Playas del Coco is one of the fastest-growing areas for tourism in Costa Rica. It is also quite famous among expatriates and retirees from the United States, Canada, and Europe.

I took a public bus from San Jose. The Pulmitan de Liberia bus runs from San Jose to Playas del Coco every day at 8 am & 4 pm. It takes around 6 hours to reach. The bus drops the passengers off at Panaderia Tico's Bakery.

Location of the bus station in San Jose – 500 metros al Norte de Torre Mercedes en Paseo Colon, Barrio Mexico.

Playas del Coco has something to offer to everyone. Though my husband and I preferred to relax for most of our trip, there are plenty of activities that one can do here!

If you are looking to do scuba diving, Playas del Coco is an ideal place for you. It is close to several islands like Bat Islands, Monkey Head, and Catalinas Islands which are known for having rich marine life. There are many tour operators who offer scuba diving tours. Deep Blue Diving, Rich Coast Diving, and Summer Salt to name a few!

Coco is a fishing village and is quite popular for fishing among tourists. You can indulge in off-shore or in-shore fishing to catch Mahi Mahi, Red Snapper, Sailfish, and more.

Coco is known for its beautiful sunsets. With a winding beachfront promenade, water fountains, a park – Parque Amor de Temporada, a basketball court, a skatepark, and vendors selling snow cones and coconut water, Coco beach offers an action-packed (yet beautiful) space to sit in peace and watch the sun go down.

The best way to explore the beaches around Coco is to take a boat tour. There are many tour operators who offer private and open sailing tours. These tours include sailing around the Gulf of Papagayo, snorkeling, and going to incredible white sand beaches which are boat access only.

You will see many tourists enjoying Jet Skiing & Kayaking near the shore. You can walk up to the tour operator to book your tour or book it in advance.

Coco has amazing nightlife during weekends (Friday & Saturday nights). Don't be disappointed by the laid-back and quiet atmosphere of the town during the daytime as it turns into a party place by night (around 10 pm). Some of the popular bars that turn into party places at night are Zi Lounge, Coconutz, El Ancla & Bambu Beach Bar.

There are plenty of shops on the main boulevard (Route 151) boasting handmade wood-carved sculptures, magnets, handbags, hammocks, clothes, jewelry, and a plethora of trinkets. You also find a lot of vendors on the beach selling handmade items.

Something that you will probably notice upon entering the town of Coco (I certainly did) is tourists riding ATVs, scooters, and bicycles. This is a nice and fun way of exploring the beaches around Playas Del Coco by land. Don't forget to carry your driving license (Well, I did).

There are many hotels, hostels, all-inclusive resorts, Airbnbs, and beachfront properties in Coco. Though most of them are reasonably priced, prices may vary depending on the amenities you are looking for.

I was invited to stay at Hotel Toro Blanco, which is a 3-minute walk from the beach and a 1-minute walk from the town. The hotel has a swimming pool and a swim-up bar. Each room comes with a private patio and a fully equipped kitchenette. I loved the hotel!

There is a mix of local restaurants (soda) and international restaurants in Coco. Here are a few restaurants under various categories –

We took the same public bus by Pulmitan de Liberia from Panaderia Tico's Bakery. The bus leaves Playas del Coco for San Jose at 4 am & 2 pm every day.

We had a memorable time in Playas del Coco, and though the long bus journey was a little tiring, my husband liked the birthday surprise. Relaxing in peace, enjoying beauty and serenity, and spending quality time together are all that we needed!