18 Fun Things To Do in Playas del Coco, Guanacaste
Looking for the best things to do in Playas del Coco? Then you’re in the right place! After living in Coco for the past 7 years, and trying out all the tours and activities in the area, I can confidently direct you to the best things to do in Coco and the surrounding area.
Located just 25 minutes from the Guanacaste airport (LIR), Playas del Coco is one of the biggest beach towns in Guanacaste. What was once a small fishing village is now a bustling town of tourists, expats, and locals, with an endless amount of things to do.
Tip: Things tend to book up quickly during high season (December to April) so if you’re thinking about a trip to Playas del Coco, be sure to book your tours and accommodation in advance!
The Best Things To Do In Playas del Coco
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Ready to plan your trip to Playas del Coco? Here are the top Playas del Coco tours and activities, to help you plan the most epic vacation.
Go on a Sunset Sailing Trip
Hands down, the best thing to do in Playas del Coco is to go on a sunset sailing trip. You’ll sail from Coco bay to a local boat-access only beach with crystal clear water and white sand, where you’ll have plenty of time to swim and snorkel, before catching the sunset from the open sea.
Go Deep Sea Fishing
The town was once a tiny fishing village, so of course one of the best things to do in Playas del Coco is to go deep-sea fishing. Anglers come from all around the world to try their luck at catching world-class marlin, sailfish, and rooster fish.
But even if you’re not dreaming of catching a billfish, you can head out on a boat to catch dinner. Depending on the time of year, mahi mahi, tuna, and snapper are all abundant. You can even take your fresh catch to local restaurants to have it cooked up for dinner.
Travel Tip: We recommend Gonzalez Sport Fishing Charters and Dream On Sport Fishing for all fishing trips in Playas del Coco. Be sure to mention Let’s Travel Costa Rica when booking!
Relax on the Beach
One of the biggest reasons for planning a trip to a beach destination like Playas del Coco is to relax on the beach. And listen, we won’t lie – Playas del Coco is not the prettiest beach in Coco. The sand is dark, not white, and the water isn’t always clear. But it is usually quite calm and good for swimming.
Tip: If you’re going to hit the beach in Coco, head to the right, down past Cafe de Playa for the nicest part of the beach.
But even though Coco itself may not have the best beach, there are so many wonderful beaches nearby that are perfect for a beach day. Playa Ocotal can easily be accessed via golf cart or taxi while Playa Hermosa is just a 15 minute drive away. A little further, you have Playa Cabuyal which might be one of the nicest beaches in Guanacaste.
And not to mention all of the crystal clear, white sand beaches that are accessible by boats only. We highly recommend booking a fun beach hopping day with Gonzalez Sport Fishing (be sure to mention Let’s Travel Costa Rica for some added bonuses) so you can see some of the best beaches in the country.
Read More: The Best Beaches Near Playas del Coco
Learn to Dive
Playas del Coco is one of the top dive destinations in Costa Rica so it’s no surprise that learning to dive is one of the top activities in Playas del Coco. While there’s no coral in the area, local dive sites are home to many different types of fish, sea horses, sharks, and more.
Dive With Bull Sharks
The ability to dive with bull sharks is one of the things that makes Playas del Coco so unique. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and something you will never forget. It’s considered one of the few ethical destinations around the world to dive with bull sharks are they never baited.
Go Shopping
Looking forward to a day of retail therapy? Playas del Coco isn’t just known for its white sand beaches. It is also home to plenty of amazing shopping opportunities. Whether you are looking for a souvenir to bring home to family and friends, authentic local hand-crafted goods, or a dress for dinner, Playas del Coco has plenty of shopping to accommodate your needs.
Spend a Day Beach Hopping
One of the great things about Playas del Coco is how many beautiful beaches are within reach. There are plenty of “playa-hopping” options you can take. Whether it’s a short drive to nearby beach towns or taking a boat to explore boat access-only beaches, there are plenty of opportunities.
Looking for a car rental for your trip? Find the best prices here.
Spend a Morning at Llanos de Cortez
Llanos de Cortez is a beautiful waterfall located less than an hour from Playas del Coco. It’s easily accessible, with just a single set of stairs to reach the bottom of the waterfalls, and it’s one of the few waterfalls you can swim in as well.
Surf at the Legendary Witch’s Rock
Looking for a unique and memorable surfing experience while you are in Playas del Coco?
Head over to Witch’s Rock, a legendary surf spot located just off the coast. With its crystal clear waters and stunning views of the ocean, Witch’s Rock is the perfect destination for those looking to catch some serious waves.
Witch’s Rock is named as such due to its iconic shape and challenging conditions and is not an ideal surf spot for beginners.
Read More: Best Surf Spots Near Playas del Coco
Sample Local Craft Beer
Craft beer in Costa Rica has really exploded lately, with several new breweries opening up. In Coco, you can stop by Coconutz right on the main street to sample some of their craft beer. (Note: Their brewery was formerly called Angry Goats Brewery). Numu has also just opened a taproom in the Pacifico plaza, adjacent to AutoMercado. Monkey Head Brewery has a taproom between Coco and Liberia but you can also find their beer on tap at Zi Lounge. If you love craft beer, you can easily spend an afternoon trying them all!
Read More: Don’t Miss These 13 Best Breweries in Costa Rica
Go on a Catamaran Booze Cruise
While we love the Kuna Vela for a relaxing sunset cruise, if your goal is to party – there are plenty of fun options for booze cruises in Playas del Coco!
The Marlin del Rey is the #1 rated option in the area and for good reason. The catamaran sails daily and during high season, they have two boats that go out on separate tours. But even so, they can still sell out in advance, so this is definitely a tour you want to book in advance!
You leave from Coco around 2pm and after a quick safety briefing, are served as many cocktails as you’d like as you head to one of the gorgeous local beaches. You’ll have time to swim, snorkel, and just relax on the beach. Then back on the boat, you’re served an early dinner of chicken, rice, and sides – and more drinks, of course! Finish it off with a stunning sunset and you can see why this is rated as one of the top tours in Playas del Coco!
Click here to check the availability for your dates!
Enjoy Live Music at The Garden Bar
Live music can be found somewhere most nights in Coco and on the weekends, you’ll have your choice of bands playing at several bars on Main Street and along the beach.
But, in our opinion, the best spot for live music in Playas del Coco is The Garden Bar. Located just off the main street along La Chorrera (the road that runs parallel to the beach), The Garden Bar is tucked away in its own little oasis, on the property of Hotel La Puerta del Sol.
Be sure to check their Facebook page for current events but they always have music for Thirsty Thursday (along with their famous fishbowl cocktails!) and often have Latin dance classes as well.
Visit the Coco Sunday Market
If you’re looking for locally made goods, homemade bread, or any souvenirs or gifts, don’t miss Pamela’s Coco Sunday Market, held every Sunday morning at The Garden Bar. The vendors change weekly, with more showing up during high season, but it’s one event almost the entire community shows up to.
As a bonus, The Garden Bar also opens for brunch so be sure to grab a mimosa!
Enjoy Sunset and Oysters at The Lookout
The Lookout is undoubtedly one of the best places for seafood in the area – especially oysters.
You may actually recognize this restaurant from Netflix’s series Restaurants on the Edge but while the restaurant has undergone many changes, one thing still stands – it has good oysters and the best sunset view in Playas del Coco.
Be sure to check their Facebook ahead of time or call for reservations, as their schedule changes frequently. You’ll also need a car or taxi to reach the restaurant, as it’s set up high on a mountain – but it’s worth it!
Swim and Snorkel at Playa Ocotal
If you’re looking to relax and chill on the beach, just head to Playa Ocotal.
The crystal clear waters are perfect for swimming, snorkeling, and soaking up some Vitamin D. Not only can you enjoy the tranquil ocean views, but the Father Rooster restaurant makes for a tasty lunch after your swim.
The great thing about Playa Ocotal is that you can easily get there via golf cart or taxi. It’s about a 10 minute drive from Coco and a roundtrip taxi should cost under $20.
Kayak at Playa Hermosa
Experience the water from a different perspective by jumping on a kayak in nearby Playa Hermosa. This AirBnb excursion allows you to kayak the area in style with guidance from a local.
This is the most personal and intimate way to take a kayaking trip in the region. You’ll meet at the home of the experience host and get all of the local knowledge that you can handle!
Learn to Skimboard
Looking for more adventures on the water? You can learn to skimboard! It’s a fun and easy alternative to surfing and the waves in Coco are perfect for it. You’ll often see locals skimboarding at sunset – and now you can join them!
The host, an expert skimboarder, will give you all the advice and information you need to have an awesome time on the beach. They’ll also show you some of the best places in Playas del Coco for skimboarding.
Enjoy Dinner With a Local Chef
If you love the local cuisine, there is no better way to connect with the culture than by learning to cook some of the most popular foods with an expert local chef.
This AirBnb experience features a local cooking class led by a reputable chef. The best part? You don’t even have to leave your home or rental. The chef comes to you and helps you cook a full meal!
