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Costa Rica🇨🇷 | beachesPlayas del CocoDive shops, Catalina manta rays, Bat Islands sharks, fishing charters | things to do and best time to go

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Backpacking in Playas del Coco
👌 Worth visitingbeach ranked #8
By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026

Playas del Coco has a dive scene that draws more certified divers than almost any other spot on Costa Rica’s Pacific side, and the shop prices are lower than at the fancier beaches nearby. The town sits on the Gulf of Papagayo in the north of Costa Rica, in Guanacaste, west of Liberia. The sand is dark gray and coarse, the bay is full of moored boats, and weekend crowds and gringo-priced restaurants along the strip are part of the deal. Swimming is calm, though not crystal clear. Surf is absent. Sodas and cheap hostels sit a few blocks inland. One morning a vendor splitting a green coconut for me with a machete said, “Pura vida, mae, drink the water first.” I did, then ate the soft flesh with a plastic spoon while pelicans dropped into the bay.

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✨ Why go?
Ranked #8 beach in Costa RicaWhy visitors keep coming back

Playas del Coco works for backpackers because it is the cheapest sensible base for diving in the north of Costa Rica. Dive shops line the beachfront, and boats leave for the Catalina Islands and Bat Islands (the latter being bull shark territory, best reached from June to November). Beginners can take an Open Water course here without paying the premium of the resort beaches to the north.

The second reason is the social scene. The town is compact, so you meet people on the sand, at the dive shop and in the evening around the beachfront bars, and plenty of travelers end up sharing a table. Hostels and basic rooms sit within a short walk of the water.

It also connects well. Liberia’s airport is close by, and the neighboring beaches of Hermosa and Ocotal are an easy hop, so Playas del Coco … read more 👉
Playas del Coco works for backpackers because it is the cheapest sensible base for diving in the north of Costa Rica. Dive shops line the beachfront, and boats leave for the Catalina Islands and Bat Islands (the latter being bull shark territory, best reached from June to November). Beginners can take an Open Water course here without paying the premium of the resort beaches to the north.

The second reason is the social scene. The town is compact, so you meet people on the sand, at the dive shop and in the evening around the beachfront bars, and plenty of travelers end up sharing a table. Hostels and basic rooms sit within a short walk of the water.

It also connects well. Liberia’s airport is close by, and the neighboring beaches of Hermosa and Ocotal are an easy hop, so Playas del Coco makes a handy pause between border crossings, flights and the Nicoya Peninsula.

💡 HighlightsThe experiences that define the visit

  1. Scuba diving the Catalina Islands: Manta rays glide through the channels here from roughly December to May, and the dives are shallow enough for new divers. Many courses start right at the beachfront shops.
  2. Diving or snorkeling Bat Islands: The Islas Murciélago lie in a remote marine area of Santa Rosa National Park. Bull sharks make the long boat ride a serious draw for experienced divers.
  3. The beachfront at sunset: Fishing boats sway in the bay, the dark sand cools, and locals gather with food and drinks as the sky changes color over the water.
  4. Playa Hermosa and Playa Ocotal: Hermosa has a longer, quieter stretch of sand, while Ocotal has a small cove with calmer snorkeling and rocky shallows. Both are a short ride away.
  5. Sport fishing charters: Boats go out into the gulf for sailfish, mahi-mahi
… read more 👉
  1. Scuba diving the Catalina Islands: Manta rays glide through the channels here from roughly December to May, and the dives are shallow enough for new divers. Many courses start right at the beachfront shops.
  2. Diving or snorkeling Bat Islands: The Islas Murciélago lie in a remote marine area of Santa Rosa National Park. Bull sharks make the long boat ride a serious draw for experienced divers.
  3. The beachfront at sunset: Fishing boats sway in the bay, the dark sand cools, and locals gather with food and drinks as the sky changes color over the water.
  4. Playa Hermosa and Playa Ocotal: Hermosa has a longer, quieter stretch of sand, while Ocotal has a small cove with calmer snorkeling and rocky shallows. Both are a short ride away.
  5. Sport fishing charters: Boats go out into the gulf for sailfish, mahi-mahi and roosterfish. Splitting a day with other travelers makes it affordable.
Playas del Coco suits a morning dive at the Catalina Islands followed by a sunset on the beachfront, which keeps the afternoon free for resting.
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Things to do near Playas del Coco

Guanacaste Rainforest Safari with Meal

Guanacaste Rainforest Safari with Meal

5.0(64) 6h
From €172
per personViator
ATV Tour Jobo

ATV Tour Jobo

5.0(47) 2h 30m
From €106
per personViator
Private Catamaran Tour Guanacaste Anna Holala Playa Del Coco

Private Catamaran Tour Guanacaste Anna Holala Playa Del Coco

5.0(45) 4h 30m
From €358
per personViator
Sloth tour, Coffee, Chocolate and Tons of Wildlife

Sloth tour, Coffee, Chocolate and Tons of Wildlife

5.0(41) 7h
From €149
per personViator
The Official Craft Beer Tour of Costa Rica

The Official Craft Beer Tour of Costa Rica

5.0(38) 5h
From €135
per personViator
Private Rainforest Tour: Sloths, Hanging Bridges & Coffee

Private Rainforest Tour: Sloths, Hanging Bridges & Coffee

5.0(32)
From €268
per personViator
Tamarindo: Private Zipline, Horse Riding, and Hot Springs Tour

Tamarindo: Private Zipline, Horse Riding, and Hot Springs Tour

5.0(27) 10h
From €200
per personViator
Rainforest Wildlife and Waterfall Combo Tour

Rainforest Wildlife and Waterfall Combo Tour

5.0(27) 6h
From €179
per personViator
Rincon de la Vieja/Santa Maria Hike & Hot Springs

Rincon de la Vieja/Santa Maria Hike & Hot Springs

5.0(25)
From €86
per personViator
Good view mega combo

Good view mega combo

5.0(25) 8h
From €182
per personViator

Ratings based on Tripadvisor reviews. When you book through this link, you support our work at no extra cost to you.

🌤️ When to go?Weather, crowds, and seasonal trade-offs

  • Dry Season (December to April): Playas del Coco sits in Guanacaste, Costa Rica’s driest corner, so expect rain-free days, highs of 31 to 35°C (88 to 95°F) and nights near 23°C (73°F). Dive boats run most days and the bay is calm. Prices peak around Christmas and Easter.
  • Green Season (May to November): Afternoon downpours arrive, usually after lunch, and September and October are the wettest, with highs of 29 to 32°C (84 to 90°F). Mornings are often clear. Rooms and tours drop 20 to 40 percent, and the beach empties.
  • Diving Theme: Bull sharks and rays show up for Bat Islands trips from roughly June to November, though visibility in the bay dips with rain.
  • Daylight: Days run about 11 to 13 hours year-round, so plan beach time before late afternoon.
Book a late November or early May stay to catch cheap rooms and mostly dry mornings.

source: climatestotravel.comJANJanuary: excellent for travelingFEBFebruary: excellent for travelingMARMarch: excellent for travelingAPRApril: highly recommended for travelingMAYMay: fair for travelingJUNJune: fair for travelingJULJuly: fair for travelingAUGAugust: fair for travelingSEPSeptember: below average for travelingOCTOctober: below average for travelingNOVNovember: highly recommended for travelingDECDecember: excellent for traveling
costa-rica-beach-playas-del-coco
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🛏️ Where to stay?How to pick the right area

The streets just behind the main beach strip are where most backpackers stay, because everything sits within a 5 to 10 minute walk of the sand. Dorm beds and basic private rooms here run about US$15 to 25 and US$40 to 70 respectively, and prices climb in the dry season.
The blocks around the central plaza and the pier are the social core. Dive shops, cheap sodas, bars and the small supermarket are all close, and solo travelers meet people easily on dive courses and at evening beachfront tables. It gets loud on weekends, so pick a spot a block or two back if you sleep lightly.
The quieter northern … read more 👉
The streets just behind the main beach strip are where most backpackers stay, because everything sits within a 5 to 10 minute walk of the sand. Dorm beds and basic private rooms here run about US$15 to 25 and US$40 to 70 respectively, and prices climb in the dry season.
The blocks around the central plaza and the pier are the social core. Dive shops, cheap sodas, bars and the small supermarket are all close, and solo travelers meet people easily on dive courses and at evening beachfront tables. It gets loud on weekends, so pick a spot a block or two back if you sleep lightly.
The quieter northern end toward the Hotel El Coco side suits couples and early risers, with less nightlife but still an easy walk to town. Staying on the hillside above town gives sea views and cooler breezes, but the climb back after dark is steep and you will want a taxi. For the best mix of price and company, stay central and inland by a block or two.
Best hostels in Costa Rica


Best quality hotels in Costa Rica

🛡️ SafetyStaying Safe: What Travelers Should Know

Playas del Coco is a calm, well-used bay, and swimming is easy most of the year. The water is sheltered, with small waves and little current, though the tide shifts the shoreline noticeably and low tide exposes rocks and a muddy, dark-sand edge. Locals swim near the pier and the central beach. Boat traffic is heavy in the bay, so stay clear of the pier and moorings. Stingrays are occasional visitors in shallow sand, so shuffle your feet entering the water. The sun is fierce from mid-morning, especially from January to April, so bring reef-safe sunscreen and shade. Afternoon storms in the green season can bring lightning fast, so get out of the water at the first rumble. Petty theft from bags left on the sand and from parked cars is the real risk. Take only what you need, keep valuables with … read more 👉
Playas del Coco is a calm, well-used bay, and swimming is easy most of the year. The water is sheltered, with small waves and little current, though the tide shifts the shoreline noticeably and low tide exposes rocks and a muddy, dark-sand edge. Locals swim near the pier and the central beach. Boat traffic is heavy in the bay, so stay clear of the pier and moorings. Stingrays are occasional visitors in shallow sand, so shuffle your feet entering the water. The sun is fierce from mid-morning, especially from January to April, so bring reef-safe sunscreen and shade. Afternoon storms in the green season can bring lightning fast, so get out of the water at the first rumble. Petty theft from bags left on the sand and from parked cars is the real risk. Take only what you need, keep valuables with you, and avoid walking the dark beach late at night.
Check Country Safety

FAQFrequently asked questions about Playas del Coco

Playas del Coco is about 35 km (22 miles) from Liberia’s Daniel Oduber airport, a 30 to 40 minute drive. A shared shuttle or taxi costs roughly US$35 to 55, and a private transfer is similar. From Liberia’s bus terminal, buses to Playas del Coco run several times a day for around US$2 to 3 and take about 1 hour 15 minutes. From Tamarindo, expect 1.5 to 2 hours by road.
Playas del Coco is best known for diving and snorkeling, and swimming is easy in the sheltered bay. Two-tank dive trips run about US$100 to 130 and head to sites such as Catalina Islands and the Bat Islands. Snorkeling from shore is average because visibility in the bay is modest, so boat tours at roughly US$60 to 90 are better. Surfing is not practical here, and surfers take day boats from the beach to Witch’s Rock and Ollie’s Point, about 45 minutes away.
Yes, Playas del Coco is free to visit, and the public beach has no entry fee or gate. Parking along the street is free, though some informal attendants ask for US$2 to 5 to watch your car. Costs come from extras such as sunbed rental at beachfront bars, dive trips and tours. Showers and toilets near the beach typically cost about US$1 to 2.
⚠️ Things can change over time, so always validate details locally before you go.

Other Costa Rican beaches near Playas del Coco

Explore more nearby:

  • Playa Matapalo (Guanacaste)—Riu resort frontage, dark coarse sand, calm warm water, west-facing sunsets| 6 km away
  • Playa Conchal—Crushed-shell sand, northern rock snorkeling, shallow bay, walk from Brasilito| 21 km away
  • Tamarindo Beach—Learner waves, estuary wildlife, leatherback nesting, sunset drum circles| 32 km away

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We 💚 feedbackKey takeaways before you go

Playas del Coco looks like a loud beach town, but the dive boats leave early and the best sea life is out of sight until you get wet. I would book a dive or snorkel trip for the first morning, then judge the rest of the town by how well you slept.

✈️ When did I visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica I visited during my half year trip through South and Central America back in 2003

✍️ Help improve this page!
The information on this page is based on my own backpacking experience in Costa Rica, supplemented with up-to-date research and feedback from other travelers. Travel details can change, so if you notice anything outdated or incomplete, feel free to let me know.



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