Located in Guanacaste, on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica, Playas Del Coco is the perfect holiday spot. The horseshoe-shaped beach stretches for 3 kilometers across the Gulf of Papagayo.
From wildlife to underwater fun, through to relaxing sunbathing time, Coco Beach has much to offer to both families and solo travelers.
There are over 20 local dive sites in Playas Del Coco within a 10-20 min boat ride, not to mention the close proximity to the Catalina Islands, Bat Island and Coco Island.
With a visibility ranging from 15 to 75ft / 5 to 25m all year round and nutrient-rich waters, you’ll be able to swim with small and larger marine creatures while diving in the gulf of Papagayo.
Wreck divers can explore one of the three shipwrecks at the Tortuga dive site, also make sure to look out for the white-tip sharks calmly napping nearby.
Diving at the Virador dive site, you can explore the shark cave located at approx 10m depth, whilst enjoying schools of grunts and king angelfish swimming nearby.
Monkey Head is a shallow dive site in Coco beach, with a maximum depth of 22m (72 ft.). Cabeza de Mono is best known for its schools of rays.
If you’re looking for close encounters with rays, then we recommend diving at Catalinas Island. If you enjoy the thrill of diving with sharks, hop on a boat to Bat Island (Islas Murciélagos) to dive with the large bull sharks. Strong currents make it a great spot for drift diving in Costa Rica.
Playas Del Coco Diving schools
There are numerous dive schools in Playas Del Coco, ranging from small operations to larger PADI professional Career Centers (CDC). Group size, ratio of instructor to students and type of boats vary from one diving school to another.
Most diving schools in Coco Beach offer a wide range of scuba diving courses, starting from introductory dives all the way to professional training. Some also offer TEC courses, which offer more advanced and challenging training.
How to get to Playas Del Coco
Coco Beach is a 4-hour scenic ride away from the capital, San Jose, which is home to Costa Rica’s main airport. Departing from either the center of San Jose or the airport, many buses link the capital city with Playas Del Coco. A one-way ticket by bus usually cost USD8 and takes about 5 hours.
Only a short ride away from Coco Beach, you may fly to Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport in Liberia. Many resorts and dive centers will offer pick-up transfer to and from the local airport.
Accommodation in Coco Beach
From budget hotels, luxury villas right through to cabinas, accommodation in Playas Del Coco caters for all tourists’ needs and budgets. You can also rent a fully furnished villa.
There are no large resorts or hotel chains, as most hotels are locally-owned. In addition, backpacker hostels and dorms are rare, usually substituted by budget hotels.
Cheapest rooms may be booked for USD20, while luxury rooms may go for over USD100 per night. Mid-range hotels offer rooms for USD40-70. Prices also vary according to the location and the season.
Cost of living in Playas Del Coco
As far as food goes, a coffee will cost you about $3.00. An average meal can cost between $20-$30. A can of coke might cost you $1.50 and a bottle of beer about $3.00.
A taxi trip usually costs between $2-$10 depending on your destination. Some hotels and dive centers offer to help you organise your transfer and pick-up.
Other activities in Coco Beach
As Coco Beach is one of Costa Rica’s best beach destinations, most activities revolve around the water, including sunbathing, scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling !
Apart from water-related activities in Playas Del Coco, there are many beautiful beaches to explore. If you enjoy sunbathing and relaxing on the beach, visit Playa Hermosa, Ocotal, Flamingo, Panama or Jaco Beach to name a few !
If you are more of an adventure lover, try a Jungle Tour. Most of them include adrenaline-pumping zip lines, horse-riding, rock-climbing and such. You will also get the opportunity to discover the local wildlife.
Finally, within a two-hour drive, you will find Rincon de la Vieja, a neighboring dormant volcano, and Lllano de Cortes with it’s impressive waterfall.