Fun Guide: Playas del Coco & Ocotal
For such a typical "sleepy fishing village," Playas del Coco, Costa Rica, offers some of the wildest nightlife in the country.
Over two dozen bars and nightclubs rock all night, every night, in Playas del Coco on the northwest Pacific coast.
And there's also scuba diving, surfing, sportfishing, marlin fishing, sailboat cruises and thrilling rainforest zip line canopy tours.
These are just a few of the fun things to do in this secluded Guanacaste beach town only 20 minutes south of the international airport outside Liberia. More secluded and exclusive, Playa Ocotal is a 15-minute drive from Coco.
Seeking a slender stretch of isolate beach? This area is full of 'em: Playas Panama, Hermosa, Coco and Ocotal are easy to get to but will prove hard to leave
Surfing Safaris
Witch's Rock, the top wave action on the planet, is nearby. The best way to get there is on the bus or a rental 4x4. For more on surfing, click Costa Rica surfing. Click house rental for a cool place to stay in Playa Tamarindo, which is farther south of Playa Coco. (Tamarindo surfing info can be found here.) Sea kayaking, kite surfing and windsurfing are also available in the area or close by.
Sportfishing
The Papagayo Gulf presents a picture perfect place to nail a marlin or sailfish, the ultimate in Costa Rica fishing. WaveDancer, a 45-footer, is the top boat in town from April through October (it's in Quepos the rest of the year)
WaveDancer usually fishes around the Bat Islands and Catalina, maybe 20 miles offshore, but can go where the fish are biting that day. For more info, click Costa Rica sportfishing
Sailing Cruises and Spas
Don Bosco, a 65-foot luxury sailboat, cruises out from La Vida Loca every Sunday. A highly recommended way to relax and see the beaches from the sea. Another way to relax is with a rainforest massage or a full treatment at Fusion Natural Spa, situated on a lovely hilltop.This is the country’s top spa, and they are expanding to offer more body wraps, facials and aerobics by the sea.
Scuba diving and Snorkeling
Scuba divers and snorkelers will thrill at the sight of exotic coral and the wide array of marine life, from manta rays to sharks, that fill the waters off nearby Catalina Island and the Bats
National Parks and Canopy Tours
Your closest National Park is Rincon de la Vieja, dubbed the "Yellowstone of Costa Rica" for its geysers, steam vents and mud pots. You can also reach Volcan Arenal, Santa Rosa or Las Baulas National Marine Park from Coco, Flamingo or Tamarindo on a day trip. See National Parks for info on others around the country. The Congo Trail Canopy Tour is only minutes from the town. Look for the area's famous Howler Monkeys or mono congos as they are called locally.
info@costaricauncovered.com contact us for more info.
Pato Loco is a more secluded beach hotel with big European-style rooms and gardens. Los Almendros has seventeen villas with spectacular ocean views and lush tropical gardens. Hotel Villa Flores is a nine-room B&B that's a five-minute walk to the beach. La Flor de Itabo has standard and luxury rooms for five to seven people
Getting There
Driving east from the city, you'll find the turn off about a mile before reaching Cartago. There are local buses on the weekends, and most local tourism agencies book day trips all week long. Keep in mind the high altitude and don't overexert yourself. Also, bring a long sleeved shirt or a sweater.
