- Playa del CocoGray sand, the fleet pulled up on it, and almost no shade by noon. It is a town beach. It is not a green cove, so do the swim in the morning.
- Fishing fleetThe boats sit on the sand in town. You can watch them come and go. This is not a trip out to an island. Ask if you want tomorrow's departure.
- Playa OcotalThe quiet dark cove just south, better water for a mask, a short ride. Morning is when it is clear. This town beach is the fleet, not the dive.
- Playa Hermosa de CocoA calm bay just north, and not the heavy surf beach south of Jaco that shares the name. Swim it in the morning. The wind is what roughs it up.
- Catalina IslandsA boat, not a shore snorkel. They leave ahead of the wind. Ask the night before, bring water, and do not try to swim out from the sand.
- Bahía CulebraThe sheltered bay on the peninsula, north of town. You are not in a shore break. Access is often through a gate. Morning is the flat water.
- Congo trailCongo means howler. Walk the trail slowly in the morning and look up. By noon the heat has emptied the dry forest. Stay on the path.
- Main-beach sunsetPeople stand on the gray sand for the sunset. Come a little early if you want to sit. The fleet pulled up on the beach is part of the view.
- Snorkeling covesRocky coves south of town, not the gray main sand. The mask is a morning tool. Later the wind turns the water milky and you are guessing.
- Witch's Rock day tripA boat day north to the rock and the beach beside it. Start in the morning. There is nothing to buy out there, and the ride back meets the wind.
Playas del Coco, Costa Rica
Coco Beach, also called Playa del Coco, is one of the most visited towns in Costa Rica. The water is blue-gray here, not the blue-green of the bays nearby. From the gray sand you can book sport fishing, sailing, snorkeling, and scuba diving, or do nothing more than watch the fleet come home.
This week: Highs 28–32°C, lows 24–25°C.
About 67 mm of rain.
Climate: The climate is tropical dry. It is hot, about 28–33°C. Little rain falls from December to April. Afternoon showers fall from May to November.
Attractions: The main attractions are Playa del Coco, Fishing fleet, Playa Ocotal, Playa Hermosa de Coco, Catalina Islands, Bahía Culebra, Congo trail, Main-beach sunset, Snorkeling coves, and Witch's Rock day trip.
Nearby:Playa Ocotal|Playa Hermosa de Guanacaste|Papagayo|Playa Potrero|Playa Flamingo
Towns near Playas del Coco
Playa Ocotal, Costa Rica
A quiet bay south of Playas del Coco, used more for diving.
Playa Hermosa de Guanacaste, Costa Rica
A calm bay near Playas del Coco, half an hour from Liberia.
Papagayo, Costa Rica
Calm bays on a resort peninsula, about half an hour from the Liberia airport.
Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
A small fishing bay, 45 minutes from Liberia.
Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
A Blue Flag beach, marina below, houses on the hill.
Playa Conchal, Costa Rica
The beach is crushed shell, and the golf course sits on the hill above it.
Playa Grande, Costa Rica
The long beach north of Tamarindo, where leatherbacks nest.
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
The town sits on the sand. Evenings fill up for the sunset.
Playa Langosta, Costa Rica
Rocky points and sandy coves just south of Tamarindo.
Playa Avellanas, Costa Rica
A surf beach south of Tamarindo, with forest behind the sand.
Nosara, Costa Rica
Guiones is the long surf beach. Pelada, just north, is the sheltered place to swim.
Playa Guiones, Costa Rica
The long surf beach at Nosara, forest behind the sand.
Bijagua, Costa Rica
A small town west of the lake, for the blue water at Río Celeste.
Sámara, Costa Rica
A small beach town with a dirt main street and calm water for a swim.
Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica
The north shore of Lake Arenal, volcano across the water.
Sámara, Costa Rica
A small beach town with a dirt main street and calm water for a swim.
Nuevo Arenal, Costa Rica
The north shore of Lake Arenal, volcano across the water.
Monteverde, Costa Rica
Cloud forest you walk into: tall trees, vines, moss, and mist.