Playas del Coco, Costa Rica

Coco Beach, Costa Rica, is located in the Guanacaste province. Much to the surprise of many visitors, in this region the rain slows down from December through April causing much of the jungle trees to lose their leaves and for the grass to turn brown.

The heavy Papagayo winds in the dry months are also a bit of a surprise to guests, but these same winds have a lovely cooling effect especially while you are relaxing in the sun.

With the dry season comes the busy tourist season too, but here's a secret: Guanacaste is a nice place to visit year round. Yes, the dry season is a nice reprieve from the Northern Hemisphere's cold winter, but during the months of May through November the jungle is thick and green from the almost daily rain showers.

You're probably a little concerned about the daily rain showers I just mentioned. Well, don't be. During the rainy season the sun still shines most every day leaving plenty of time for water activities and other fun things to do in Coco Beach, Costa Rica

So the saying, whichever way the wind blows holds true here. If you are flexible to the weather and the environment, then you will find numerous activities and resorts to enjoy during your stay.

The waterfalls at the national park of Rincon de la Vieja and the Llano de Cortes waterfall (just outside of Liberia) are two popular waterfalls within only an hour's drive of Coco Beach.

However, anytime you are near a river or a creek ask around about waterfalls. There seem to be an abundance of them- small and large - throughout the country in hidden (and not so hidden) places. In Guanacaste some of those waterfalls stop running during the dry months, but even a dry waterfall is a site to see.

Something about the rush of the water falling from a ledge and the swirling pool beneath it that creates an exhilarating experience. Here's a travel tip: Bring your water shoes. Often times these natural pools are rocky and cold! A pair of rubber water shoes can turn a slippery and foot numbing experience into a fun and refreshing treat.

Oh yeah, and don't forget your camera.



Photo credit El Verde Misterioso

It's not just Coco Beach, Costa Rica that is worth a visit, its all of the surrounding beaches that thousands of people come to see too. All beaches are public - even if there is a hotel or resort that maintains the beach.

Because Coco Beach is on the Pacific side of the country the water is not always clear, but there is an abundance of sea life. In fact, Coco Beach is very popular among snorkelers and SCUBA divers because of the large sea life that can be seen, i.e. manta rays, schools of tuna, turtles, and octopus.

Beaches less than 10 minutes away from downtown Coco Beach

• Ocotal Beach - Black sand and excellent snorkeling


• Hermosa Beach - Fun waves and beautiful sunsets

Beaches less than 30 minutes away from downtown Coco Beach

• Panama Beach - Long stretches of sand and shallow waters make it excellent for families.


• The various resorts of the Papagayo Peninsula - Treat yourself to an afternoon at the Four Seasons or the Hilton, for example.

Beaches within an hour of downtown Coco Beach

• Sugar - Fine, white sand and snorkeling


• Tamarindo - Shopping and nightlife too


• Conchal - Crush shells and pink sand


• Flamingo and Grande - Surf beaches

This is not a complete list of the beaches near Coco, but it gives you an idea of the variety of things to do in Coco Beach, Costa Rica.

1 - "Tico" is used to refer to anything Costa Rican, including people. For example, "Ask the Tica who lives next door?" Tica for feminine and Tico for masculine.

2 - Gallo pinto is the traditional Tico food. It is essentially rice and beans.

3 - Most beer in Costa Rica is a very light lager. Pilsen, Bavaria, and Imperial are the most common brands.

4 - Don't expect the roads to be all that well-maintained in Costa Rica. Even in Coco Beach you'll find a lot of dirt roads and bumpy paved roads. While the government hasn't invested in the roads, they have invested in health care and schools, which both have a good reputation.

5 - Costa Rica has not had a military since the 1960s. The country is often referred to as the "Switzerland of Central America."

6 - Spanish is the official language in Costa Rica. It is expected that you address someone using the formal "usted" (you). Also, most everyone will greet you saying "Buenos Dias" instead of "Hola."

7 - 99% of Costa Ricans claim to be Catholic. However, the number of Ticos that actually practice Catholicism is much lower.

8 - The dress in Costa Rica is very casual and much like you would see in North America during the summer months. Women often wear tight clothing and tank tops. The saying "If you got it, flaunt it" is taken seriously here.

9 - The coffee is inexpensive and delicious...you'll see.