In the print dialog pick “Save as PDF” to keep it on your phone. A5 makes a pocket booklet; A4 suits a desk printer.
Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Playas del Coco
Spend 2–3 days in Playas del Coco: enough for beach time, a boat trip, and a day trip to Rincon de la Vieja.
Playas del Coco is a small beach town in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, about 30 min by taxi from Liberia Airport and 4 h by road from San José. The town offers a main beach, easy boat hires, nearby cleaner beaches (Ocotal, Hermosa) and access to Rincon de la Vieja volcano, waterfalls and zip‑line tours. A 2‑day stay covers the main beach, a boat excursion and a day‑trip to the volcano area; a third day adds a surf‑or‑snorkel outing at Tamarindo or a wildlife tour at Ocotal.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr (dry season)
- Avoid
- May–Nov (rainy season, especially Sep–Oct)
- Stay
- 2–3 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡12,000–₡18,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡18,000–₡30,000 excl. bed · High ₡30,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Coffee at a café | ₡800–₡1,200 |
| Meal (local restaurant) | ₡2,500–₡5,000 |
| Beer (bottle) | ₡1,200–₡2,000 |
| Taxi short trip (≤5 km (3.1 mi))Taxi short trip (≤3.1 mi (5 km)) | US$2–$5 |
| Boat rental (hour) | US$30–$50 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIR · Liberia International Airport
- 30 min taxi to town
Typical fares
- Liberia Airport → Playas del Coco, taxi
- about US$2–5, 30 min (check)
- Car rental (4‑day, basic)
- ≈ ₡25,000 per day (check)
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Taxis (US$2‑10 per short trip) are the easiest for a few days; rental car (4×4 optional) needed for trips beyond 30 km (19 mi) such as Rincon de la Vieja (1.5 h drive). Local buses run between Coco and nearby beaches but are often crowded.Taxis (US$2‑10 per short trip) are the easiest for a few days; rental car (4×4 optional) needed for trips beyond 19 mi (30 km) such as Rincon de la Vieja (1.5 h drive). Local buses run between Coco and nearby beaches but are often crowded.
See and do
Known for
- Boat trips to Gorilla Rock
- Nearby Rincon de la Vieja volcano
- Nightlife and casinos
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Rincon de la Vieja volcano area | Rent a car or join a tour; 1.5 h drive | ≈3 h round trip |
| Ocotal beach (wildlife tour) | Taxi or rental car; 5‑10 min drive | ≈30 min total |
| Tamarindo surf beach | Car or bus; about 1 h drive | ≈2 h total |
Sleep
- Cabinas Coco Azul Guanacaste
- Backpackers; cabins & apartments, low cost
- The Palms At Coco Beach
- Pool, restaurant; popular with Europeans
- Coco Cabinas
- 2 apartments, US$50‑100 per night
- Serena Suites
- 2‑bedroom condos, $100 approx, pool
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis-KOOL-peh |
| Thank you | Graciasgra-SEE-as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?KWAHN-toh KWEHS-tah |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Taxis can vary widely in price; ask for the "Tico price".
- Rental cars are targeted by thieves; never leave valuables inside.
- Some boat operators overcharge; negotiate before boarding.
Coco is generally safe for tourists; petty theft targets rental cars and beach bags. Keep valuables hidden, use licensed taxis, and stay in well‑lit areas at night.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Playas del Coco yet. Suggested stay: 2–3 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Boat trips to Gorilla Rock
- Nearby Rincon de la Vieja volcano
- Nightlife and casinos
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Playas del Coco: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Playas del Coco, revision 5326423 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5326423
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Playas del Coco
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police911
US consulate in Liberia (check address).
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/playas-del-coco). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.