* This article was updated in May 2024, based on our recent repeat visits.
Playas del Coco is one of the oldest beach community settlements in Costa Rica with good infrastructure and amenities. But, all the infrastructure and amenities also come with a lot of development by the beachside, which brings crowds of people to Coco beach.
But, what if you like to have access to the amenities but want to visit secluded beaches too? We have got you covered!
While you stay in town, you can still visit some beautiful secluded beaches near Playas del Coco in Guanacaste.
These beaches are within 15-30 minutes of driving distance from Playas del Coco, and also from Playa Hermosa. Some of them may require a bit of walking on unpaved terrain while for others, you can park your vehicle just next to the beach.
In this article, we are going to share why we loved these 5 beaches, and the little details you need to know to plan your visit.
When You are in Playa del Coco
Playa del Coco Visit Guide: 20 Things to Do in Playa del Coco
✓ Our Top Picks – Things to Do (apart from visiting beaches)
- Waterfall Hike: Catarata La Leona (Get 5% discount with coupon code paradise)
- Ocean Activities: Snorkeling and Sunset Sailing Catamaran Tour
- Nature Pass: Rincon de la Vieja – Secondary Volcanic Activities, Hot Springs, Waterfalls
✓ Best Way to Get Around: Self-drive. Check our Costa Rica Car Rental Deal.
How to Get to the Beaches near Playa del Coco
As we said, Playa del Coco is a developed town with modern amenities. So, you can book Uber from Coco to get to the beaches nearby.
However, for beach hopping with convenient commuting and flexible schedule, we recommend you to self-drive to the spots. The drives are not difficult, and on paved roads.
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Read this: Should you rent a car in Costa Rica?
Playa Bonita
Of all the beaches near Playas del Coco, Playa Bonita is hands down our favorite!
Driving till the end of the road followed by a short walk down a rugged hill will take you to this secret cove where white sand and azure waters wait.
The day we visited, we were the only 2 people on the beach for the most part. So, Playa Bonita seemed like an ideal romantic spot to station ourselves on the beach, and absorb the sights of ocean waves splashing on rocks and the sounds of rustling leaves.
* 2024 Update: We recently went to Playa Bonita with two friends during a weekend. One more time, we found the whole beach all to ourselves. We hung out under the tree shades on the beach, spotted small fish in the tiny tide pools in the rocks and went swimming in the ocean. We did not spot anyone around us, until almost when we were about to leave. A couple had just arrived at another corner of Playa Bonita and were setting up their den for the day.
Insider Tip: There is a hilltop condominium construction project going on by the Bonita beach. After the project is completed, although there will still be public access to the beach (required by Costa Rica law), the raw and rugged charm of an isolated secret beach may not remain. So, visit Playa Bonita now!
* 2024 Update: The condominium project is still underway. So, Playa Bonita is still as rugged as before. Visit this beach now to witness its raw charm.
Quick Facts about Playa Bonita:
- Distance from Coco: 13 km / 8 miles
- Parking: On the road. Unguarded.
- 4X4 required: No.
- Walking: Less than 10 minutes. On unpaved rough terrain.
- Entrance fees: No.
- Restaurants: No.
- Restrooms: No.
This is the Google Maps location of Playa Bonita.
Related Reading: Packing List for Costa Rica
Playa Buena
Playa Buena is next to the adults-only all-inclusive resort Occidental Papagayo.
So, you will need to drive up to the resort, park your vehicle on the roadside, and then take the paved public access path to the beach. It is a short 3 minutes walk ending at a beautiful beach with calm waters.
The early morning mood at Playa Buena is very calm. Hermit crabs and snails hide in the sand, howler monkeys hangout at the trees and iguanas graze the grasses. The ocean water is warm, and is so clear and transparent that we could see fish from above!
Indranil merrily stood still in the water as the fish fed on the skin on his feet.
As the day progresses, more resort guests come out on the beach to lounge on their beach chairs or to get massages under the shades of the trees.
* 2024 Update: We recently visited Playa Buena again, this time a little later in the morning, around 10:00 am. Yes, there were few more people, including families, at the beach, compared to our previous visit. Still the overall vibe at Playa Buena was peaceful.
Insider Tip: When facing the beach, turn left and walk to the end. During low tide, you can get further in by walking on the rocky surfaces protruding from the ocean. This part of Playa Buena is even quieter, and you get beautiful new perspectives of the surrounding scenery.
Quick Facts about Playa Buena:
- Distance from Coco: 13 km / 8 miles.
- Parking: On the road. Unguarded.
- Walking: Less than 5 minutes.
- 4X4 required: No.
- Entrance fees: No.
- Restaurants: No.
- Restrooms: No.
This is the Google Maps location of Playa Buena.
Related reading: Things to Do in Costa Rica
Playa Calzón de Pobre
A sharp turn from the main road on to a dirt rugged path through a private property – that is exactly how you can reach Playa Calzón de Pobre. Even before you reach the beach, the views along the way are alluring enough to pull up the car, get down and take in the breathtaking views of the bays.
* 2024 Update: The path within the private property is now paved. So, even after taking the turn off the main road, you continue diving on good roads.
As you drive, on the left, you will see views of Coco Bay and on the right, Hermosa Bay, until you reach a parking lot.
After a certain point, the road condition gets worse and is mostly downhill to the parking lot.
* 2024 Update: The road conditions are fine and there is no driving downhill. After driving for a bit, you arrive at a fork. You will see a sign board here. The left will take you towards Playa Penca. But for Playa Calzón de Pobre, this is where you need to park. The rest of the route is blocked by the construction company. They also charge you a fee of 2000 colones for parking the vehicle here.
The beach is beautiful and what looks like could have been a little secret. But it is not. Many tour boats stop by this beach.
There are also large groups of locals who come and set up den for the day for beach picnic. So, you may find many people at this beach, particularly on weekends and holidays. Yet you can find a spot for yourself on the beach and enjoy the beauty of Playa Calzón de Pobre.
Quick Facts about Playa Calzón de Pobre:
- Distance from Coco: 10 km / 7 miles.
- Parking: Yes. Guarded.
- Walking: 10-15 minutes. On unpaved road.
- 4X4 required: No.
- Entrance fees: No.
- Restaurants: No.
- Restrooms: No.
This is the Google Maps location of Calzón de Pobre.
Related Reading: Best Time to Visit Costa Rica
Playa Penca
From Playa Calzón de Pobre, you need to return to the parking lot and continue driving on the same road until you reach the next parking lot near Playa Penca. It is a short 10 minutes walk from this parking area. The road is unpaved, rough in stretches and has uphill and downhill.
* 2024 Update: There is a construction project going on, so you cannot drive all the way. See photo below. You need to park the vehicle on the side of the road, and get walking. The construction workers ask for a fee for allowing visitors to park there, and say they will keep an eye on the vehicle. They do not specify an amount. This is the only way you can get to Playa Penca now.
Similar to Calzón de Pobre beach, Playa Penca also seems to be a beach that should have been kept a secret but in reality is known to a lot of people. However, since the beach here is much bigger than Calzón de Pobre, the crowd also seems spread out.
This one is our second favorite from all the beaches near Playas del Coco. The trees form pretty frames of this white sand azure water beach. The ocean water at Penca is also very inviting, we had a great time playing in the warm waters.
* 2024 Update: Because of all the cranes and dust and machines we see on the way due to construction, we are not sure if Playa Penca is still among our top favorite beaches near Playa del Coco.
Quick Facts about Playa Penca:
- Distance from Coco: 11 km / 7 miles
- Parking: On the road.
- Walking: Less than 10 minutes.
- 4X4 required: No.
- Entrance fees: No.
- Restaurants: No.
- Restrooms: No.
This is the Google Maps location of Playa Penca.
Related Reading: Costa Rica Itinerary from Liberia
Playa Ocotal
Only a short 10-12 minutes drive away from the bustling beach town of Coco, lies this black sand beauty, Playa Ocotal.
Although it is very close to Playas del Coco, it has a very different character – black sand beach and clear blue ocean water. With its serene setting and calm atmosphere, we find Playa Octotal a perfect place for spending a beach day on your own.
After you are done chilling at the beach, you can grab a drink and have a bite at the Father Rooster restaurant, part of one of the last remaining beachfront hacienda homes in the region.
Our local friends tell us that the snorkeling at Playa Ocotal is good. In and around the Coco area, you will find many snorkeling excursions and tours where they will take you on a boat to visit different reefs for snorkeling and some islands. But if you are looking for some independent snorkeling without a tour, remember to bring your snorkeling gear when you visit Ocotal beach.
* 2024 Update: We recently visited Playa Ocotal again, and loved it just as much as our first time here. We think this one is our new second favorite among the beaches near Playa del Coco, triumphantly replacing Playa Penca.
Quick Facts about Playa Ocotal:
- Distance from Coco: 4 km / 2.5 miles
- Parking: On the road. Tip the guy watching the cars on the road.
- Walking: Less than a minute.
- 4X4 required: No.
- Entrance fees: No.
- Restaurants: Yes.
- Restrooms: At restaurants.
This is the Google Maps location of Playa Ocotal.
Bonus Tip: Vantage Sunset Point
While writing about beaches around Playas del Coco, we have to tell you about a cool spot from where you can enjoy a lovely sunset.
Of course, there are many in the area, could be from the beach or could be from a sunset view lounge bar. But this one stands out because it gives you an aerial view of the Coco Bay in the golden hour light and to access this place costs zero bucks.
From the main road, you need to take the same turn as you would to go to Playa Calzón de Pobre or Playa Penca. But instead of going all the way, you will notice several cars parked and people gathered at one place. That is your cue.
Park the vehicle, walk near the edge, take a few steps up to find a vantage spot with your choice of view overlooking the Coco Bay, sit down, grab a drink (and your camera!) and enjoy the dramatic colors as the sun sets.
* 2024 Update: When we visited recently, we did not find as many vehicle parked, even during the weekend. So, in case you are not sure where to get off your car, look for a green screen on the left with four big black water tanks behind it. See photos below for reference. There is a board saying it is a private property. But also, there is an opening which people take to go up the hill. This seems to be a designated path to get to the viewpoint.
For a sign of where to stop your vehicle for going to the sunset viewpoint, check for these water tanks behind the green screen.
Explore more of Guanacaste Province in Costa Rica
National park, volcano, hot springs, waterfalls
- Rincon de la Vieja National Park – Las Pailas Trail
- Rincon de la Vieja National Park – La Cangreja Waterfall
- Rio Negro Hot Springs and Waterfalls
- Oropendola waterfall
Beaches in Guanacaste
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