A stellar aspect of staying in Playas del Coco is its proximity to numerous attractions. Not only are several stunning beaches nearby, but you can also fill your trip with a variety of activities every single day.
Journeying from island to forest or beach to volcano can be achieved within hours! Playas del Coco serves as an excellent base for exploring Guanacaste, and there are many exciting day trips you can embark on from here.
If you’re seeking fun excursions from Coco, these are some of our top picks for day trips from Playas del Coco.
Catarata Llanos de Cortes
Llanos de Cortes is a favorite waterfall in Costa Rica, where we often bring our friends and family. This waterfall boasts multiple cascades and a large swimming pool. It’s nestled within the forest, so well-hidden that you might drive past it on the InterAmerican highway without noticing. This isolation makes it our little oasis and a perfect destination for a refreshing day trip, especially in the hot season!
Important Note: Sitting on the rocks under the water is now prohibited.
Start your day with a refreshing morning visit to one of Costa Rica’s stunning waterfalls. Spend a few hours soaking in the serene atmosphere and admiring the natural beauty of the cascading waters. Afterward, head to Liberia for a delightful lunch at one of the local restaurants, where you can savor authentic Costa Rican cuisine.
In the afternoon, choose between two thrilling adventures to complete your day. For adrenaline seekers, Diamante Eco Adventure Park offers an exhilarating ziplining experience, allowing you to soar over the canopy and take in breathtaking views of the lush surroundings. Alternatively, head to Rincon de la Vieja National Park for a short hike to the boiling mud pots trail. This geothermal wonderland showcases the diverse natural beauty of Costa Rica and concludes with a visit to a breathtaking waterfall.
Guachipelin Adventure Combo Tour
For adventure enthusiasts, a combo adventure tour is a must-do! These tours rank among the best day trips from Playas del Coco. Several parks, located about an hour’s drive from Coco, offer slightly different but equally thrilling activities.
The Guachipelin combo tour includes a canopy tour, white water tubing, horseback riding, visits to waterfalls, and access to a separate hot spring and mud baths. This is a favorite of ours!
Buena Vista combo tour offers a canopy tour, waterslide, horseback riding, a waterfall, hanging bridges, and their own hot spring and mud baths. More details can be found in this post.
Borinquen, located on a hotel property, features its own canopy tour, hiking trails, spa treatments, mud baths, hot springs, and a waterfall. Discover more about Borinquen on Day 2 in this article.
Rio Perdido also offers similar activities. Our experience with river tubing and hot springs at Rio Perdido was delightful, and the hot springs and pools were spectacular.
Rainforest Sloth Tour
Eager to see tropical rainforests and wild sloths? This day trip is ideal for you! The adventure includes a walk through a private reserve with primary rainforest, followed by a visit to a second reserve to spot sloths.
It’s only a 2-hour drive one way from Coco, making it a manageable and rewarding excursion.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
For hiking enthusiasts, Rincon de la Vieja National Park is a fantastic spot for various hiking experiences. The Las Pailas sector, approximately a 1 hour and 20-minute drive from Playas del Coco, features several trails catering to different skill levels, making it ideal for a day of exploring beautiful natural scenery.
For an easy hike, the boiling mud pots trail is a great option. This flat, less-than-a-mile loop takes you around steaming and bubbling mud pots, providing a sensory experience with the sights and smells of the active volcano.
For those seeking a more challenging hike, the Catarata La Cangreja trail is highly recommended. This 4-kilometer (2.5-mile) path each way traverses the tropical dry forest, culminating at a stunning waterfall. This waterfall hike ranks among our favorites in Costa Rica.
For a more adventurous outing, check out the Catarata La Leona waterfall in Curubande. Although it’s close to Rincon de la Vieja National Park, it’s a lesser-known local gem.
Beach Exploration
Several fantastic beaches are accessible from Playas del Coco, which is why renting a car in Guanacaste is recommended. Public transportation is limited, making a car essential for discovering the many gorgeous, lesser-known beaches that are only reachable by vehicle. During the rainy season, a 4×4 is advisable.
Closest to Coco:
Playa Hermosa, Playa Ocotal, Playa Panama. These are just a 5-15 minute drive.
“Hidden beaches” (4×4 required):
Playa Cabuyal, Playa Iguanita, Playa Penca, Playa Bonita.
Around 1 hour drive:
Playa Conchal, Playa Brasilito, Playa Grande, Playa Flamingo, Playa Avellanas.
Tamarindo Surfing
For those interested in learning to surf, Tamarindo is the go-to beach for beginners. Located an hour’s drive south, it also offers a chance to explore another popular Costa Rican beach town. Numerous surf shops like Iguana Surf, Witch’s Rock, Neptuno, and Mateo’s provide lessons. For groups larger than three, private classes are recommended for personalized attention, making it a fun experience for the entire family.
You can spend the remainder of your day exploring Tamarindo.
Witch’s Rock
For intermediate to advanced surfers, Witch’s Rock is a must-visit. This iconic surf spot is situated inside Santa Rosa National Park and is about a 45-minute boat ride from Playas del Coco. Several companies offer surf trips to Witch’s Rock (contact us for a quote).
Rio Celeste (Tenorio Volcano National Park)
One of Costa Rica’s most magical locations is Rio Celeste, located at the Guanacaste/Alajuela border. This sky-blue river within the Tenorio Volcano National Park offers a mesmerizing hike through the park to witness the waterfall and vibrant blue river.
It’s roughly a 2-hour drive from Playas del Coco, making it a must-visit. You can hike the park independently if you have a car. Otherwise, you’ll need to book a tour, typically costing around $140-150 USD per person for a minimum of 2-3 people. Detailed information can be found in our Rio Celeste guide.
Ostional Wildlife Refuge
To witness sea turtles in Costa Rica, head to the Ostional Wildlife Refuge, approximately a two-hour drive from Playas del Coco. This site is one of the world’s critical nesting locations for Olive Ridley sea turtles, with hundreds of thousands of turtles coming ashore to lay eggs.
The best time to visit is during the green season’s arribada, the peak period when most turtles come ashore. During an arribada, you can witness thousands of sea turtles digging nests and laying eggs.
Additionally, you can see baby turtles hatching and making their way to the sea. The major arribadas typically occur from July to December.
To enter the Ostional Refuge, it’s essential to note that reservations and a certified guide are mandatory, as per pandemic regulations. Reach out to the Ostional Guide Association through their Facebook page to secure reservations or opt for a certified tour company that can facilitate the booking process and provide a knowledgeable guide.
Tip:A 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended for visiting Ostional from Coco due to the road conditions.
Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park stands out as a vital conservation area in Costa Rica, safeguarding the rare and fascinating tropical dry forest ecosystem. This extraordinary habitat, teeming with diverse wildlife and thousands of bird species, presents a one-of-a-kind adventure. Embark on a scenic boat tour along the Rio Tempisque, offering opportunities to spot crocodiles, an array of bird species, iguanas, frogs, monkeys, and explore 15 distinct habitats.
Located about an hour and a half drive from Playas del Coco, you can dive deeper into Palo Verde National Park details here.
Tours
There are no boat tours or guides available directly at the park. You’ll need to arrange for a tour company that includes transportation. If you have a car, you can meet the tour company at the park. Find more information in the link above or contact us to help arrange the boat tour.
Hacienda El Viejo
For a more exclusive experience, visit Hacienda El Viejo Wetlands. Boat rides on the Tempisque River through their private wildlife refuge, cultural tours, and a rum tour are available. This combination provides a full day of nature, culture, and wildlife.
Diamante Adventure Park
Seeking adventure? Diamante Eco Adventure Park, a 30-minute drive from Playas del Coco, is known for its top-notch canopy tours, including a Superman zipline over 1 kilometer long with a stunning ocean view!
The zipline finishes at an animal sanctuary with jaguars, sloths, toucans, and more. Walk through the botanical garden for spectacular views of the Guanacaste coast.
The park also offers a cultural experience with presentations on Costa Rican coffee, sugar cane, and chocolate. It’s an excellent day trip from Playas del Coco without a long drive!
This is also a top activity if you’re staying at the Riu Guanacaste Hotel, situated right next door.
Snorkeling/Scuba Diving/Boating
Gulf of Papagayo’s boat trip stands out as our top excursion choice from Playas del Coco, offering an unforgettable adventure. This personalized journey invites you to explore the Gulf’s hidden treasures, including snorkeling in crystal-clear waters, discovering secluded white sand beaches, and encountering an array of marine life, such as rays, dolphins, turtles and majestic humpback whales.
A private boating tour offers a personalized, exclusive experience where you can set your schedule. While open sailing tours are available, they typically visit only one beach and share the boat with 20-70 people.
For private boat trips, we recommend our friend Marcy, who owns a boating company. He can arrange boating, surfing, fishing, snorkeling, and beach-hopping tours. Click here for more on boating in Playas del Coco and to request a quote.
If you’re a scuba diver, this region is excellent for diving trips to Monkey Head, Tortuga Islands, and the Bat Islands, where you might see hammerhead sharks and manta rays. Dive shops in Coco include Summer Salt, Rich Coast Diving, Deep Blue Dive, and Rocket Frog.
Arenal/Monteverde
Arenal and Monteverde are renowned destinations in Costa Rica, located about a 4-hour drive from Coco. While a bit distant, they offer unique experiences—rainforest and volcano at Arenal, cloud forest at Monteverde.
You can either explore on your own or book with a tour company that arranges transportation and activities. A day trip from Coco costs around $170 per person. Tours are convenient since they handle planning and driving.
Spending a night or two in these areas is ideal, but a day trip provides a great overview of Costa Rica’s diverse natural landscapes and micro-climates.
Arenal tours typically include breakfast, a short hike, lunch, and hot springs. Monteverde tours often cover breakfast, a cloud forest walk, and lunch. Customize your tour to fit your interests.
Nicaragua
Playas del Coco is just a 2.5-hour drive from the Costa Rica-Nicaragua border, making it an excellent opportunity for a one-day Nicaragua tour. This tour explores Managua, Masaya, Granada, Lake Apoyo, and Lake Nicaragua, offering a snapshot of Nicaragua’s beauty and culture.
White Water Rafting
The Tenorio River, about a 1.5-hour drive from Playas del Coco, offers exhilarating white water rafting through Class 2, 3, and 4 rapids. This adventure through the rainforest is a top outdoor activity in Costa Rica.
Where to Stay in Playas del Coco
Budget:
Hotel M&M – beachfront with hostel-like vibes. No AC, great for short stays. Toro Blanco offers AC and slightly pricier rooms, suitable for families with a pool and kitchen facilities.
Luxury:
Villa Buena Onda – Situated in the hills, this adult-only hotel provides stunning views of all of Coco. It’s perfect for couples and honeymooners seeking a romantic getaway.
Mid-range:
Hotel Puerto del Sol – Close to the beach and town, this renovated hotel offers a pool, restaurant, and spacious rooms, making it a convenient and comfortable mid-range option.
Hopefully, this list provided plenty of ideas for incredible day trips from Playas del Coco. These recommendations are also suitable for guests staying at the Hotel Riu Guanacaste, located about 30 minutes from Coco.
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