Guidebook for Playa Hermosa
Food Scene
Beachfront restaurant straight outta paradise. Spend the day here sipping mojitos or come here for a delicious dinner, this is THE place to be on the beach! protip: try the Chili Guaro, it's the best I've had in the country!
55 locals raden deze aan
Aquasport Bar & Restaurant
Beachfront restaurant straight outta paradise. Spend the day here sipping mojitos or come here for a delicious dinner, this is THE place to be on the beach! protip: try the Chili Guaro, it's the best I've had in the country!
Asian fusion tapas in Playa Hermosa's most upscale restaurant. Everything is delicious, you can't go wrong with their menu nor their wine list.
64 locals raden deze aan
Ginger Restaurant Bar
Asian fusion tapas in Playa Hermosa's most upscale restaurant. Everything is delicious, you can't go wrong with their menu nor their wine list.
Typical Costa Rican food, well made and well-priced. Come get your rice & beans for the day!
Hotel Mangaby
Typical Costa Rican food, well made and well-priced. Come get your rice & beans for the day!
Delicious Lebanese food! The potatoes are magical, and the falafel is to die for.
18 locals raden deze aan
Le Coq
Main StreetDelicious Lebanese food! The potatoes are magical, and the falafel is to die for.
A tiny hole-in-the-wall taco shop with the best tacos in town. Owned by a couple from Canada, cool beans all around! (literally & figuratively)
Chorotacos
A tiny hole-in-the-wall taco shop with the best tacos in town. Owned by a couple from Canada, cool beans all around! (literally & figuratively)
Hands down, the best Gallo Pinto in Coco. What's Gallo Pinto? Go there and try it! It's a Costa Rican classic.
18 locals raden deze aan
Congo Cafe, Arte & Diseño
Hands down, the best Gallo Pinto in Coco. What's Gallo Pinto? Go there and try it! It's a Costa Rican classic.
Our local pizzeria, good Italian thin crust pizza for delivery, pickup, or to eat in restaurant. Also all kinds of other Italian food on offer, it's tasty!
Bocelli's Pizza
Our local pizzeria, good Italian thin crust pizza for delivery, pickup, or to eat in restaurant. Also all kinds of other Italian food on offer, it's tasty!
The best vegan restaurant in the country! It's quite far, but if you find yourself in Nosara at any point in your travels, I recommend this place 1000%
LuvBurger Nosara
The best vegan restaurant in the country! It's quite far, but if you find yourself in Nosara at any point in your travels, I recommend this place 1000%
Drinks & Nightlife
This place is the best place to go to dance the night away, but don't let that fool you, this is no one-trick pony; the food is amazing, and the kitchen is open late!
114 locals raden deze aan
Zi Lounge
This place is the best place to go to dance the night away, but don't let that fool you, this is no one-trick pony; the food is amazing, and the kitchen is open late!
The bar with more of a Latin flavour. Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia.. If you like latin music, this is your place.
Latin Beach Sport Bar
La ChorreraThe bar with more of a Latin flavour. Salsa, Merengue, Bachata, Cumbia.. If you like latin music, this is your place.
A local bar with a laid-back feel. Great for meeting other travelers or locals alike. They also have some pub food on offer.
72 locals raden deze aan
Coconutz Bar & Grill
Ruta Nacional Secundaria 151A local bar with a laid-back feel. Great for meeting other travelers or locals alike. They also have some pub food on offer.
This hotel in El Coco has a bar and restaurant that have some cool events on every once in a while. Check if they have something cool happening while you're down!
8 locals raden deze aan
Hotel La Puerta del Sol
This hotel in El Coco has a bar and restaurant that have some cool events on every once in a while. Check if they have something cool happening while you're down!
Parks & Nature
The area's best 'secret beach' that the locals may or may not tell you about... You need a car to get there, but it's worth it!
15 locals raden deze aan
Playa Penca
The area's best 'secret beach' that the locals may or may not tell you about... You need a car to get there, but it's worth it!
A huuuuuge volcano with volcanoey things up top, like clouds of sulphur smoke, boiling waterholes, mud pots, waterfalls, and jungle. Not to mention loads of wildlife!
175 locals raden deze aan
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
A huuuuuge volcano with volcanoey things up top, like clouds of sulphur smoke, boiling waterholes, mud pots, waterfalls, and jungle. Not to mention loads of wildlife!
Nobody seems to know about this place for some reason... It's a park with incredible cave systems that you can go tour around in. It's phenomenal, the initial descent by ladder into the cave is breathtaking. Show up before 1:00!
34 locals raden deze aan
Parque Nacional Barra Honda
Nobody seems to know about this place for some reason... It's a park with incredible cave systems that you can go tour around in. It's phenomenal, the initial descent by ladder into the cave is breathtaking. Show up before 1:00!
This waterfall is a secret oasis in the savanna. Come spend the afternoon here, you won't regret it! Locals sell fruits and snacks here, but you'll have to pack in anything more than that.
40 locals raden deze aan
Llanos de Cortés
This waterfall is a secret oasis in the savanna. Come spend the afternoon here, you won't regret it! Locals sell fruits and snacks here, but you'll have to pack in anything more than that.
I'm a bit of a beach snob, and this beach... This is one to be snobby about! A bit hard to find, but completely worth it! Ask us for directions & we'll set you on the right path. There's a small restaurant in case you get the munchies.
18 locals raden deze aan
Playa Bahía de Los Piratas
I'm a bit of a beach snob, and this beach... This is one to be snobby about! A bit hard to find, but completely worth it! Ask us for directions & we'll set you on the right path. There's a small restaurant in case you get the munchies.
Our very own beach! It's close & extremely easy to get to! But don't let that fool you, Playa Hermosa is easily one of the nicest beaches in the area. Find your own spot on the strand and set up shop for the day. There's a cool mini-beach up at the north end, tucked between some rocks, if you want more privacy.
120 locals raden deze aan
Mooi strand
4 158Our very own beach! It's close & extremely easy to get to! But don't let that fool you, Playa Hermosa is easily one of the nicest beaches in the area. Find your own spot on the strand and set up shop for the day. There's a cool mini-beach up at the north end, tucked between some rocks, if you want more privacy.
This is where you find the Rio Celeste... You need to see it to believe how blue it is! There are also a lot of tapirs lurking in the forest if you're quiet and attentive...
105 locals raden deze aan
Nationaal park Tenorio-vulkaan - Rio Celeste
This is where you find the Rio Celeste... You need to see it to believe how blue it is! There are also a lot of tapirs lurking in the forest if you're quiet and attentive...
This place is one of the most visitor-friendly cloud forests in Costa Rica. Far from being overdeveloped, it's still straight up jungle up there. Definitely worth a visit. Don't miss the giant fig tree you can climb up like a ladder!
141 locals raden deze aan
Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Reserve
Carretera a Reserva de MonteverdeThis place is one of the most visitor-friendly cloud forests in Costa Rica. Far from being overdeveloped, it's still straight up jungle up there. Definitely worth a visit. Don't miss the giant fig tree you can climb up like a ladder!
Arenal volcano makes you feel like you're in Jurassic park. It's been erupting less lately, so you might not see lava like you would have in 1996, but it's still an impressive mountain with adventure activities galore. I'd definitely recommend a visit to Baldi hot springs. Especially if you're a couple looking for a romantic evening, swing by there after the sun goes down. You won't be disappointed!
234 locals raden deze aan
Arenal Volcano
Arenal volcano makes you feel like you're in Jurassic park. It's been erupting less lately, so you might not see lava like you would have in 1996, but it's still an impressive mountain with adventure activities galore. I'd definitely recommend a visit to Baldi hot springs. Especially if you're a couple looking for a romantic evening, swing by there after the sun goes down. You won't be disappointed!
This little slice of heaven is one of the best kept secret beaches in the area. White sand and blue sea, it's a perfect spot to string up a hammock and spend a day. Also perfect for snorkeling! The water gets deep pretty quickly, so you don't have to swim far to get to some amazing snorkeling spots.
Playa Bonita
This little slice of heaven is one of the best kept secret beaches in the area. White sand and blue sea, it's a perfect spot to string up a hammock and spend a day. Also perfect for snorkeling! The water gets deep pretty quickly, so you don't have to swim far to get to some amazing snorkeling spots.
This place is a one-stop shop for adventure. Zip lining, animals, quadding, basically anything that gets your heart pumping or puts a smile on your face, they can organise it for you!
150 locals raden deze aan
Diamante Eco avonturenpark
350 east RIU HotelThis place is a one-stop shop for adventure. Zip lining, animals, quadding, basically anything that gets your heart pumping or puts a smile on your face, they can organise it for you!
This place is far, but a unique experience. It's a park where you can hike through the jungle to get to an untouched, pristine beach. Definitely plan a whole day for it. Since it's totally undeveloped, you'll have to bring everything with you (and take all your waste with you on the way out!) Completely worth it though!
126 locals raden deze aan
Reserva Natural Cabo Blanco
This place is far, but a unique experience. It's a park where you can hike through the jungle to get to an untouched, pristine beach. Definitely plan a whole day for it. Since it's totally undeveloped, you'll have to bring everything with you (and take all your waste with you on the way out!) Completely worth it though!
This is where the 'Arribada' happens. In rainy season (May-October), a week before the new moon, thousands of sea turtles come to this beach to lay their eggs at night. Tour operators will help you find turtles and use best practices to avoid bothering their egg-laying. Absolutely magical to see!
28 locals raden deze aan
Ostional
This is where the 'Arribada' happens. In rainy season (May-October), a week before the new moon, thousands of sea turtles come to this beach to lay their eggs at night. Tour operators will help you find turtles and use best practices to avoid bothering their egg-laying. Absolutely magical to see!
Entertainment & Activities
One of Guanacaste's only movie theatres is right here in our little town. Check out the latest new releases!
25 locals raden deze aan
Beach Cinema Hermosa
One of Guanacaste's only movie theatres is right here in our little town. Check out the latest new releases!
Coco's best dive shop. Friendly staff & professionally run establishment.
15 locals raden deze aan
Rich Coast Diving
Coco's best dive shop. Friendly staff & professionally run establishment.
Everything Else
This town has everything, but is quite touristy.. try your hand at the world-famous surf break! The sunsets here are amazing as well.
336 locals raden deze aan
Tamarindo
This town has everything, but is quite touristy.. try your hand at the world-famous surf break! The sunsets here are amazing as well.
Costa Rica's epicentre of Yoga. If yoga is your thing, you'll want to come here and see what's up.
39 locals raden deze aan
Nosara
Costa Rica's epicentre of Yoga. If yoga is your thing, you'll want to come here and see what's up.
A nice, smallish beach town. This place really has the perfect balance of local and international flavours. Also the home of LuvBurger, my favourite restaurant on the planet!
42 locals raden deze aan
Sámara
A nice, smallish beach town. This place really has the perfect balance of local and international flavours. Also the home of LuvBurger, my favourite restaurant on the planet!
This thriving international beach community has an incredible vibe. You'll never want to leave! Amazing for surfing, restaurants, nightlife, nature, a true paradise. For some reason, the whole entire town is cash only, so bring some paper with you.
119 locals raden deze aan
Santa Teresa Beach
This thriving international beach community has an incredible vibe. You'll never want to leave! Amazing for surfing, restaurants, nightlife, nature, a true paradise. For some reason, the whole entire town is cash only, so bring some paper with you.
A bumping backpacker's paradise. If you carry your life on your back, you'll feel at home here.
21 locals raden deze aan
Montezuma Beach
A bumping backpacker's paradise. If you carry your life on your back, you'll feel at home here.
The first big holiday developments in Guanacaste started here decades ago. The place makes you feel like a movie star in the 60s, like some kind of Grace Kelly. Gorgeous location, flawless beaches, and an established tourism industry make the Flamingo area perfect for relaxation.
217 locals raden deze aan
Playa Flamingo
Flamingo Beach RoadThe first big holiday developments in Guanacaste started here decades ago. The place makes you feel like a movie star in the 60s, like some kind of Grace Kelly. Gorgeous location, flawless beaches, and an established tourism industry make the Flamingo area perfect for relaxation.
Getting Around
Budget is reliable & good when I've used them. There's also an office in Playa Hermosa, by the Segunda Entrada.
Budget Car Rental Playas del Coco
Budget is reliable & good when I've used them. There's also an office in Playa Hermosa, by the Segunda Entrada.
I've never rented from them, but word on the street is that they're the best. Most companies will try and ding you with expensive insurance, but Alamo is the best for giving you a good price. I've never rented from them though, so I can't guarantee anything !
6 locals raden deze aan
Alamo rent a car Liberia
I've never rented from them, but word on the street is that they're the best. Most companies will try and ding you with expensive insurance, but Alamo is the best for giving you a good price. I've never rented from them though, so I can't guarantee anything !
The airport you probably landed at! Guanacaste's connection to the people all around the globe that want to come visit this amazing place.
37 locals raden deze aan
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport
S/N Boulevard AeropuertoThe airport you probably landed at! Guanacaste's connection to the people all around the globe that want to come visit this amazing place.
This is the bus station for the busses that go to San Jose. You can buy tickets at their kiosk here. Busses run quite frequently throughout the day.
16 locals raden deze aan
Pulmitan de Liberia Transporte San Jose - Liberia station
This is the bus station for the busses that go to San Jose. You can buy tickets at their kiosk here. Busses run quite frequently throughout the day.
This is the bus station for the busses that run to close-ish places in Guanacaste. For busses that head to San Jose, you'll want the Pulmitan de Liberia Station a block Southeast.
Terminal de Buses Municipal de Liberia station
This is the bus station for the busses that run to close-ish places in Guanacaste. For busses that head to San Jose, you'll want the Pulmitan de Liberia Station a block Southeast.
Essentials
The local grocery store. There's a secret path you can take to get there through the forest, ask us about it! It cuts off a loooooot of time if you're walking there.
18 locals raden deze aan
Super Luperon Playa Hermosa
158The local grocery store. There's a secret path you can take to get there through the forest, ask us about it! It cuts off a loooooot of time if you're walking there.
Coco's biggest and best grocery store. If you can't find it in any other grocery store, you can probably find it here!
309 locals raden deze aan
Auto Mercado
Coco's biggest and best grocery store. If you can't find it in any other grocery store, you can probably find it here!
A big grocery store with good prices, located in El Coco, a 10 minute drive from our place. I recommend doing your grocery shopping in Coco, as it's usually cheaper there than in Playa Hermosa.
36 locals raden deze aan
Super Luperon
A big grocery store with good prices, located in El Coco, a 10 minute drive from our place. I recommend doing your grocery shopping in Coco, as it's usually cheaper there than in Playa Hermosa.
I hope you don't need to come here, but the doctors here are professional if you find yourself needing medical care. Located in Coco, a 10 minute drive from our place.
Coco Medical And Dental Center
I hope you don't need to come here, but the doctors here are professional if you find yourself needing medical care. Located in Coco, a 10 minute drive from our place.