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20 Minutes from Liberia Airport

Playas del Coco: Your Gateway to Guanacaste

Discover Playas del Coco, Costa Rica's most accessible beach paradise. Just 20 minutes from Liberia Airport, enjoy calm swimmable beaches, world-class snorkeling, and a welcoming expat retiree community.

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Calm Swimming Beaches
Snorkeling & Diving
Retiree Friendly
Dry Sunny Climate
20 min
To Liberia Airport
85°F
Avg Water Temp
30ft
Visibility (Diving)
80+
Fish Species

Why Playas del Coco is Special

20 Minutes to Airport

Closest major beach to Liberia Airport. No long drives after a flight.

Calm, Swimmable Beaches

Protected bays with gentle waves. Perfect for families and snorkeling.

Snorkeling & Diving

Clear water, abundant marine life. Some of Costa Rica's best shore diving.

Retiree Friendly

Large, established expat community. Active social scene for retirees.

Explore Nearby Beaches

Playa Conchal
25 min
Famous shell beach, luxury resorts
Playa Flamingo
30 min
Upscale marina, fishing charters
Playa Potrero
35 min
Local fishing village, calm bay
Playa Tamarindo
1 hour
Surf town, nightlife, bigger town

Playas del Coco Rentals

Long-term rentals near Liberia Airport

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The Complete Playas del Coco Guide

Where to Live in Coco

Coco Centro

$700 - $1,400/mo

The main beach town with restaurants, shops, and the bustling waterfront. Walkable to everything but can be noisy on weekends. The heart of the action.

Vibe:Bustling, social, touristy
Best for:Social people, those who want walkability, nightlife

Playa Ocotal

$1,000 - $2,200/mo

Quiet bay just south of Coco. Crystal clear water, great snorkeling, exclusive feel. 5-min drive to Coco center. Upscale homes and condos.

Vibe:Upscale, quiet, pristine
Best for:Families, snorkelers, those seeking peace

Playa Hermosa (near Coco)

$800 - $1,800/mo

Not to be confused with Jaco's Hermosa. This is a calm, beautiful bay north of Coco. Quieter than Coco but still accessible.

Vibe:Relaxed, beach-focused, residential
Best for:Families, retirees, beach lovers

Villas and Hillside

$600 - $1,200/mo

Residential areas up the hills from the beach. Ocean views, cooler breezes, more space. Need a car.

Vibe:Residential, local, spacious
Best for:Long-term residents, budget-conscious, privacy seekers

Cost of Living in Playas del Coco (2026)

1BR Apartment (Centro)$600 - $1,000
2BR House (Ocotal area)$900 - $1,600
3BR Villa (Hillside)$1,200 - $2,200
Utilities (Elec/Water)$100 - $180
High-Speed Internet$50 - $80
Groceries (per month)$300 - $450
Meal at Local Soda$5 - $8
Dinner at Seafood Restaurant$15 - $30
Snorkeling Tour$40 - $60
Diving (2 tanks)$80 - $120
Taxi to Liberia Airport$40 - $60

* Prices in USD. Generally 10-15% cheaper than Tamarindo due to less tourism hype.

Local Favorites

Restaurants

  • Coconutz
    Sports bar/Grill · Popular with expats, burgers and beer
  • Zelaya's
    Seafood · Beachfront, fresh catch daily
  • Bamboo Sushi
    Japanese · Surprisingly good sushi for a beach town
  • Lacaya
    Fine dining · Upscale, special occasion spot
  • Soda La Teresita
    Local Tico · Authentic, cheap, local favorite
  • Cafe de Playa
    Breakfast/Coffee · Great breakfast, strong coffee

Activities

  • Rich Coast Diving
    Dive shop · PADI certified, great reputation
  • Summer Salt
    Snorkeling tours · Half-day snorkeling trips
  • Coco Dive
    Dive shop · Local favorite for dive certification
  • El Velero
    Sunset cruises · Catamaran tours, snorkeling stops

Essentials

  • Super Compro
    Grocery · Main supermarket in town
  • Auto Mercado
    Supermarket · More selection, slightly pricier
  • Coco Pharmacy
    Pharmacy · Full-service, English spoken
  • Banco Nacional
    Bank · ATM and banking services
  • CIMA Liberia
    Hospital · 20 mins away, private hospital
  • Veterinario Coco
    Vet · English-speaking vet

Playas del Coco vs. Tamarindo

Trying to decide between Coco and the more famous Tamarindo? Here's the honest comparison:

Choose Coco If You Want:

  • ✓ Quick airport access (20 min vs 1+ hour)
  • ✓ Calm beaches for swimming
  • ✓ Snorkeling and diving
  • ✓ Established retiree community
  • ✓ Lower cost of living
  • ✓ Quieter, less party scene

Choose Tamarindo If You Want:

  • ✓ Surfing (Coco is calm, Tamarindo has waves)
  • ✓ More restaurants and nightlife
  • ✓ Younger, party-oriented crowd
  • ✓ Bigger town with more services
  • ✓ Don't mind the longer airport drive
  • ✓ Higher energy social scene

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get to Playas del Coco from Liberia Airport?
Super easy! It's only 20-25 minutes by car. Options: 1) Rental car - pick up at airport and drive (easy route), 2) Private shuttle - $40-60, book ahead, 3) Taxi - $40-50, available at airport, 4) Uber - sometimes available, about $30-40. The drive is straightforward on paved roads. No need for 4WD.
Is Playas del Coco good for swimming?
Yes! Unlike many Pacific beaches that are surf-focused, Coco and nearby Ocotal have calm, protected bays perfect for swimming. The water is clear and warm. Playa Ocotal is especially calm - great for kids. You can snorkel right from the beach at Ocotal and see fish, rays, and octopus.
How is the internet for remote work?
Good and improving. Most areas have fiber optic with speeds of 50-100mbps. The expat community has pushed for better infrastructure. However, power outages can happen during rainy season. Most reliable in newer condos and homes. If internet is critical for work, confirm speeds with landlord before renting.
Is it safe to swim in the ocean at Coco?
Yes, relatively. Playas del Coco and Ocotal have much calmer waters than surf beaches. However, basic ocean safety applies: swim near lifeguards when possible, avoid swimming at dusk/dawn (when sharks feed), and check with locals about current conditions. Ocotal is generally calmer than main Coco beach. There are no major shark concerns in these protected bays.
What's the expat community like?
Very active and welcoming. Playas del Coco has a large, established retiree community from Canada, the US, and Europe. There are regular meetups, trivia nights, card games, and social events. It's easy to make friends if you're outgoing. Many expats volunteer at local animal rescues or community organizations. The vibe is relaxed and social - perfect for retirees or remote workers seeking community.

Ready to Dive Into Coco?

The perfect blend of beach relaxation and convenience, just 20 minutes from Liberia Airport. Find your long-term rental in this snorkeling and diving paradise.

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