Playas del Coco, known to locals as El Coco, is a beautiful seaside town located conveniently close to Liberia in the Costa Rican province of Guanacaste.

In addition to its natural beauty, the town is extremely welcoming to tourists, offering a variety of tours and activities all year round, and is well worth adding to your itinerary.

1. Hit the beaches

Playas del Coco’s own beach is a great place to relax, and the surrounding coastline of the Gulf of Papagayo has some stunning beaches where you can swim, snorkel or simply bask in the warm sunshine and gorgeous natural settings. 

Hermosa Beach is a great place to relax. Located in an area of outstanding beauty, complete with sparkling, clear waters, this is a true tropical paradise.

Conchal Beach is also well worth a visit — as its name suggests, the sand on this unusual beach is made up of seashell fragments, giving it a color and texture you won’t experience anywhere else.

2. Go scuba diving
   

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El Coco is home to several diving companies, and the colorful local marine life and strikingly clear waters make this an unmissable activity.

If you’ve never been diving before, fear not — whether you’re a beginner or a veteran, there will be something here to suit your experience level.

3. Visit Diamante Eco Adventure Park

A short drive to the west will bring you to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, which is very well-run, set in a stunning natural location, and provides a plethora of exciting activities such as ziplining, hiking, and kayaking. 

For less intrepid adventurers, the park also has a wildlife sanctuary, and offers a cultural tour showcasing chocolate, sugar, and coffee-making. Whatever you enjoy, Diamante Eco Adventure Park will definitely provide you with a great day out.

4. Eat at the local restaurants

Playas del Coco’s increasing popularity as a tourist destination has made it a great place to eat out, offering many different cuisines at relatively competitive prices.

As you might expect from a seaside destination, there are abundant seafood options here. The Lobster House, as its name suggests, has excellent lobster, while Restaurante Claudio y Gloria has a wonderful all-round seafood menu in a more traditional Costa Rican style.

The town also hosts traditional Costa Rican mom-and-pop diners, Italian restaurants and a variety of other cuisines. Whether you want a pizza or a burger, or are looking for a more local flavor, Playas del Coco has you covered.

5. Visit the Rincón de la Vieja National Park

Centered on an active volcano, this truly unique location features waterfalls, mud baths, hot springs, geothermal vents, and some truly otherworldly scenery.

The park has a number of trails, all in breathtaking settings. Whether you’re looking for a family walk around this fascinating landscape or a more challenging hike up to the peaks, you’ll find it.

If you want more information about activities in Playas del Coco, find out from the locals! CrowdsourcedExplorer.com has locally sourced information about thousands of locations around the world.

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