Making the most of Playas del Coco
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
One of Guanacaste’s oldest fishing towns, Playa Del Coco has become a lively beach with many enjoyable activities.
A brand-new cruise dock is planned. Water taxis link key tourist towns including Coco, Tamarindo, Flamingo, Hermosa and Papagayo.
Passengers can spend the day in town souvenir shopping, taking adventure tours, or relaxing in a restaurant while admiring the colourful scenery with a fruit cocktail or another delicious local drink.
Locals affectionately call Playas del Coco "El Coco", while Canadians, Americans and Europeans know it as "Coco Beach".
Getting around
Available excursions include a float trip on the Corobici River or a zip-line experience through the rainforest canopy. You could also take a Zodiac for a beach landing, with a village a 5-minute walk away, or snorkel among the many coves and clear water at Playa Ocotal’s black-sand beach.
Sea kayaks are available to rent in many places and are ideal for exploring the rocky headlands north and south of the beach, as well as nearby beaches. Tour companies around town are plentiful and can book these activities and many others.
Outside the towns, protection from mosquito bites is very important. The CDC recommends lightweight long pants, long-sleeved shirts and insect repellents with high concentrations of DEET.
Nearby places
Costa Rica means rich coast in Spanish, and it can be expected to be an ideal tropical paradise. A native song says that the Virgin Mary came down to Costa Rica and never returned to Heaven.
Costa Rica is frequently known as the Switzerland of Central America.
Costa Rica’s biodiversity comes not only from its position as a land bridge between North and South America, but also from varied terrain and weather patterns arriving from both the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean. The country has impressive volcanoes, mountain areas, rivers, lakes and beaches throughout. Many beautiful beaches are found there: most popular ones are on the Pacific side, though the Caribbean also has many excellent beaches.
Money
The local currency is Colón(es), with an exchange rate of about 575 Colones to 1 US Dollar. ATMs are available in most places and normally dispense both US Dollars and Colones. Traveler's checks are seldom used.
Staying connected
Spanish is Costa Rica’s principal language, although English is widely used in areas with international tourists.
Costa Rica’s emergency number is 911.
In tourist areas, cafés offering customers free WiFi are fairly easy to find.
Opening Hours and
Shopping hours are Mon-Sat 0900-1800/1900, although they may vary between areas.
Costa Rica is a Catholic country, so its holidays are mostly church-related. Most businesses, banks included, close for official holidays. The country shuts down completely for the biggest holiday period, Easter Holy Week, but only on Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday; by Holy Sunday some services may be available, though this should not be assumed in remote areas of the country.
Most Ticos now treat the whole Christmas holiday week through New Year as an unofficial