3 Popular Destinations: Playa Hermosa, Panama, and Ocotal in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

If you are thinking about going to the north pacific of Costa Rica, we want to tell you about 3 popular destinations in this area. Playa Hermosa There are so… Read more » Continue reading →

If you are thinking about going to the north pacific of Costa Rica, we want to tell you about 3 popular destinations in this area.

Playa Hermosa

There are so many beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, it’s no wonder that there is more than one Playa Hermosa! Don’t get confused with this one and the one near Jaco – I’m talking about the one in Guanacaste. This beach is where most of the luxury homes and condos are located towards the north and the south is still fairly untouched.

With grey sands and incredibly clear waters, this beach has been given the prize of “Bandera Azul” for upholding high environmental standards and provides gorgeous scenery, surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation. Hermosa has many activities available to rent right on the beach such as jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling and fishing. Many sunset cruises and sportfishing charters leave from Hermosa which can be booked through the tour companies.

There are a few restaurants and hotels on the beach which have spectacular views especially during sunrise and sunset. Stretching 2 kilometers, dark grey sands contrast brilliantly with the blue waters and dark green vegetation and it is easy to spot plenty of wildlife around. Playa Hermosa is a lovely beach that offers all the amenities plus the added bonus of not being overcrowded. The care that has been given to this beach, the cleanliness and the friendliness of the locals makes this one a big favorite in Guanacaste. Playa Hermosa is rightly named for what it means – truly a beautiful beach.

Playa Panama

Neighboring Playa Hermosa, the theme of these beaches is a beautiful and tranquil environment. Playa Panama, located in the southern part of Bahía Culebra has incredibly peaceful waters and a very laid back atmosphere. With low tides and calm currents, bathing in these waters makes you feel like you are in a big natural pool.
Although many developments have popped up around this area in the past decade, the serenity and pristine conditions of the beach has not changed. A 2km long beach with soft grey sand makes it an ideal place for long walks and most of the land surrounding Panama beach is protected so wildlife thrives in this area.

There are many activities to be enjoyed such as kayaking, canoeing and fishing. The abundance of different types of trees, crystal blue waters and ideal swimming conditions make this beach a top choice for families and for those who are looking to spend some well needed relaxation time.

Directions from Liberia International Airport: The shortest way is to take a right off the main road by the Do-It center, about 9 km. Follow this road for 9 more km and turn right when you see the sign for Playa Panama.

Playa ocotal

Playa Ocotal is a small humble beach next to Playas del Coco that offers visitors a more tranquil and relaxed atmosphere. With dark grey sands and crystal clear waters, it is a favorite among many for snorkeling. Surrounded by hills and cliffs, the scenery at Ocotal is absolutely lovely and is a great place to relax under the trees or have a drink at the beachfront restaurant. In the hills surrounding Ocotal, you can see some gorgeous houses that most definitely have an amazing view.

This is a beach perfectly suited for travelers who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Coco and want a more peaceful environment. There are other activities to do such as canoeing and kayaking but if you get a chance, do some snorkeling here as there are a myriad of fishes you can see just a couple meters in.

You can also see stingrays, coral, sea urchins, turtles, and octopus among many other animals. Many tourists don’t like to stay at Ocotal because it is fairly quiet with not too much to do in terms of a nightlife or shopping, but it’s the perfect place to go for a day trip to the beach for some awesome snorkeling, food and relaxation!

Directions from Liberia International Airport: Turning right onto the main road, follow for about half an hour until the next intersection. Turn right again and follow all the way into Playas del Coco and at the intersection in Coco right before downtown, turn left. Follow this road another 6 km to reach the entrance of Playa Ocotal.