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Playa Potrero, Costa Rica is one of the best beach towns in Guanacaste due to its central location! From Potrero, you are a stone’s throw away from the most popular destinations like Flamingo, Tamarindo, Coco Beach, Las Catalinas, and more!
Potrero has a mix of authentic Costa Rican restaurants and locales, as well as modern eateries and breweries. There is much to enjoy in this quiet beach town.
After living in Guanacaste for 3 years, here is a comprehensive list of all the best things to do in Potrero!
What is Playa Potrero like?
Potrero is a small town on the coast of Guanacaste. Only about 50 minutes from the Liberia Airport, this destination is quite accessible and has so much to offer!
Potrero Beach is located on a curved inlet of the coast, which provides beach-goers with a calm place to swim and gorgeous mountain views. While Potrero does not boast powdery-white sand, there are plenty of pristine beaches within a short 10 minute drive!
Playa Potrero’s biggest advantage is its location and quiet, relaxing atmosphere. It is the perfect home away from home as you enjoy all this area has to offer. As far as activities, Potrero offers sport fishing, snorkeling, boating, exploring in an all-terrain vehicle, horseback riding, and so much more!
Awesome Activities in Playa Potrero
There is no end to the amazing things to do in Potrero. Staying in this beach community enables you to check off all the best things to do in Guanacaste! Here is your ultimate to-do list, beloved by both tourists and locals.
A Catamaran Tour (includes snorkeling!)🛥
Boating around on the Pacific Ocean is a must-do when visiting Costa Rican beaches! Catamaran tours generally include a fresh lunch, snorkeling, and visiting some of the prettiest beaches in the area. If you are not interested in snorkeling, boats also have noodles or other floaties to enjoy. You can also just spend some time exploring the beach that they anchor near.
There are two kinds of Catamaran tours—a morning tour (usually leaving at about 8AM and returning at 12PM) or a sunset tour (12pm-6pm). Sunset tours enable you to watch the sun sink into the ocean as it bids us goodnight! This truly is an unforgettable experience.
Catamaran tours generally cost around $100, which includes your lunch, a guided snorkeling tour, and bottomless drinks. You’ll enjoy music and engaging conversation, as you meet fellow travelers and local guides.
During the trip, guides will be happy to point out some interesting sights such as the Monkey Head Rock and Playa Huevo (a beach with a neat cave!) in the Gulf of Papagayo. Tours generally take off from the Flamingo Marino, a short 5-10 minute drive from Potrero.
There are many catamaran companies to choose from, but here are my favorites as a seasoned catamaran-goer:
Lazy Lizard Sailing
Lazy Lizard is a great, reliable catamaran company! The staff is kind, fun, and engaging! They provide a delicious, fresh lunch. Book here with Tripadvisor!
Panache Sailing
Panache provides a high-end experience as you sail around the Pacific coast of Guanacaste. The staff is very accommodating and friendly.
The Flamingo, Guanacaste All-Inclusive Snorkeling and Catamaran Adventure is a tour that I haven’t gotten to try yet, but but it sure looks like an incredible experience! This tour has earned a 5 star rating, with 257 reviews! Their catamaran even has a slide from the top deck into the ocean! You can book on Tripadvisor or Viator. This will be the next catamaran I try!
I recommend any of these companies wholeheartedly! When booking, just be sure to select the option you prefer (Morning or Sunset Tour) and the correct number of people you are reserving for.
Scuba Diving or Snorkeling! 🐠
Another popular activity when visiting Guanacaste is exploring the world under the sea! Flamingo, a beach town about 5 minutes from Potrero, is home to several dive shops! These shops will take divers to some of the most famous dive spots in the area. You can see a variety of tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, octopuses and even some small sharks!
If you haven’t dove before, these dive shops offer beginning training before heading out to the ocean. There are tours both for non-certified divers and those with PADI certifications. Most dive shops also offer snorkeling tours, if you do not end up going on a catamaran.
The Pacific Coast Diver Center takes divers to Las Catalinas and North Island—arguably the most famous dive spots in Guanacaste! You can book on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Looking for something more low-key? Pack your own mask and snorkel on your own!
My new favorite essential when traveling to any tropical country is this no hassle snorkeling mask from Amazon! I love that with such little gear, I can immerse myself in the colorful world under the surface.
Costa Rica’s volcanic reefs offer tons of incredible snorkeling spots right off the beach. You won’t regret having your own easy-to-use snorkeling mask at your fingertips!
Sport Fishing 🎣
Fancy trying your hand at some bigger game? In Guanacaste, you can fish mahi mahi, yellowfin tuna, marlin, sailfish, snapper, rooster fish, and more! There are many companies to choose from, but one of the most reputable is Dream On Fishing Charters.
Another amazing activity to try out is spearfishing! Spearfishing is popular among fishers in Guanacaste, when looking for lobsters, octopus, and parrotfish. The tour below leaves from Tamarindo, a nearby town about 45-50 minutes away.
Surfing 🏄♂️
You can’t leave the Pacific Coast without going on a surf lesson! Guanacaste has several beaches that have the perfect waves for surfers of all levels. Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and Playa Avellanas are all excellent places to do a surf lesson. If you’re an experienced surfer, there are two famous spots accessible by boat–Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) and Ollie’s Point.
Horseback Riding 🐴
Is there anything more picturesque than riding a horse on the beach? A Guanacaste horseback riding tour makes for an unforgettable adventure and a wonderful way to see the Costa Rican jungle. Enjoy looking for monkeys and iguanas as you experience lush jungles and breathtaking coasts.
The tour above ends in Playa Conchal, one of Guanacaste’s most pristine beaches with powdery-white sand and crystal-clear waters.
All-Terrain Vehicle Tours 🌴
Another popular activity when visiting Costa Rica is to get out in the jungle on an ATV tour! Have the opportunity to see jungle that you would otherwise not get to experience. You may even take a dip in a local waterfall!
The best beaches near Playa Potrero 🏖
Let’s be honest, the real reason you’re coming to Guanacaste is the beaches! And rightfully so. Playa Potrero is known for its atmosphere, restaurant choices, accessible amenities, and so much more, but if this is the only beach you visit, you will be missing out on some real Pacific gems!
In a short five minutes’ drive you can arrive at several different beaches. Hello, white sand and crystal clear waters!
Here are the best beaches in the area:
🔹 Playa Flamingo – Easily one of Guanacaste‘s most beautiful beaches, Flamingo boasts white sand, turquoise water, and noteworthy waves! This beach is perfect for the entire family. You can rent tents for sun protection for the little ones, mom can get a beachside massage (yes, there are masseuses with massage tables stationed in the shade of the overhead trees!), and you can even get meals and snacks delivered from the nearby restaurants to you! Flamingo is about a 10 minute drive from the town of Potrero. Parking fills up here during Semana Santa (the week leading up to Easter) and months like December and January, so try to come early in the day to secure a spot!
🔹 Playa Conchal – Conchal will leave you raving! This beach’s name comes from the white sand, which is made of crushed pieces of pink and white seashells! The water is turquoise and absolutely breathtaking. Due to the transparent water and white sand, Conchal is also a wonderful place to snorkel off the beach!
🔹 Playa Prieta – A short, 6 minute drive will find you in another gorgeous beach of Guanacaste, Playa Prieta. This beach is frequented by locals. Parking is easy to come by, just park in any open area before arriving at the end of the road at the beach.
🔹 Tamarindo – Tamarindo is a bustling beach town, with one of the longest beaches in the area. Although it is about 50 minutes from Potrero, the drive is worth it if you go to spend the day! Here you can do some boutique shopping, get a surf lesson, catch some rays, and enjoy one of the prettiest spots to watch the sunset.
Catch a Pacific Sunset 🌅
I would be remiss to not mention Guanacaste’s most beloved pastime, watching the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean. The sunsets in Guanacaste are unlike any other sunset I’ve ever seen. When visiting Potrero, be sure to catch at least one sunset from start to finish.
Due to Costa Rica’s proximity to the equator, the sun generally sets at 6 o’clock, but be sure to check for the exact time. Plan to arrive at your viewing destination about 45 minutes before the actual sunset to see all of the sun’s transitions. You will also want to stay for about 30 minutes after to enjoy the colors painted across the sky as the Pacific sun bids you goodnight.
The best place to watch the sunset is the beach or a restaurant overlooking the ocean, like Sentido Norte in Las Catalinas and Patagonia del Mar in Brasilito.
Other Must-See Destinations Nearby 📍
Potrero as your home base in Guanacaste is a comfortable place to return to after a day of exploring. But there are several places to check off your bucket list while in the area!
Some amazing day trips would include:
☀️ Tamarindo – An upscale beach town that provides fantastic boutique-shopping, dining, night life, and surfing.
☀️ Poza Los Coyotes – A hidden gem with a series of natural pools with turquoise water! Spend the day here for only $4.
☀️ Las Catalinas – A charming, completely walkable community that has outlawed cars! Here you’ll find restaurants, boutiques, and cafes, as well as two stunning beaches.
Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Playa Potrero
A charming beach community with everything you might need at your fingertips! Potrero is a perfect place to call home when visiting Guanacaste.
Your days can be as bustling or as relaxing as you’d like them to be. The activities available to you are unending. Whether you have an adventuring spirit or are looking for something more low key, Potrero is the perfect launching pad for all travelers!
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