Flamingo’s central location makes it one of the most convenient and comfortable places to stay in Guanacaste! It’s the perfect spot to stay to check off all the essential things to do in Guanacaste.
Here are the top 13 things to do near Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste, including activities, must-see destinations, and tours!
1. Scuba Diving or Snorkeling! 🐠
Flamingo is home to several dive shops, which offer tours for all levels. The Pacific Coast Diver Center takes divers to Las Catalinas and North Island—some of the most famous spots in Costa Rica! In Guanacaste, you can see a variety of fish, rays, sea turtles, octopuses and sharks. Dive shops offer snorkeling and diving tours, which can be booked on Viator and Tripadvisor.
Looking for something more low-key? Pack your own mask and snorkel whenever you want!
Costa Rica’s volcanic reefs offer tons of incredible snorkeling spots right off the beach. For this reason, a comfortable mask has become a part of my beach essentials!
This high quality, wide view snorkeling mask is available on Amazon at a great price! They have adult and child sizes.
2. A Catamaran Tour 🛥
First on the bucket list is a catamaran tour. These tours are super popular in Costa Rica! They include a fresh lunch, snorkeling, and visiting some of the most pristine beaches in the area.
There are two kinds of Catamaran tours—a morning tour (8AM-12PM) or a sunset tour (12pm-6pm). I highly recommend the sunset tour—it makes for a remarkable experience! Tours generally cost around $100.
Here are my tried & true catamaran companies:
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 catamaran experience! The staff is very accommodating and friendly. They treat each guest like a VIP!
The All-Inclusive Snorkeling and Catamaran Adventure is a tour that stands out among the rest. Their catamaran has a slide that goes from the top deck right into the ocean! You can book on Tripadvisor or Viator.
3. Watch baby sea turtles hatch! 🐢
Guanacaste is one of the best places to see the turtle nesting or hatching season. You can watch baby sea turtles hatch or mother turtles come and lay their eggs! It’s a truly unforgettable experience.
There are opportunities to see turtles just about all year long. The two places to see turtles are Las Baulas National Marine Park (nesting from October-February and hatching from January-March), near Tamarindo, or the Ostional Wildlife Refuge (nesting from August-October and hatching November to January). You’ll need to go with a guide, so check out the tours below!
4. Surfing 🏄♂️
You can’t leave the Costa Rica without getting a surfing lesson! Guanacaste has several beaches that have the perfect waves for surfers of all levels. Tamarindo is the go-to beach for surf lessons.
5. Dress up & visit Las Catalinas
Las Catalinas is an upscale, charming and completely walkable community with picturesque buildings and cobblestone roads! Here you’ll find restaurants, boutiques, and cafes, as well as two stunning beaches. It also happens to be the perfect backdrop for a photo shoot.
6. Horseback Riding 🐴
Is there anything more memorable than riding a horse on the beach? A Guanacaste horseback riding tour makes for an unforgettable adventure. It’s a great way to experience the lush jungles and breathtaking coasts of Guanacaste!
The tour above ends in Playa Conchal, one of Guanacaste’s most pristine beaches with powdery-white sand and crystal-clear waters.
7. Jungle All-Terrain Vehicle Tours 🛺
Another popular activity when visiting Costa Rica is a jungle ATV tour! This gives you the opportunity to get off the beaten path! You may even take a dip in a local waterfall.
8. Catch a Pacific Sunset 🌅
Watching a sunset from start to finish is a must-do when in Guanacaste! The sun generally sets at 6 o’clock, but be sure to check the exact time. Arrive at your viewing destination about 45 minutes before the actual sunset and stay for about 30 minutes after to enjoy all the colors.
The best place to watch the sunset is the beach or a restaurant overlooking the ocean, like Sentido Norte in Las Catalinas and Coco Loco on Flamingo Beach.
9. Spend the day at Conchal Beach
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!
10. Hit the shops in Tamarindo
Tamarindo is a bustling beach town, with one of the longest beaches in the area. Although it’s about 45 minutes from Flamingo, the drive is well worth it! Here you can do some great boutique shopping, get a surf lesson, catch some rays, and enjoy one of the prettiest spots to watch the sunset. It also has great nightlife.
11. Swim in Poza Los Coyotes
Poza Los Coyotes is a hidden gem! It’s a series of natural pools with turquoise water and breathtaking canyons. Though it’s a bit off the beaten path, it makes for an incredible day trip, perfect for the whole family! Spend the day here for only 2,000 colones ($4) a person, and rent an inner tube for 1,000 colones ($2)!
12. Explore the Flamingo Marina
A new construction in Flamingo, the marina is home to an ice cream parlor, a few boutiques, a Britt Cafe, and some speciality stores! This is a great place to explore on an afternoon or if you get caught with some rain!
13. Beach hop!
The whole coast of Guanacaste is lined with incredible beaches, each with their own charm! A short, 10 minute drive will find you in a gorgeous, local beach, Playa Prieta. Playa Langosta and Playa Grande are both farther away (about 45 minutes), but each are absolutely beautiful and the perfect places to watch the sunset!
For a complete list of the activities to do in Guanacaste, check out this post.
Final Thoughts on What to Do in Playa Flamingo
Your stay in Flamingo can be as bustling or as relaxing as you’d like it to be. Whether you’re looking for some R&R or you came for the adventure, Flamingo has something for everyone!
Wondering where to head next?
Check out La Fortuna and Monteverde.
Other helpful articles:
🔹 The Ultimate Packing List for Costa Rica
🔹 Costa Rica Planning Guide – Trip planning 101
🔹 Deciding when to come to Costa Rica
🔹 10% off your rental car – A local and trustworthy company
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