Food scene
We love this hotel restaraunt for it's great food, amazing beach setting, friendly staff and more! Dont miss Taco Tuesdays for dinner! They will also cook whatever you catch if you go fishing.
15 locals recommend
Hotel El Velero
We love this hotel restaraunt for it's great food, amazing beach setting, friendly staff and more! Dont miss Taco Tuesdays for dinner! They will also cook whatever you catch if you go fishing.
Amazing setting in the trees with exceptional food and service.
64 locals recommend
Ginger Restaurant Bar
Amazing setting in the trees with exceptional food and service.
Great place for food, local craft beer, live music and lots of TVs showing USA sports!
72 locals recommend
Coconutz Bar & Grill
Ruta Nacional Secundaria 151Great place for food, local craft beer, live music and lots of TVs showing USA sports!
A bit more of an upscale dining experience almost on the beach. Nice atmosphere, good food, close to the beach. They will also cook whatever you catch if you go fishing.
10 locals recommend
Restaurant Villa del Sueño
A bit more of an upscale dining experience almost on the beach. Nice atmosphere, good food, close to the beach. They will also cook whatever you catch if you go fishing.
Zi Lounge
Yummy spot in the heart of Coco!
Around an hour away from the house in Las Catalinas at the Casa Chameleon hotel you will find Sentido Norte. An amazing dining experience with 270 degree views of the Pacific. Reservations required. We recommend 5pm so you can catch the sunset.
79 locals recommend
Sentido Norte
Around an hour away from the house in Las Catalinas at the Casa Chameleon hotel you will find Sentido Norte. An amazing dining experience with 270 degree views of the Pacific. Reservations required. We recommend 5pm so you can catch the sunset.
Restaurante Coco Loco
Flamingo Beach RoadGreat food and atmosphere, right on Flamingo beach.
We like to take a day trip to Playa Grande to surf, and eat lunch at the Hotel Las Tortugas for some great authentic Costa Rican cuisine.
Hotel Las Tortugas
We like to take a day trip to Playa Grande to surf, and eat lunch at the Hotel Las Tortugas for some great authentic Costa Rican cuisine.
Aquasport Bar & Restaurant
Great food and drinks right on Playa Hermosa beach!
Activities
Top notch dive shop with a great staff. Fast boats to get you to your destination. We only dive with Rocket Frog.
Rocket Frog Divers Flamingo Beach
Top notch dive shop with a great staff. Fast boats to get you to your destination. We only dive with Rocket Frog.
If you are looking for some waves, this is the best place to rent boards, get lessons, and find some good waves. Just over an hour from the villa.
9 locals recommend
Iguana Surf Shop
If you are looking for some waves, this is the best place to rent boards, get lessons, and find some good waves. Just over an hour from the villa.
Great local family owned Coffee bean farm and eco tour. Enjoy fresh local dishes straight from their farm.
Tio Leo Coffee
Great local family owned Coffee bean farm and eco tour. Enjoy fresh local dishes straight from their farm.
Local hotel and restaruant with natural hot springs pools, zipline, hiking, tree bridges and more. Just over an hour from the house. No need to stay the night, day trip options available.
26 locals recommend
Rio Perdido
Local hotel and restaruant with natural hot springs pools, zipline, hiking, tree bridges and more. Just over an hour from the house. No need to stay the night, day trip options available.
Amazing waterfall less than an hour from the house. One of the only waterfalls that you can swim in!
7 locals recommend
Llanos de Cortés
Amazing waterfall less than an hour from the house. One of the only waterfalls that you can swim in!
The shop in Coco is our local go to for diving. Also a shop in Flamingo.
14 locals recommend
Rocket Frog Divers
The shop in Coco is our local go to for diving. Also a shop in Flamingo.
A great place to see rescued wild animals up close and learn about their environment. Animals include birds, monkeys, cats and more.
Monkey Park
Ruta Nacional Secundaria 155A great place to see rescued wild animals up close and learn about their environment. Animals include birds, monkeys, cats and more.
Only about 30 minutes from the house, the Congo Trail offers ziplining, ATV's, horseback riding, a monkey sanctuary and more!
34 locals recommend
The Congo Trail
Only about 30 minutes from the house, the Congo Trail offers ziplining, ATV's, horseback riding, a monkey sanctuary and more!
Diamante Eco Adventure Park
350 east RIU HotelZipline, animals, hourseback riding, ATV's and more.
Nature, adventure and sightseeing raft trips in Guanacaste, about an hour away from the villa.
7 locals recommend
RCR Rafting
Nature, adventure and sightseeing raft trips in Guanacaste, about an hour away from the villa.
Great place to rent surf boards, get lessons and more in Playa Grande. Much less hustle and bustle than in Tamarindo. And great waves!
20 locals recommend
Frijoles Locos Surf Shop, Lessons and Rentals
Great place to rent surf boards, get lessons and more in Playa Grande. Much less hustle and bustle than in Tamarindo. And great waves!
Rincón de la Vieja Volcano
Hiking, horseback riding, rafting, tubing, and much more.
City/town information
Las Catalinas
Camino Las CatalinasAmazing boutique style village and beach with a mediterranean feel.
Sightseeing
Amazing eco tour and restaraunt. On the tour you may see frogs, toucans, sloths, monkeys and more. About 1.5 hours from the house. Great local cuisine as well.
Finca Verde Lodge
Ruta Nacional Primaria 6Amazing eco tour and restaraunt. On the tour you may see frogs, toucans, sloths, monkeys and more. About 1.5 hours from the house. Great local cuisine as well.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Renting a car
This is the best way to experience what Costa Rica has to offer. We really like Alamo or Adobe Car Rental.
Don't miss
Local Beaches
Our favorite is Playa Hermosa, only 3 minutes from the house. Playa Panama and Playa Ocotal are nice as well. If you are looking for waves we like Playa Grande and Playa Tamarindo.
Customs and culture
Gratuity
When dining out, 10% gratuity is usually added to the bill, along with 13% sales tax. You can tip more if you like, but it is not expected. 10% is a good rule of thumb when tipping non-dining acitivities (IE - tours, fishing, etc.)
Ways to save
Cash and Paypal to pay for items and services
Sometimes you can avoid the 13% sales tax when paying with cash, or via an app like Paypal (not all vendors will accept but you can ask).
What to pack
Packing
Shorts, flip flops, suits, hats and sunscreen! Maybe a light rain jacket or umbrella as rain showers can come and go depending on the time of year.
Customs and culture
Local Language and communications
Spanish is the local language, but almost all Costa Rican's working in the tourist industry will speak some English. A translate app (like Google) can be handy at times though. Whatsapp and Facebook messenger are both great ways to connect with local vendors.
Don't miss
Going to Playa Hermosa Beach
We like to park at the Hotel El Velero, and setup in front of thier restaraunt on the beach. They have no problem with this as long as you are buying some drinks and or food. They will even serve you on the beach if it is not too busy!
Getting around
The Monkey Trail Road
If you are traveling south towards Tamarindo, Surfside, or Las Catallinas, you can take the monkey trail road to save a lot of time. It can be narrow in a couple spots, and you do have to cross a shallow river. As long as you are in an SUV you should be fine, as long as it is not very rainy and the river it too high.
Ways to save
Groceries and Liquor
The "Luperon" in Playa Hermosa is great, and has almost anything you need. The "Automercado" in Coco is very similar to an American style grocery store, with a wide selection of items, including wine, beer and liquor.
Don't miss
Massage on Playa Hermosa Beach
On the north end of the beach just past the El Velero hotel there is an amazing lady named Maria who has numerous massage tables setup in the shade. She, and her team are excellent. Usually $40-$50 for an hour.
Don't miss
Chef4U - In home private Chef
Chef4U has a great team of chefs, an extensive staff in the hands of Head Chef Nicolas Devenelle, CHEF4U is simply the best private chef team in Guanacaste. Breakfast, lunch, dinner and more. Family style or course by course options.
Email: info@guanacastechef4u.com
Phone: (506) 8706 214
https://guanacastechef4u.com
Don't miss
Go South Charters
Deep sea fishing, surf trips, snorkeling, tubing, wakeboarding, secluded beach day trips and more. Numerous boats for any occasion. The "Fun on the Ocean" trip is our favorite.
Don't miss
Palo Verde Boat Tours
Family owned boat tour featuring guided wildlife riverboat tours. Great traditional lunch included. A little more than an hour drive from the house.