Things to do in Playas del Coco: dive, fish, and sail the Papagayo

Playas del Coco is one of Guanacaste's oldest beach towns, and it has settled into a clear identity: this is where you go to get out on the water. The bay itself is for swimming and sunsets, but the real draw is what leaves from the pier, from the two big-name dive sites offshore to a productive sportfishing ground. Here is the shortlist, and every operator on it is one we have verified.

Dive the Catalina and Bat Islands

Coco is the launch point for North Guanacaste's two headline dive areas. The Catalina Islands are the accessible option, a cluster of volcanic islets known for giant Pacific manta rays and suited to a wide range of divers. The Bat Islands are the advanced trip, further out and built around seasonal bull sharks at the site called the Big Scare. Shops in town run both: Rich Coast Diving and Deep Blue Diving are long-running Coco operators, Life and Dive runs trips and courses, and Rocket Frog Divers works out of neighboring Ocotal. For the full breakdown of which site suits you and when to go, read our Catalina and Bat Islands diving guide.

Fish the Gulf of Papagayo

The offshore grounds off Coco are a legitimate sportfishing draw, with sailfish and marlin the headline billfish and mahi-mahi, tuna, and inshore roosterfish rounding out the calendar. There is a deep bench of charters here: Dream On Sport Fishing, Papagayo Fishing Charters, Sport Fishing Blue Marlin, Tuna Fish Sportfishing, Blue Kai Fishing Charters, and Sea Wave Sportfishing all run out of the bay. The bite moves with the season, so ask the captain what they have been raising before you book.

Sail the bay by catamaran

A half-day or sunset catamaran trip is the easy, everyone-can-do-it option, usually with a snorkel stop in one of the calmer coves and drinks for the ride back. Kuna Vela Sailing Tours, Catamaran Ocean Tours, and Exclusive Tour Costa Rica all sail the Papagayo. Sunset trips are the popular slot, so reserve ahead in high season.

Slow down at Hermosa and Ocotal

If you want beach time rather than boat time, the neighboring beaches do it better than Coco's town bay. Playa Hermosa and Playa Ocotal are minutes away, with calmer, clearer water for swimming and easy snorkeling off the rocks. They share the same dive shops and charters, so you can stay quiet and still get out on the water when you want to.

Eat and stay

Coco eats well after a day at sea, from beachfront ceviche and cold beer at Father Rooster to a proper dinner at Citron or Verde Salvia. For a base, boutique stays like Hotel Bosque del Mar and Villa del Sol keep you close to the water.

Browse every verified operator, restaurant, and place to stay on the Playas del Coco area guide.