Playa Flamingo Area Guide
The white sand beaches of Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica makes this coastal community a natural paradise for those seeking fun in the sun. Let Tropical Homes help you plan the perfect trip.
Family Vacation
Romantic Getaway
Destination Wedding
Winter Blues Escape
About the Area
Whether you’re looking for relaxation or excitement during your vacation in Costa Rica, Playa Flamingo and Playa Potrero have everything you’re looking for. With a natural harbor, heaps of activities, and the tranquility of the surrounding mountains and lush greenery, your dream vacation awaits.
A great place for families, groups of friends, honeymooners and solo travelers, you’ll always feel like you’ve come to the right place. Rent a beach house and spend your days combing the white sand beaches, or embark on a sunset sail with your newly-wed partner in a high seas adventure. The area is also a destination wedding dream-come-true. With tranquil turquoise waters and the stunning mountainviews as your backdrop, Playa Flamingo is a unique location for first-look photos and saying “I do” in style.
If you’re looking for activities while visiting, we’ve got you covered. Thrill-seekers can spend their days in nearby towns surfing, sport fishing, mountain-biking, zip-lining and cruising by on ATVs. Relaxation gurus can book a massage, enjoy the many restaurants, take a dip in the clear blue sea or read in peace beneath a beach umbrella. Even a diverse group or family can find everything on the vacation wish-list here in our beautiful home.
Getting Here - Costa Rica
More about Playa Flamingo
Family Vacation / Other Target Demographics
The white sandy shores of Playa Flamingo are beckoning, and with so much to see and do in the area, you’ll find yourself coming back year after year to relax and enjoy the “pura vida” lifestyle. With new flights regularly added into Liberia’s airport, visiting the Gold Coast of Costa Rica has never been easier and more convenient. From low-key days of lounging at the beach or pool side to high energy activities like ziplining and horseback riding, we have plenty of things to do for people of all ages.
Fancy a week of romance? Perhaps even a destination wedding or a blissful tropical honeymoon is what you’re looking for? Pamper yourselves with a massage. Sip frozen cocktails as you watch the sun sink below the horizon. Indulge your taste buds at one of our many local restaurants or hire a private chef to whip up culinary delights in your vacation home.
Playa Flamingo is also a wonderful place for a family vacation. With a wide variety of activities for everyone from little kids to grandma and grandpa (and everyone in between), your visit here will be the talk of holidays and family get-togethers for years to come. Take a scenic boat tour down the Tempisque River into Palo Verde National Park to see monkeys, scarlet macaws and crocodiles. Spend the day relaxing poolside at the Sailing Center or renting out stand-up paddle boards and kayaks.
No matter how you choose to spend your time in the area, you’ll have the time of your life here in Playa Flamingo.
Things to Do in Playa Flamingo
Sunset Sailing Catamaran
To fully experience a Costa Rican vacation, you’ll want to book one of the full- or half-day cruises that leave out of Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo for a perfectly-timed sunset sail. These cruises sail out for at least 30 minutes, and when the sun begins to set, you’ll be sailing on a sea of jewels, with the pristine shoreline of Costa Rica in sight.
Spend the whole day on the cruise, checking out hard-to-reach beaches and secret snorkeling spots, or take it easy on the shore until an afternoon departure. Whichever you choose, a sturdy catamaran will sail you to the perfect location for basking in the glow of a breath-taking Costa Rican sunset.
Additional Info:
Duration: half to full day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: PM, sunset
Ziplining
For the thrill-seekers, ziplining is a treasured pastime and a must as part of your trip to Costa Rica, where we’ve been flying through the jungle since the 70s. Feel the breeze in your britches and race a macaw through the canopy as the greenery spreads out beneath you. Use your time gearing up on the platforms to witness nature in its purest state, with sloths, monkeys, and dozens of brilliantly-colored birds playing audience to your adventure.
This activity is not for those afraid of heights, but if you’re 48 inches or taller, your adrenaline rush awaits. You can find plenty of ziplining opportunities near your beach house in Playa Flamingo.
Additional Info:
Duration: half day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: AM
ATV
Why explore Costa Rica by foot when you can see more and have a ton of fun on an ATV? Most ATV tours are great for beginners, and the trained and certified tour guides take plenty of stops in the jungle for you to dip your feet in streams and examine exotic species of flora and fauna.
Rev your way to a swim by shimmering waterfalls, or stop for lunch on an otherwise inaccessible hidden beach. Start your journey in Playa Flamingo, and get ready for the muddiest, wildest, and most memorable adventure of a lifetime.
Additional Info:
Duration: half day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: AM or sunset
Palo Verde
For wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers, Palo Verde is the perfect destination for a day trip from Playa Flamingo. Only a 60-90 minute drive from your vacation rental, and with tropical birds putting on daily ad-lib air shows, Palo Verde National Park is a great place to take the family, a buddy, or just your trusty camera.
Spot some of the most beautiful birds we have, along with crocodiles, jaguarundis, coatis, monkeys, and armadillos from your vehicle, or join a boat tour and let the professionals take the lead. You can go by car or join a bus tour, but you’ll be sure to spot some species you won’t see from your beach house!
Additional Info:
Duration: full day
Transport: recommended, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: early AM
White Water Rafting
If you’ve got at least one other person (aged 13 and up) to take along for this joy ride, then white water rafting in the Costa Rica’s Tenorio River is waiting for you. The tour begins with a pick-up from Playa Flamingo (or for the full adventure, drive yourself), with a scenic drive to the Tenorio Volcano and River, and before you know it, you’ll be zipping down 15 miles of this stunning river.
Plunge down waterfalls, feel the breeze cooling your face in the warm sun, and let the splashes of the rapids sizzle on your adrenaline-soaked skin. You’ll take a break on the riverbank to have a refreshing lunch and enjoy the scenery from shore, and then it’s another few miles to the end of this must-do activity.
Additional Info:
Duration: full day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: early AM
Diving/Snorkeling
Accessible all year, SCUBA in the Catalina Islands is some of the best diving in Costa Rica. You can catch a boat from Playa Flamingo, and you’ll be under the waves, spotting the Pacific Giant Mantas that live around the islands, along with plenty of other aquatic wildlife. Eels, schools of fish, and even sharks like to frequent the area.
If you’re not keen on diving but still want to see all that’s hidden beneath the surface, a snorkeling trip is a great choice, and the guides in the area can pinpoint the perfect places to see all kinds of sea life. Pair it with a sunset sail, and you’ll have a day filled with eye candy.
Additional Info:
Duration: half day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: AM
Must present dive certification prior to boarding the boat
Massage
If you’re in Costa Rica and ready to sit back, relax, and let the slower, pura vida lifestyle recuperate your mind and body, then a massage is exactly what you need. The professional massage therapists can come right to you, so you won’t even have to leave the comfort of your beach house. Hot Stone or Deep Tissue massages make great recovery from all your adventures in and around Playa Flamingo. Have a massage, then sip a home-made piña colada while you have a pedicure, or let the professionals exfoliate and rejuvenate your skin.
Additional Info:
Duration: 60 minutes +
Transport: massage therapists can be scheduled to come to your rental home.
Fishing
If you’re coming to Costa Rica to fish, then Playa Flamingo is the place for you. From May to October, the coastline is teeming with all kinds of fish, including waves of bait fish swimming right up to shore. You can reach mahi and tuna on just a half-day charter, and full-day charters will get you to bigger catches, like wahoo, tuna, marlin and even sailfish.
From November to April, your trip will involve a little more travel to reach the good fishing spots, but hey, you’re on a boat–enjoy it! Best of all, you can bring your catch to many of the local restaurants or hire a private chef to prepare one of the best meals you’ll have here.
Additional Info:
Duration: half to full day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: early AM
Surfing/SUP
From your vacation rental in Playa Flamingo, surfing and surf SUP are just a quick trip down the road to the beaches of Playa Grande and Tamarindo, where surf shops have plenty of boards for you to rent. If you’re new to surfing and looking to give it a try, let one of the seasoned professionals guide you with lessons before you try your luck on the year-round swells.
If you’re not quite ready for the thrill of riding the waves, you can try your hand at flatwater SUP right outside of your beach house in Playa Flamingo. SUP is a challenging, full-body workout- perfect for keeping your beach-bod in shape while on vacation.
Additional Info:
Duration: 90 minutes – all day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: check with the local surf shop/guides for tides and swell conditions.
Mountain Biking
For a day among the gorgeous mountains of Playa Danta, all you need is a quick trip from your rental in Playa Flamingo, some energy, and a readiness to be wowed by the scenery and the views. There is a fully-stocked bike outfitter in Playa Danta that provides everything you need – including experienced and patient guides – or you can bring your own gear and explore on your own.
Though a solo adventure can be thrilling, the professional guides will show you hard-to-spot flowers, or name the colorful bird that sweeps through the path. From the vantage point of the mountains, you can even see schools of fish in the sea below, and a refreshing dip in the ocean is a perfect end to your biking adventure.
Additional Info:
Duration: half to full day
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: AM
Day Pass to Sailing Center
For all kinds of watersports, the Costa Rica Sailing Center is conveniently located in Potrero Bay, just minutes from Playa Potrero and Playa Flamingo. This is a great place to bring a group or a family, and the Center offers rentals and lessons. Learn basic sailing, or for the already sea-worthy captains out there, rent a boat for the day, or, if you’re brave, embark on a three-hour tour (a three…hour….tour!) for up to six people. If you’re around for the summer, enroll your kids in a sailing camp or the ever popular Water Groms, where kids get to swim, snorkel, sail, kayak, and boogie board under expert supervision. Whatever water activities you’re looking for on your Costa Rica vacation, Costa Rica Sailing Center has all the equipment and know-how for the things you want to do.
Additional Info:
Duration: as long as you like
Transport: available, but needs to be arranged
Best time to go: any time!
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga Schedule
Bahia del Sol Beachfront Hotel
Tues/Wed/Thurs/Sat
All Classes start at 8:30am
Mat/Blocks provided
Drop in $10
Restaurants in Playa Flamingo
Coco Loco
Right on Flamingo beach, dining with the sand between your toes doesn’t get much better. Casually cool and relaxed, Coco Loco offers unrivaled sunset views sure to delight. The chef is French, trained by the best and it shows. The menu puts to good use the freshest of local ingredients- the coconut seafood curry is served quite boldly, in a coconut, and all but dares you not to find it divine.
- Open: Daily 11:00am to 9:00pm
- Price range: moderate
- Payment accepted: cash, credit cards
- Location: South end of Flamingo Beach, 650 Meters South of Flamingo Beach Resort.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-6242 info@cocolococostarica.com
Marie’s Restaurant
Chicken sandwiches, fish tacos, margaritas tend to be the biggest hits here at the best price. Maries serves Mexican, American, Central American fare and the menu is diverse, with something for everyone. Open for breakfast, lunch and dinner most days.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4136
Mariner Inn
With typical bar food, mexican food, local Costa Rican cuisine, The Mariner Inn is a decent spot for a burger, chicken fajitas or a delicious breakfast. Cold beers, and sports on the TVs with terrace, open air tables- OK for a relaxed, casual meal for those not in a hurry to be anywhere.
- Open: until late
- Price range: moderate
- Payment accepted: cash and credit cards
- Location: If you are coming from Brasilito area, pass by CPI spanish school, go over the bridge and find the Mariner Inn straight ahead.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4081
Angelina’s
Owner and Executive Chef Joseph Mucaria and his brother dive for fresh fish each day, serving it up in globally-inspired locally-sourced dishes like spicy calamari paired with grilled baby octopus. The oven-fired pizzas and baked mariscada will leave you full and happy, and the Crème Brule is a guest favorite and a perfect finishing touch. With everything from gluten-free to vegetarian, there’s something for everyone at Angelina’s.
- Open: Daily from 4:00pm to 10:00pm
- Price range: moderate to high ($8-$35)
- Payment accepted: cash, Visa and Mastercard accepted
- Location: Angelina’s is located on the second floor of Centro Commercial shopping center in Playa Flamingo.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4839
Restaurante Pleamar
Serving up authentic Costa Rican cuisine, this ocean-front restaurant is the perfect place for a tasty lunch or an incredible sunset dinner. With local favorites such as rice and beans, ceviche and casados, you’ll get a great taste of Guanacaste’s traditional fares, or bring in your own catch of the day and they’ll cook it to perfection for you. If you didn’t have much luck in your fishing ventures, the whole grilled red snapper is a guest favorite, and the constant ocean breeze paired with your favorite drink will make this place unforgettable.
- Open: Daily, 11:15am to 9:30pm
- Price range: low
- Payment accepted: cash
- Location: You can find Restaurante Pleamar on the cross roads of Potrero and Flamingo Beach, at Banco Nacional Playa Flamingo 100mtrs Oeste, Playa Flamingo 506.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4521
Estero Azul
Restaurant Estero Azul is located near Flamingo on your way to Potrero, and it’s well worth finding. Serving up authentic Tico food every day, you’ll find such favorites as ceviche and grilled mahi mahi, either lightly breaded or served in lemon butter sauce. Many seafood dishes are available, but the staff is highly accommodating to vegans and vegetarians as well.
- Open: Daily for breakfast until late
- Price range: low
- Payment accepted: cash
- Location: Follow the road to Potrero out of Flamingo. As you come upon a sharp turn where the road leaves the beach, turn onto the beach instead. Walk about 100 meters and you’ll see a place called “Plaemar.” Turn onto the alley next to it and follow the lane to the right. You’ll find us at the end of the road!
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4607
Limonada At Las Catalinas
Set on the beach at Playa Danta- a destination in itself, Limonada offers an extensive menu made with fresh local ingredients. The seating is comfortable, and diverse- choose from feet-in-the-sand comfort, terrace dining by the bar or head upstairs for a more peaceful spot to relax. Kid-friendly, dog-friendly. The ceviche options are delicious, the burgers are beefy and huge, the mussels in chipotle cream sauce are to-die-for.
- Open: 7 days 7:00am to 8:00pm.
- Price range: moderate to high
- Payment accepted: cash, credit cards
- Location: on the beach at Playa Danta, Las Catalinas.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-6150 limonada@lascatalinascr.com
The Beach House
A cute little restored beach house, making you feel like you are on the water in Florida- The Beach House is a great spot to relax and enjoy the view. Sunset is special here, where you can watch the sailboats return to shore while sipping a fabulous cocktail or ice cold beer. Fresh local seafood and classic American foods make up a tantalizing menu to please everyone. The Tuna Tartare is sensational and the desserts too.
- Open: 7 days 11:00am to 9:00pm Saturday and Sunday open for breakfast 9:00am.
- Price range: moderate
- Payment accepted: cash, credit cards
- Location: as you head north towards Potrero from Flamingo, located on your left, 50 meters past where the boat launch is. Approximately 1km north from Banco Nacional Flamingo.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-6203
Las Brisas
On the beach, at Playa Potrero, this is a real local’s spot. Fresh seafood, good local typical food, great for those wanting an authentic experience. Cheap beer, a full bar with cocktails and smoothies, this is a good spot to get away from the touristy zones. A party spot on Wednesday nights for their famous ‘Ladies Night Beach Party’.
- Open: Lunch and dinner
- Price range: low
- Payment accepted: cash
- Location: right on the beach at Playa Potrero. As you pass by the soccer field, take a sharp left toward the beach and you will find it there on the right.
El Castillo
Famous for his cheesecake, Harlan makes El Castillo a must-stop. The Cashew Chicken gives those who appreciate an Asian-style meal a taste of the orient, while the meatball sub provides a dose of good old-fashioned comfort food. Ribs on a Friday night are not-to-miss and the bar is well stocked with every libation one could imagine. Family friendly, relaxed atmosphere with good vibes.
- Open: 11:00am to 10:00pm daily. Closed Sundays.
- Price range: moderate
- Payment accepted: cash, credit cards
- Location: as you head north towards Potrero from Flamingo, located on your right hand corner, opposite Costa Rica Sailing Club/ Bahia del Sol.
- Contact info: (506) 2573-4233
La Locanda
La Locanda Pizzeria is known for its generous glasses wine and delicious wood-oven-fired pizzas, either for eat-in or take-out. With Italian appetizers, plenty of pastas, and tasty desserts on the menu, there’s plenty to choose from, including a bacon-wrapped filet mignon with mashed potatoes and veggies if you’re craving a taste of home.
- Open: Closed Thursday, open Friday-Wednesday from 5:00pm to 10:00pm, OR 11:00am-10:00pm Monday-Saturday (TripAdvisor and Lonely Planet say different things, respectively)
- Price range: low to moderate ($10-$40)
- Payment accepted:
- Location: Located on Route 180 from Brasilito and an easy drive from Flamingo Resort at the Arenas Commercial Center.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4085
The Shack
The Shack is a friendly place to have some good local food, hear great live music, and enjoy the sea breezes as the night cools off. With all the best of American and Costa Rican foods, you’ll find something to come back for: bagels, pizza, hummus, and even hot dogs. Try El Gran Vegetariano sandwich, or dive into the “Famoso ‘Fish and Chips’” with locally sourced fish.
- Open: is open for breakfast and dinner only
- Price range: low ($3-$12)
- Payment accepted: Visa, American Express, Mastercard, cash
- Location: 2009 Paseo Potrero, in Surfside Potrero, just 2 blocks from the beach.
- Contact info: (506) 2654-6038
La Perla
You’ll be glad you came to Perla’s. For breakfast, the sticky cinnamon bun is a Perla’s favorite, or go hearty with some hash browns. Try the tuna tacos or mushroom burger for lunch, then come back for Wings Wednesday or a rib dinner with live music, karaoke, and dancing. Some other dinner delights include garlic shrimp, tropical grilled chicken, and of course, big juicy burgers. You’ll come hungry and leave happy after a night of good, simple food, and a great selection of drinks.
- Open: Monday-Saturday, 6:00am-Midnight
- Price range: Low to moderate
- Payment accepted: Cash only
- Location: Located on the corner of Route 911, beside Conchitas Bar and close by The Shack, with the Flamingo Potrero bus stop right out front!
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4500
Maxwells
Take the road just south of the market ruins or follow signs) – an expatriate hangout owned by transplants from Venice Beach California. Quiet breakfast / lunch spot in surfside estates, serving all fresh and yummy food. Homemade chili Verde, homemade pork and chicken sausage, and great omelets. Gardens, birds, and more.
- Open: Monday-Sunday, 7:00am till 06:00 PM
- Payment accepted: Cash and credit card
- Contact info: (506) 2654-4319
La Forketta (food 2 go)
Next to Bar la Perla in Potrero-Surfside Great food, fantastic staff. Great lasagna and veal. Amazing potatoes! Everybody want to try every pizza here.
- Open: Dinner from 4:00pm till 09:00 pm (delivery services)
- Payment accepted: Credit cards and cash
- Contact info: (506) 2215 0226
Agua Y Sal
Agua y Sal creates delicious traditional Costa Rican baked goods, with a decidedly North American twist. On any day, you may find warm empanadas & enchiladas sharing a space with rosemary & tomato quiche and pecan pie. Non-traditional breakfast items like cinnamon raisin french toast with bacon can be found on the menu next to typical Taco fare like gallo pinto. If you are far from home, a familiar brownie may be just the thing to cheer you up. Of course, no breakfast would be complete without a great cup of coffee and Agua y Sal make it to order, so you can get your favorite latte, cappuccino, Americano or iced frappuccino to cool you down when temperatures soar.
- Open: Monday – Saturday from 7:00am to 4:00pm
- Price range: Low to moderate ($1-$10)
- Payment accepted: cash only
- Location: Agua Y Sal is located 500 meters before the entrance to Mar Vista on the way to Flamingo in Brasilito.
- Contact info: (506) 8702-3019
Cervecería Independiente
We like to drink good beer. We make beer because beer is good, and we believe good beer is better. With all the things one could say about Costa Rica we felt it necessary to add great local brews to the experience. With an eye towards quality ingredients and a carefully controlled process, we find inspiration in the character of the tropical fruits found nearby and the flavors that make this area so special. Cerveceria Independiente is the first brewery of it’s kind in the seaside town of Potrero.
- Open: 10:00 -18:00
- Price range: Low to moderate
- Payment accepted: Cash and credit card
- Location: Located Ruta 911, 200 Metros Este de Costa Rica Sailing Center near to Panache Sailing, Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
- Contact info: (506) 8464 0935
Potrero Grill
Potrero Grill bar and restaurant is a family oriented, quaint restaurant with friendly, personable staff and great food. The steaks and pizza are becoming more and more famous for the best in the area.