7 Interesting Facts About Coco in Costa Rica
Illustration: Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
One of the most treasured tourist destinations in Costa Rica is Coco. Plays del Coco, the beach community, offers rest and relaxation, as well as nighttime fun to the hoards of tourists who stop on buy for a week or two. Here are 7 interesting facts about Coco. Add it to your Costa Rica bucket list, or gain more information to prepare for your upcoming stay.
Largest Papagayo Village
Coco is the largest village on the Gulf of Papagayo in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica. The gulf is found at the very northwest of the country. Other areas near the gulf include Santa Rosa National Park, Culebra, and Playa Hermosa.
Grey Waters
One of the most distinctive features of Playas del Coco is the water. Throughout most of Costa Rica, the vibrant blue water has an equally vibrant green tint, creating that quintessential tropical water look. In Coco, however, the water is a blue-grey color.
Active Entertainment
As one of the more popular spots in the country, Coco delivers in the nightlife department. You may not have the wide array of restaurants with international cuisine or luxury resorts, but the party is alive and well in Coco. Expect music, dancing, and beer drinking all nights of the week, especially during dry season (November – March).
A Swimmer’s Beach
Whereas many beaches on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica are surfers’ havens – like Tamarindo or Playa Negra – Coco is not the place to catch waves. Instead, it is a marvelous place to swim. The waves are usually gentle, making it a great spot for family swimming/wading.
Water Activities
Other than swimming, Coco offers many water activities despite being a non-surfing town. Scuba diving, snorkeling, and kayaking are popular, as well as fishing. You can rent charter boats to take you out to fish too. It is also common to see boat tours out in the water for the tourists.
Coqueños
The locals of Coco call themselves the “Coqueños” (meaning “from Coco” in English). Like many other Costa Rica locals, the coqueños value family togetherness, a laidback lifestyle, and fun in the sun. Coco is a small fishing village, so you can find many locals catching fish.
International Airport Proximity
Since there are only two international airports in the country, you will often find yourself on long shuttle bus rides to your stop. Coco, however, happens to only be a quick 30 minutes away from the Liberia airport. This is one of the reasons Coco is so beloved by expats – quick access back to their home country.
