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Aerial view of a curved beach below wooded hills in Guanacaste.

Costa Rica · Guanacaste

At sea: diving, sailing and fishing

Boat trips from Coco, Flamingo and Tamarindo to islands, bays and deep water.

6 places

  1. 1

    WaterOpen

    Diving at the Catalina Islands

    Off Flamingo and Potrero; departures from Coco, Flamingo or Tamarindo20.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    $145
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Two-tank dive trip to the Catalina Islands, known for giant manta rays as well as rays and reef sharks.

    Source: Rich Coast Diving – Playas del Coco dive trips · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Two tanks: $145 at a Coco dive centre (2026).

    Tip: Manta season usually runs from November to April. You need a certification; dive centres offer courses and try-dives.

    Nearby: Playa Flamingo (10.1 km) · Catamaran and sunset sails (10.3 km) · Playa Penca (10.6 km)

    Sources: Rich Coast Diving – Playas del Coco dive trips · Deep Blue Diving – Papagayo, Catalina and Bat Islands

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  2. 2

    WaterOpen

    Catamaran and sunset sails

    Departures from Tamarindo, Marina Flamingo and Playas del Coco16.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    From about $75
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Catamaran or sailboat trips from Tamarindo, Flamingo and Coco with a snorkel stop, food and drinks, returning at sunset.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    From about $75–99 per adult (plus VAT in some cases) in September 2026; private charters cost much more.

    Tip: Large catamarans are better if you get seasick. In season you may see whales, turtles and rays.

    Nearby: Playa Flamingo (0.8 km) · Playa Potrero (2.4 km) · Playa Penca (2.8 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Things to do in Tamarindo · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Flamingo · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playas del Coco

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  3. 3

    WaterSeasonal

    Bull shark diving at the Bat Islands

    Far north-west Guanacaste; departures from Playas del Coco64.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $182
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Advanced diving at the Bat Islands, inside Santa Rosa National Park’s marine sector, known for bull sharks.

    Bull shark season runs from May to October according to a Coco dive centre; the boat ride is long and depends on sea conditions. SINAC says the marine sector is reached only by sea and asks you to check whether it is open. Out of season, dive the Catalinas or the Papagayo sites.

    Source: Deep Blue Diving – Papagayo, Catalina and Bat Islands · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Two tanks: $182 at a Coco dive centre (season price, 2026).

    Tip: It is for divers experienced with currents and deep water.

    Sources: Deep Blue Diving – Papagayo, Catalina and Bat Islands · Rich Coast Diving – Playas del Coco dive trips · SINAC – Parque Nacional Santa Rosa · Wikipedia – Islas Murciélago

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  4. 4

    WaterOpen

    Sportfishing in Guanacaste

    Playas del Coco, Marina Flamingo and Tamarindo32.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $50
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Inshore and offshore fishing trips for sailfish, marlin, tuna, mahi-mahi and roosterfish from Coco, Flamingo and Tamarindo.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playas del Coco · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $$$ · over US$50

    Tip: The best offshore fishing near Flamingo runs from May to November; in the dry season the wind can be too strong.

    Nearby: Playas del Coco (0 km) · Playa Hermosa (Papagayo) (2.5 km) · Horseback riding in Guanacaste (2.9 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playas del Coco · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playa Flamingo · Wikivoyage – Tamarindo

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  5. 5

    BeachOpen

    Playa Nacascolo

    Papagayo Peninsula, about 1 h by road from Coco40.8 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A remote beach on the Papagayo Peninsula, backed by dry forest, often reached on boat trips.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playas del Coco · 2026

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: The peninsula is a large-resort zone with controlled vehicle access; ask how to get there before you go.

    Nearby: Horseback riding in Guanacaste (5.7 km) · Playa Hermosa (Papagayo) (6 km) · Playas del Coco (8.1 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playas del Coco

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  6. 6

    BeachOpen

    Playas del Coco

    About 30 min from Liberia airport32.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Beach town on the Gulf of Papagayo, a base for diving, sportfishing and boat trips, with the liveliest nightlife on this coast.

    Source: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playas del Coco · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: There are more than 15 dive sites 10–20 min away by boat; fishing trips leave from the town beach itself.

    Nearby: Sportfishing in Guanacaste (0 km) · Playa Hermosa (Papagayo) (2.5 km) · Horseback riding in Guanacaste (2.9 km)

    Sources: Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Playas del Coco · Deep Blue Diving – Papagayo, Catalina and Bat Islands

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