Playa Penca: A Gorgeous Beach in Guanacaste

Last Updated: July 2, 2025

Guanacaste is home to many beautiful beaches. This section of coastline along the northern Pacific coast is carved with inlets and coves. The topography makes for calm water, great swimming, and sometimes snorkeling. In this post, we’ll tell you about one of our favorite beaches in Guanacaste with all those things, Playa Penca. This is the Playa Penca near the destinations of Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco.

IMPORTANT UPDATE: In mid-2025, a new luxury resort called the Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique opened on Playa Penca. The property fronts the ocean, but you can still access the beach without staying at the hotel through a designated public access point. By law in Costa Rica, all beaches are public so the property needed to maintain access.

We have not been to Playa Penca since the resort opened, but have heard that there is now a parking area before you get to the hotel. To reach the beach, you have to walk down a long set of stairs (around 150 steps) along the edge of the property. If you have visited since access has changed, feel free to leave a comment below and we will update this post.

Background

Costa Rica has more than one Playa Penca. The most well-known beach of this name is in the town of Potrero near Playa Flamingo. This beach is very nice too, but the Playa Penca we are talking about here is near Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste.

Playa Penca sits on a long, narrow point between Playa Hermosa just north and Playas del Coco to the south. 

Access to Playa Penca

Getting to Playa Penca used to be an adventure on a rough, dirt road. Now, however, because of the resort, the road is nicely paved. 

If you’re up for some adventure, you also can reach Playa Penca by kayak. Rentals are available in Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco.

The Beach

Coming down the stairs, once you get close to the beach, you’ll start catching glimpses of the turquoise water through the wispy tropical foliage.

In front of you will be, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.

Playa Penca has fluffy light sand and gorgeous clear water. You can usually see right down to the bottom. Rocks flank each end of the small cove. A hill covered in greenery towers behind the southern end.

Short trees and shrubs back the beach and provide some shade.

The southern end (to the left) is where we usually spend our time. You can snorkel along the rocks here.

Snorkeling

When we have snorkeled at Playa Penca, we’ve seen a lot of interesting fish. Huge puffer fish, needle nose fish, schooling fish, starfish, and lots of small reef fish along the rocks and coral.

A little deeper in the water where it is cooler, there are some large spiky sea urchins. Some are attached to rocks a little close to the surface so just be careful.

One of the most interesting creatures we have seen at Playa Penca are spotted eagle rays. These are beautiful black fish with small white spots. Their wingspan can reach an impressive 11 feet (3.3 meters). Although they look similar to manta rays and have a long sharp tail, they are different.

Spotted eagle rays often come near the shore to feed. Although they tend to get everyone running out of the water, these rays are generally harmless unless you handle them. Seeing one is always a treat for us!

Ocean conditions can vary, but usually Playa Penca has calm water. Snorkeling is best at lower tides.

What to Bring to Playa Penca

Bring everything you will need for the day as there are no amenities in the immediate area (aside from the private resort). You’ll want your beach gear and snorkel equipment. For snorkeling, make sure your feet are protected with swim fins or water shoes (there are some sea urchins if you go out deep).

A water shirt/rash guard can help avoid burns. Although the beach has some shade, during dry season (January through April), cover can be sparse as many of the trees will have lost their leaves.

For sunscreen, Playa Penca still has some live coral so opt for a reef-safe sunscreen to help keep this beautiful ecosystem intact.

You can walk down the trail to the beach in flip-flops. Some may prefer a shoe that grips better like Keens.

Directions to Playa Penca Near Playa Hermosa

From Playa Hermosa, take the main road out of town towards Playas del Coco (Route 159). A few minutes from town near the top of the hill, look for the road leading to the Waldorf Astoria Punta Cacique.

The guard will ask where you are going and take your license plate and name.

In a few minutes, you’ll come to a beautiful viewpoint of Playa Hermosa and the Papagayo Peninsula beyond that. This is just a pull-off to the right, but a great place to get pictures.

Just past that, you’ll come to an area on the right where there may be cars parked. This is the parking area for another beach called Playa Calzón de Pobre. Playa Calzón de Pobre is also really pretty, with light tan sand and calm water. It is popular with locals. Playa Penca is located at the end of the point so keep going down the hill.

Near the bottom, you’ll come to the parking for Playa Penca. The parking is not secure so be sure to leave nothing inside your car, as always in Costa Rica.

Here is a Google Map with the approximate location.

Conclusion

Playa Penca is one of our favorite beaches in Costa Rica. With basically no waves, crystal clear water, and even snorkeling, it is the perfect spot for adults and kids alike. We highly recommend a visit if you are near Playa Hermosa or Playas del Coco in Guanacaste.

Have a question about visiting Playa Penca or have you been? Leave a comment below.

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Looking for more information to plan your visit to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:

Playa Hermosa, Guanacaste: Costa Rica’s Northern Beauty – Playa Hermosa is a great destination for exploring Playa Penca. This town is small but still has plenty of amenities.

Playa Carrillo: A Favorite Locals’ Beach in Guanacaste – If you’re into beach hopping, add Playa Carrillo near Samara to your itinerary. This is another gorgeous beach a couple of hours south of Playa Penca.

Things to Do: Looking for more fun activities for your trip? Our Things to Do articles give 150+ ideas for everything from catamaran tours and whale watching to local wildlife sanctuaries.