Last Updated: January 31, 2024
Located in Guanacaste Province, right next to some of the region’s most popular destinations, is the unassuming town of Potrero. Driving through, you may not think much of this rural beach area. But upon closer look, you will discover a charming community that is perfectly situated for exploring some of Costa Rica’s most gorgeous beaches.
In this post, we’ll give you an idea of Potrero’s layout, restaurants, and accommodations. We’ll also highlight some area beaches you won’t want to miss.
Orientation
Overview
Northern Guanacaste Province is made up of a couple of different clusters of beach towns.
The most visited is the busy Tamarindo and its surrounds. This includes the beach towns north of Tamarindo like Playa Grande and then Playa Conchal, Playa Brasilito, and Playa Flamingo. Potrero, just five minutes past Flamingo, is the last major town you’ll come to in this group.
Geographically, Potrero is literally at the end of the road. While farther north there are more destinations like Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, and the Papagayo, these are separated from Potrero by mostly wild jungle. The one road that does connect them, Route 911, was recently paved. However, it is still narrow, slower, and impacted by seasonal flooding. This keeps many people away, giving Potrero a typically quiet feel.
Town Set Up
Potrero is divided into two main areas. Coming from the south, you’ll enter a neighborhood called Surfside. It runs from the beach just inland.
Within Surfside is a small residential development. It’s made up of vacation homes and private residences, with a few businesses in between. Many of the properties are owned by expats, but you’ll find some Costa Ricans too. Some streets have mostly high-end vacation homes, while others are more mixed, with empty lots or simple structures.
These quiet streets are a couple of blocks away from the beach, and are dotted with towering Guanacaste trees. You can often hear the calls of howler monkeys coming from the treetops.
Adjacent to this development is a main road that leads to Potrero Bay. Along this stretch are some restaurants, stores, the Costa Rica Sailing Center, and even a craft beer brewery.
If you keep heading north along Route 911, in a few minutes, you will come to the older area of town. This has more of a local feel, with a soccer field, school, church, smaller homes, sodas (local restaurants), and a few basic grocery stores. This area is closer to Playa Penca and Playa Prieta (see below).
Activities in and Around Potrero
Beaches
The focal point of Potrero is definitely the beaches. Not only does it have the main beach right in town, but it has great access to some lesser known spots as well. Below are some beaches worth exploring.
Playa Potrero
Potrero Bay runs all the way from the southern point in Flamingo up to the northern end of Potrero, near the soccer field. Since the bay is sheltered, the water is fairly calm and swimmable. You’ll see people on stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, or even small sailboats that can be rented in town.
Playa Potrero is not the most scenic beach in the area, but its dark tan sand is still a nice place to spend an hour or two. Especially since it is seldom busy. Sunsets here are also really nice!
The beach doesn’t have much shade, as most palm trees are set back. But there are a few fig trees with nice cover just in front of the Bahia del Sol property.
Playa Penca
The next beach on the northern end of town is Playa Penca (see cover photo, above).
Not to be confused with the Playa Penca near Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste), you can find this beach by looking for the small sign just past the soccer field on the left. There’s a small parking area right as you come to the beach, and a sandy beach road continues up the coast.
Playa Penca has beautiful light sand (almost white) and clear turquoise water. Usually the waves are small and great for swimming, but that can change depending on conditions. It doesn’t have much for shade so keep that in mind.
Playa Prieta
On the other side of Playa Penca is Playa Prieta. This is a lesser-known beach because it is slightly harder to get to. You can either walk the beach trail from Playa Penca or drive via an unmarked side road (directions below).
Once you arrive, you will discover that Playa Prieta is well worth the effort. It’s a great place to spend the day, with a lot of shade from short, shrubby trees. The sand is a pretty, light tan, and the water is clear and perfect for swimming. You can also boogie board in the small waves.
Be sure to take the short walk to the northern end to see the rocky, vegetated point.
To drive to Playa Prieta, take the main road going towards Las Catalinas just after the soccer field in town. In about one km (0.6 miles), look for the turnoff for Villas Estival on the left. This is a steep road (best with a higher clearance vehicle) that leads to the small hotel and also a public parking area for Playa Prieta. There aren’t many spots so be sure to arrive early on weekends when it is busier with locals.
A guard will watch your car in exchange for a small tip. Still, be sure not to leave anything inside the car, as always in Costa Rica.
Playa Danta and Playa Dantita
Another 15 or so minutes north of Potrero on the road to Las Catalinas are two more beautiful beaches.
Playa Danta is a calm cove with light gray sand that fronts a development called Las Catalinas. Although this is private property, all beaches are public in Costa Rica so you can still access the beach. Playa Danta is popular with locals, especially on weekends.
Just on the other side of the point is the remote Playa Dantita. To get here, you take a short hike through the forest or walk along the rocks at low tide. The white sand and clear turquoise water, along with the nice backing of tropical shrubbery, make Playa Dantita the perfect place to waste away the day.
For more information on visiting Playa Danta and Playa Dantita, including how to access, read our post Playa Dantita: A Serene White Sand Beach in Guanacaste.
Playa Flamingo
Another nearby beach that we’d be remiss not to mention is Playa Flamingo, five minutes south of Potrero. This is one of Guanacaste’s most famous and is best known for its clean white sand.
Flamingo is more developed, so this beach is busier and has amenities like beach chair rentals and restaurants nearby.
Playa Conchal & Playa Brasilito
Only 15 minutes south of Potrero, you also have the beaches of Playa Brasilito and Playa Conchal.
Playa Brasilito is more of a locals’ beach. It’s a long stretch of sand and has some beautiful little islands just off the northern end.
Playa Conchal, just south of Brasilito, is a really special beach. Here, the sand is mostly made up of tiny broken shells and the water is clear and usually good for snorkeling. Playa Conchal is home to the Westin Reserva Conchal Resort, but if you aren’t staying there, you can still access the beach on foot. Our post, Playa Conchal: The Allure of Shell Beach, has much more info, including instructions for parking in a secure lot.
Other Activities
In addition to the beaches, other things to do in the Potrero area include stand up paddleboard, kayaking, and sailing. Equipment can be rented from the Costa Rica Sailing Center on Playa Potrero.
Catamaran tours are also available out of the nearby Flamingo Marina. These take you along the coast and to secret beaches for swimming and snorkeling.
Dive and snorkel tours are another fun way to enjoy the ocean. The area has many companies that will take you to the Catalina Islands or Bat Islands to see things like manta rays, turtles, moray eels, puffer fish, and other interesting tropical fish.
For those looking for some adventure, the nearby Diamante Eco-Adventure Park has a super long zip line overlooking the ocean. They also have an animal sanctuary and cultural tour so it’s easy to spend the whole day.
Restaurants in Potrero
Potrero is relatively small, but still has several great restaurants. In addition, you’re right around the corner from Playa Flamingo, with even more choices.
Here are some spots to check out in town.
The Shack Restaurant and Bar
The Shack is a staple in Potrero. It has been around for several years and is a locals’ hangout. This friendly spot serves casual food in their open-air restaurant right on the main road in Surfside. With lots of TVs, it’s a good place to watch the game while sipping a local craft beer. The food isn’t fancy but nicely done. We really enjoyed our Mahi sandwich and burger with hand-cut fries. Check out their Facebook page for the menu and info on live music.
La Forketta
If you’re craving Italian, look no further than La Forketta. They have wood-fired pizza and typical offerings like cured meat plates, bruschetta, and spaghetti, lasagna, and ravioli. Visit their Facebook page for the full menu. Located in Surfside on the corner of the main road and Route 911.
Accommodations in Potrero
Vacation Rentals
Potrero is a great destination for families and larger groups because of its many vacation rentals. You can find these in Surfside and in other neighborhoods around town.
During our visit, we stayed right in Surfside and thought it was a great location. We were just a ten or so minute walk to the beach, and restaurants were right around the corner.
Overall, the nightly rates for vacation rentals in Potrero are lower than other nearby destinations, like Tamarindo or Flamingo.
Hotels
Potrero has some smaller hotels and also one mid-size resort for those looking for a hotel experience. Here are a few good options.
Curiol Boutique Hotel & Lounge
This super chic, eco-friendly hotel has a beautiful property in Surfside. Nestled under the Guanacaste trees, you can try glamping in one of their stylish platform tents or opt to stay in an enclosed villa with A/C. Curiol Boutique Hotel & Lounge only has a handful of rooms, so the property feels very intimate. Rooms are spaced out nicely and are only a short walk from the spacious pool. Around $150-200/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Horizon Lodge
Horizon Lodge is a small property with four modern condos set high on a hill. Everything here is about enjoying the view. Huge windows and outdoor spaces overlook the tropical forest and ocean in the distance. Has a small, but nice, infinity pool. Deluxe One Bedroom or Two Bedroom Apartment, $180-200/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Bahia del Sol Beachfront Boutique Hotel
This hotel fronts Playa Potrero so you can walk from your room right onto the sand. While small, Bahia del Sol still has a resort feel, with a large pool and swim up bar, many loungers, and a restaurant on-site. It’s perfect for couples, with Suites and Deluxe rooms, as well as families who can stay in a Family Suite. Keep in mind that some rooms are in a better location than others. $145-350/night. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Conclusion
If you’re looking to explore some of the Guanacaste region’s amazing beaches, Potrero is a great home base. It’s just a short drive to well-known spots like Playa Flamingo and Playa Conchal, and lesser known ones are right around the corner. While small, the town still has all the makings of a great vacation.
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Have a question about visiting Potrero or have you already been? Leave us a comment below.
Looking for more information to plan your visit to Costa Rica? Check out these posts:
Tamarindo: Where Paradise Meets Convenience – Looking for a little more going on? Check out Tamarindo. This bustling beach town south of Potrero has more restaurants, bars, and nightlife.
Samara: Guanacaste’s Most Overlooked Beach Town – Samara is another smaller beach town, in southern Guanacaste Province. It has a nice downtown with restaurants, shops, and accommodations just steps from the beach.
Costa Rica Rental Car Discount: We highly recommend a rental car when visiting Potrero so that you can explore the area beaches. Visit our rental car page for 10% or more off the base rate, plus free extras like a second driver and car seats. You can even request a free cooler for those beach trips!
Nice story and coverage of the Potrero area. We were based in Playas Del Coco while we lived in Costa Rica. One of our favorite areas to venture to was Potrero to experience a relaxing day.
At the north end of Playa Potrero we found La Brisas Restaurante Bar. Farther south in the middle of Playa Brasilito I hope you discovered Indira Bar and Restaurant (behind the futbol field) which looks pretty dilapidated but the food is excellent. High tide waves are an awesome sight.
You definitely find a way laid back Pura Vida lifestyle there compared to Flamingo, Tamarindo, or even Playas Del Coco. It has a lot of native Costa Rica characteristics with very friendly Ticos.
Hey Nick, I am retired and I am seriously considering moving to Costa Rica from Atlanta, Ga
I am looking for someone I can speak to regarding questions I have.
Can you please help me or forward my email.
Thank you very much Nick.
Hi Dolores, We have lived in Costa Rica for 7 years and spent some of that time in Guanacaste. If you would like someone to help with questions about your possible move, we are doing a video chat service for a limited time. Here is the link with more information.
Hi Nick, Thanks for reading and sharing your experience from when you lived in Playas del Coco. We didn’t make it to Las Brisas Restaurant while we were in Potrero but we’ll check it out next time. We’ve seen Indira in Brasilito before but didn’t spend much time in Brasilito this trip. Not sure they are open these days. A lot of things on the beach in Brasilito had closed last time we were down there, when the government stopped allowing people to drive on the beach to get to Conchal.
Yes, Potrero definitely has a more laid back and authentic feel than some of the busier tourist destinations in Guanacaste. Thanks again for commenting and pura vida!
Great, let all the tourists know about the one beach that wasn’t clogged with gringos!! Leave something for the Ticos to enjoy.
You are talking about some of my favorite places in CR. Playa Conchal is a lovely dream. A beautiful swimming beach with the ocean a multitude of different shades of blue. Brazilito is not much of a town though. Our favorite area is Samara. It is seeing expanded growth there. Especially with the Defresnes family youtube videos bringing many expats into town. Samara Beach is great for swimming and beginning surfers. Neighboring Playa Carillo next door gives Playa Conchal a run for its money as one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen. We have enjoyed Samara the last 3 years in a row and are so disappointed that we will be unable to go this December with things being as they are right now.
Costa Rica gets in your heart and in your mind. I feel the pull to return every day. Lucky for you to have made the move that many of us feel too scared to do. Enjoy.
Hi Joni, We love Samara too. It’s similar to Potrero in that it’s a little smaller and less busy than other places in Guanacaste. Great beach and good for swimming. That’s sad that you will miss your annual December trip. Hope you can get back here soon!
We used to stay at Playa Hermosa, but when our hotel was booked we found Bahia del Sol and fell in love with Potrero. We have stayed several places and have eaten everywhere, and we just love it! We enjoy the laid back feel and have become friends with many friendly locals and expats. We are coming back in February 2021, and renting a condo. From there we are planning to buy a property in Surfside
That’s great, Tom! We can definitely see why you like Potrero. Hope you have a great visit when you come in February and best of luck with your plans to buy property. Pura vida!
On our first visit to CR in 2018, we stayed at the Sugar Beach Resort near Potrero and loved it! We’re planning a return trip in 2021, and may be scouting for a semi-permanent residence in the area. Can’t wait to get back!
Hi Beckye, Sugar Beach is a gorgeous spot! Glad you’re coming back next year. And awesome that you may be scouting for a place of your own. How fun!
Our family is traveling to Potrero in January and I have a couple of questions about service availability in town. Thanks so much!
Hi Jessi, Feel free to ask your questions right on here. Or, your hotel or vacation rental host could help with very specific questions.
Do they have ATMs that work with American cards in Potrero? How far is the closest gas station from town? We are traveling with our kids (teens/pre teen), any tips or tricks you would suggest?
The nearest ATM is in Flamingo, about 5 minutes away. Here’s a map link with the location. It’s a Banco de Costa Rica. All ATMs in Costa Rica work with foreign debit cards, you just may be charged a fee. Here’s a link to our Money Matters post with more information about that.
We think the closest gas station is in Huacas right on the main road, about 15 minutes from Potrero.
I can’t think of anything specific with teens and preteens. But maybe the Sailing Center in town would have some activities going on that they might like. Here is their Facebook page with more information. It looks like they have some camps going on end of December/early January.
Great info! We will be staying in Potrero in Dec. Can you walk north from Playa Potrero to the white sand beach of Playa Penca or is a car or taxi necessary? Thx.
Hi Bev, It could be a fairly long walk depending on where you are staying in Potrero. You could do it though, by walking to the northern end of the beach, then cutting back inland towards town to take the little side road to Penca. You may be able to walk the rocks at low tide as well but we aren’t totally sure. We have always driven when we’ve visited.
Can you tell me how far the kayak luminescent tour that you write about is from Potrero. We want to stay 3 days in this area, with the last night on the kayak tour. Should we stay the last night closer to the kayak area?
Hi Shelby, The bioluminescence tour is near Paquera, quite far from Potrero. We would definitely do that as a separate destination. The nearest town is Tambor.
Hi
We will be in Potrero for 9 days to end our 3 week trip. Do you think we need to keeo pur rental car the whole time or can we return it and still get around to other beaches close by? Thanks
Hi Smita, You could take taxis but it would be easiest to keep the car since you can’t walk to many of the beaches.
Hi! We are a group of 8 (4 couples) looking to book a house in Guanacaste. Right now we’re looking at a place in Playa Flamingo and in Potrero. Would love your opinion on which you think is best and/or how to think about the decision. Thank you!
Hi Jessica, Flamingo has a more high-end feel compared to Potrero. Many accommodations are right on the beach there, whereas in Potrero, most are a short walk or drive away. Potrero is a town with a mix of tourists and locals. Flamingo is pretty much all tourists. Hope that helps!
We just spent a lovely weekend in Potrero. On Saturday we followed your excellent directions for finding the beautiful beaches north of Potrero, starting at Playa Dantita and working our way down. Thank you! Playa Dantita was definitely our favorite. We took the path through the forest to get there and we walked along the rocks to get back. Play Penca was another favorite, and was surprisingly uncrowded for a Saturday afternoon.
One note: We parked our car in the Playa Dante and the Playa Penca parking areas, and at both locations the parking attendants charged us 2,000 colones. Unfortunately we’d spent most of the cash we had with us on an unexpected tire repair on our way up, so we had to go back to our hotel in Potrero to get more cash before they would let us park. We’re glad we persevered though. It was so worth it to get to Playa Dantita.
As for accommodations in Potrero, we really enjoyed staying at Bahia del Sol. Our room was lovely and we were just steps from the pool and the beach. We also enjoyed the open air restaurant, the happy hour, and the sunset views.
Thanks for your awesome website, Jenn and Matt. It has become our number one go-to resource for traveling in Costa Rica!
Hi Carrie, That sounds great. Glad you enjoyed your time in Potrero! Thanks for the heads up about the parking fee too.
We are looking in Playa Hermosa, Playa Portreo, & Tamarindo for our beach time during our first trip to Costa Rica. Our adult daughter has done bay & ocean fishing & wants to fish while we’re there. Is one of these areas better than the others for fishing?
Hi Mary, You can fish out of any of those beach towns. In Playa Hermosa, boats leave from Playas del Coco next door. Tamarindo has fishing boats and in Potrero, you can leave from the main bay or Flamingo next door. The vibe in these places is a lot different so we would choose based on that.
Hello from Potrero,
Just wanted to give you a quick update on Potrero.
Carpe Diem has closed. A new restaurant is now located in the same space here in Potrero. The name of the new place is Reparito House. I have not tried it personally but it is getting good reviews.
Also El Castillo restaurant in Surfside has closed a while back and the location/building is for sale.
Thanx in advance for you updating your Potrero information.
Sincerely,
Tim McDuffie
Hi Tim, Thanks for the updates. We heard about Carpe Diem closing but haven’t had a chance to update the post. Will so do soon.
We are staying in flamingo beach. What is the largest n closest grocery store as we are renting there for a month?
Thank you
Hi Carollee, Flamingo doesn’t have any big grocery stores. We would stock up at Super Compro in Huacas or you could go to the Auto Mercado near Tamarindo. That’s the nicest grocery store in the area.
I have narrowed down my beach stay to Potrero or Junquillal. Thoughts on better location with a five year old? Do either beaches have a kids playground? Family friendly nightlife (live music, fire dancers, etc)?
Hi Heather, Potrero has a lot more to do and more restaurants, live music and other events, etc. We would definitely do that with a five year old.
Hi there–my husband and I are visiting in August and wondering about cash vs. credit card usage at restaurants. We have a no-foreign transaction fee Amex but since it’s slightly outside the major tourist areas, we weren’t sure if cash was the better option.
We are also debating car rental v. golf cart rental. We are planning on a car service from the airport, and exploring the area beaches once we are there but nothing too far beyond that. Is most of what you describe in your post golf cart accessible or are we better off renting a car?
Thanks so much for the help!
Hi Lucy, It’s usually easiest to use your credit card at restaurants. They are widely accepted just about everywhere and definitely in Potrero. Just keep in mind that Amex is not accepted everywhere in Costa Rica so have a Visa or Mastercard as a backup. Here’s a link to our Money Matters post with lots more information on using credit cards, getting cash out, etc.
We would recommend renting a car so that you can get around to other area beaches that are harder to reach with a golf cart due to terrain, distance, etc. There are a lot to explore and it will be more comfortable in a car, especially in rainy season. Hope that helps! If you need any help arranging your airport transfers, feel free to reach out through our shuttles . We also have a rental car discount if you decide on that.
Thanks so much for your information! We were in Tamarindo two years ago and it seemed mostly tourists were there. We prefer to “feel” the local culture. Would you say Potrero is a good place for a retired (but energetic) couple to vacation for 1 month?
Thank you!
Hi Lori, Yes, definitely! Potrero has much more of a local feel than Tamarindo and other popular beach towns in Guanacaste. There’s also plenty to do in that area for a month. Best of luck with your plans!