Last Updated: April 4, 2025
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 local 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 based on our recent visits. 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 area. This includes beach towns to the north like Playa Grande, Playa Conchal, Playa Brasilito, and Playa Flamingo. Potrero, just five minutes past Flamingo, is the last major town you’ll come to.
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, which our family loves.
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.
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 (Costa Rica’s national tree). 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, you’ll soon 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).
Things to Do in 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 you’ll want to check out.
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, 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 hotel 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, 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 also can boogie board or body surf in the small waves. This is super fun if you have kids – ours love jumping in the waves!
Be sure to take the short walk to the northern end to see the rocky, vegetated point.
Check out our short video of Playa Prieta
Directions to Playa Prieta: 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 dirt 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.
An unofficial guard will watch your car in exchange for a small tip (common in Costa Rica). Still, be sure not to leave anything inside the car just in case.
Playa Danta and Playa Dantita
Another 15 or so minutes north of Potrero on the road to Las Catalinas are two more beautiful beaches. These are secluded and a little harder to access.
Playa Danta is a calm cove with light gray sand that fronts a large 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. It’s also the hub of Marina Flamingo.
Playa Conchal & Playa Brasilito
Only 15 minutes south of Potrero, you also have 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 more info, including instructions for parking.
Other Activities
Water Sports
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 the main beach.
Catamaran Tours
Catamaran tours are out of the nearby Flamingo Marina are one of the most popular activities. These take you along the coast and to secret beaches for swimming and snorkeling.
We have done a couple of these and really enjoyed it. For more information and help booking, just use the link below and we will take care of all the arrangements. Booking through us doesn’t cost anything extra and helps support our website.
Diving 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 or Bat Islands to see things like manta rays, turtles, moray eels, puffer fish, and other interesting tropical fish.
Diamante Park
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. You’re also 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 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.
Soda Marcell
For simple but delicious traditional Costa Rican food, head to Soda Marcell.
This small restaurant draws a mix of locals and tourists with its excellent cuisine. The arroz con camarones (rice with shrimp) and casados (meat or fish with rice and beans and side salads) are big and delicious.
Soda Marcell is located on Route 911 before the turn.
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.
Potrero Brewing Company & Courtyard Restaurants
Right in the main area of Potrero is an awesome brewery where you can try local craft beer like a West Coast IPA or pitaya wheat. They also have root beer floats for the kids.
The brewery doesn’t serve food, but right outside its doors is an outdoor food court with a few restaurants. You can order from any of them (they give you a beeper) and sit at the brewery or at one of the tables outside.
We loved the sandwiches and donuts from Carpe Diem 2.0, pizza and tuna sliders from Gracia El Garden, and delicious burritos from Gritanga. All the food was affordable and very good quality.
Accommodations in Potrero
Vacation Rentals
Potrero is a great destination for families and groups because of its many vacation rentals. You can find these in Surfside and in other neighborhoods around town.
During one of our visits, 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 small 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!
