A Home Away From Home in Playas del Coco

There is something inexplicable in the air of Playas del Coco that draws travelers of all ages and experiences to return to this small fishing village tucked away on the northern Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Many turn Coco into their temporary home while they set out for a day, or a couple, to explore volcanoes, rivers and national parks of the northern and central Costa Rica.

Rincon de la Vieja, Lake Arenal or the breathtaking pathways of Monteverde are just a couple of hours drive away.

When you return back home from your travels, you will often recollect glimpses of Playas del Coco. You will remember local school children in their crisp uniforms walking home in the heat of the afternoon; you will reminisce about the waves coming onto the gunmetal sand, when the sky flows through the colors of sunset and pelicans come close to shore for their catch of the day; and you will remember great warmth - emanating from the sun as much as from the community of people you will meet on your journey.

When you arrive to begin your adventure however, your first concern will be to secure a proper lodging option for your stay. In Playas del Coco many such options are available, all depending on the length and purpose of your trip. Certain guests prefer to book a room at a hotel or a B&B, while others pick a condo or a house for rent.

If you are planning to visit Playas del Coco for a short period of time (less than a week), you might consider staying at a hotel or a B&B - where cleaning will usually be included in the nightly fee, and breakfast will also be offered. There are a number of comfortable options available directly in the village, all of which will put you close to the beach and the main street at the same time.

However, if your plans take you to Playas del Coco for an extended period of time, you can look into renting a condo or a house (all depending on your preference and budget). You will most likely be able to get a better deal on the nightly rate if you stay for longer (often, a two weeks rental comes very close to the cost of a monthly one, allowing you to basically extend the length of your trip for the same price). Staying in a condo will also give you access to a full kitchen, so you will be able to prepare your own meals; and if you are lucky, even share them in good company with your neighbors and friends.

Playas del Coco offers a number of vacation rental options. There are a handful of companies specializing in property rentals to choose from, so you will have the possibility to shop around. Most rentals require a 50% deposit at the time of reservation with the rest of the funds being due at check-in. Many condo owners also request mandatory security deposits (the amount of which will be  established depending on the value of the condo) that are payable at check-in and reimbursed fully during check-out provided you do not make major damages to the original state of the condo.

Regardless of where you choose to stay during your passage through Playas del Coco, you will benefit from the local atmosphere. During the first part of the week the village will be quiet, and this will be an opportune time to take a trip to explore Costa Rica.

There are plenty of possibilities to consider - you can rent a car and venture out on your own; or you can participate in one of the numerous organized tours leaving directly from Coco on a daily basis.

As the weekend approaches however, the village will transform itself into a bustling party scene, with locals and tourists alike converging on the main street for dining and dancing under the warm Costa Rican sky.

Retired travelers often come to Playas del Coco for a month, or three, during the winter. Families visit to let their children play in the waves and meet some of the inhabitants of the Costa Rican jungle. Younger crowds converge for surfing and outdoor activities.  Regardless of your initial purpose however, you will soon come to realize that you can imagine yourself staying in Playas del Coco  just a bit longer - so you can breathe; enjoy outdoor suppers that start at sunset and go  on for hours;  pick up a gelato on your way to take a stroll on the beach; or simply experience the freedom of taking your car on the open road towards new discoveries.

By Dina Dumenko, Founding Partner of Pure Travel Costa Rica S.A. in Playas del Coco.

Pure Travel Costa Rica specializes in vacation rentals in the Golfo de Papagayo area (Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa and Playa Ocotal).

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