After a few wild and wonderful days in Arenal, we headed west to the Pacific Coast for the beach portion of our Costa Rica adventure. Our home base was the dreamy Villa Corazon del Mar, a beachfront Airbnb in Potrero complete with an infinity pool overlooking the ocean – perfect for catching sunsets. We kicked things off with a chill afternoon of beach lounging. The next day brought a bit more adrenaline with a surf lesson in Tamarindo, a beachfront lunch at Pangas, and tropical brews at Volcano Brewing Co. To top it off, we spent our final morning scuba diving, exploring the vibrant underwater world near Las Catalinas Islands. Sun, surf, and sea turtles – this stretch of the trip was pura vida at its finest.
💡Travel Tips for Potrero and Tamarindo
- 🏖️ Potrero is peaceful, Tamarindo is lively – Potrero offers a quiet beach escape, while Tamarindo is great for surf, restaurants, and nightlife.
- 🏡 Stay beachfront if you can – Sunsets from oceanfront spots like Villa Corazon del Mar are stunning and worth the splurge.
- 👟 Bring comfy shoes – Both towns are walkable, but you’ll appreciate sturdy sandals or sneakers for beach paths and town strolls.
- 🏄♂️ Book your surf lessons in advance – Iguana Surf in Tamarindo is perfect for beginners and fills up quickly.
- 🍺 Grab a drink at Volcano Brewing Co – Relax with craft beer, hammocks, and ocean views.
- 🤿 Scuba tours to Las Catalinas leave early – Be ready for early departures, and bring reef-safe sunscreen and seasick meds, if needed.
- 🛒 Stock up on snacks and water – Convenience stores are nearby, but it’s smart to prep before hitting the beach for the day.
- ☀️ Use sunscreen and wear a rash guard – The sun is strong on the coast, especially midday and during water activities.
Itinerary
This itinerary is based on the Potrero (Pacific coast) portion of our 2019 trip from January 19-21.
🏖️ Day 1 – Beach Bound
- 🚗 8:00 AM: Drive to Potrero (Pacific Coast)
- 🏠 11:00 AM: Arrive at Villa Corazon del Mar Airbnb
- 🍽️ 12:00 PM: Lunch nearby @ The Shack (13 min walk)
- 🌊 Free afternoon at the beach for snorkeling and relaxing
- 🍽️ Dinner @ Las Brisas for beach front views (Other options: Perlas for live music or The Shack)
🏄 Day 2 – Surf & Sunset
- 🏄♂️ 9:00 AM: Surf lesson at Iguana Surf ($45/person)
- 🍽️ 12:00 PM: Lunch in Tamarindo @ Pangas Beach Club
- 🍻 2:00 PM: Drinks at Volcano Brewing Co.
🤿 Day 3 – Scuba & Coastal Vibes
- 🤿 7:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Las Catalinas Dive with Pacific Coast Dive Center ($110/person)
- 🥘 12:30 PM: Lunch in Potrero
- 🚗 2:00 PM: Drive to Playas del Coco (~40 min)
See Playas del Coco and Arenal (La Fortuna) blogs for tips on these areas.
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