Restaurants, Beaches & More

Restaurant recommendations are personal and subjective but I've listed a few of my personal favorites below.

I'm always looking for the a good SODA!   They are small, family-run, casual restaurant or diner that serves authentic, affordable, and traditional Costa Rican cuisine. They are the local "mom-and-pop" spots, often featuring open-air seating and serving hearty, homemade meals like casados, gallo pinto, and fresh fruit juices.

Restaurants

  • Soda Mar & Tierra Doña Flor:  It is consistent and consistently delicious. Their Casado are amazing and are very reasonably priced.
  • Coconutz Brewhouse: Coconutz is the local "Expat" hangout & tourist Bar & Grill.  This lively spot offers house-brewed beers on tap, ranging from crisp lagers to bold IPAs and rich stouts.  The wings are pretty fantastic too!
  • Coco's Tiki Bar: Walking distance from the condo and the price is right!

  • Restaurante La Dolce Vita:  Authentic Italian food located right across the street from your condo with gluten free options!  "A delicious and extensive menu with many Italian-inspired dishes."

 

Beaches

  • Playa Hermosa: A tranquil, upscale, and family-friendly destination featuring a volcanic sand beach, calm, clear waters, and abundant shade trees. This area is perfect for snorkeling, sailing and diving.
  • Playa Ocotal: A tranquil, dark-sand beach located in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, just south of Playas del Coco, known for its clear waters, scenic cliffs, and excellent snorkeling. It offers a quieter alternative to nearby towns, featuring a protected bay with calm waters, inshore reef fish, and a popular restaurant, Father Rooster.
  • Playa Conchal:  Is renowned for being one of Costa Rica's most exotic beaches, famously covered in millions of tiny, crushed seashells rather than traditional sand. Located in Guanacaste, it is celebrated for its crystal-clear, turquoise water, excellent snorkeling opportunities, and calm, warm waters for swimming. 
  • Playa Nacascolo: A secluded, tranquil beach on Costa Rica's Papagayo Peninsula in Guanacaste, known for its calm, clear waters and white sand, making it ideal for swimming and snorkeling. Access is managed via a free shuttle from a public parking lot near the Andaz Costa Rica Resort.  Check out this review by Matt & Jen here.

Supermarkets

  • San Martin Coco: Meat shop with the great cuts and amazing prices!  Right across the street from your condo.
  • Super Lepron: This supermarket (or corner store) is walking distance from your condo.   We used this store when we first arrive to get our drinks and some eggs for breakfast.  I don't recommend doing all your groceries here, you will find it expensive!
  • Super New China: The store has everything you would need. Probably the closest thing to a Walmart you could find in the area without having to drive far.
  • Mega Super:Is noted for its organizational structure and diverse product availability.
  • Super Compro: We buy most of our groceries at this store.  Good selection of food and alcohol!
  • Super Leperon:  It is a charming little supermarket that surprises visitors with its extensive selection despite its modest exterior.
  • COCO SUNDAY MARKET: Walking distance from the condo and is only open on Sundays.