Playa Flamingo is one of the most popular places in Costa Rica. It is considered a tropical beach paradise with clear, blue water and soft white sand.
At Playa Flamingo, you’ll find a crescent-shaped pristine beach with a grand marina. In fact, it’s a favorite destination for tourists and locals alike.
Within this guide, I’ll explain about the beach and town, helping you plan your visit. Let’s dive in (no pun intended).
Location: Costa Rica, Playa Flamingo
You’ll find Playa Flamingo Beach in the Guanacaste province, and it’s roughly 27 miles (41 kilometers) from Guanacaste Airport. This is about a one-hour drive.
Then, Flamingo Beach is a 4.5-hour drive from the San Jose Airport, which is about 170 miles or 273 kilometers.
How to Get to Playa Flamingo (Guanacaste Province)
Drive
If you want to drive to Playa Flamingo from the Guanacaste Airport, it will take about one hour. Traveling by day is the best, and you’ll likely utilize the Route 911 Monkey Trail because it’s faster. There are two river crossings, but you can avoid them by using The Congo Trail Property (open from 8 AM to 5 PM daily).
When I went to the area at night, I made sure to travel through Huacas on Route 155 and Route 21 because those are fully paved roads. While it’s possible to use the Route 911 Monkey Trail in the evenings, it’s somewhat more stressful.
Where to Park
There’s no secure parking lot available when you visit Playa Flamingo. However, there is street parking along the beach’s road. I don’t recommend leaving anything valuable in the vehicle; always lock the doors, and roll up the windows all the way.
Please note that there could be a woman or man wearing a yellow vest. They’ll say they can watch your vehicle, but they’re not official guards. Generally, I always thanked them for their service and paid/tipped them when I went to leave again. Though I wasn’t sure if they did anything, my car hadn’t been damaged, so it was worth the few bucks.
If you’d feel more comfortable in a secure parking lot, the Marina Flamingo has one. It takes about 15 minutes to get to the beach, and you’ll pay roughly 1000 CRC ($2) per hour. Still, it’s an underground and covered garage.
Bus
You’ll find buses running every day and at multiple times from the Liberia International Airport to Flamingo. Primarily, it takes roughly 2.5 hours. Likewise, there is a bus from San Jose, but you’ll be riding for about 6 hours.
Getting Around Town
To get around Playa Flamingo, you’ll mostly walk because it’s a small town. However, if you want to go to other beaches, you can rent a car. It isn’t easy to travel in Guanacaste without one.
The first time I visited, I took taxis everywhere, but they can get expensive since most beaches are far away. Plus, it depends on where you’re staying. You’ll likely pay more if you’ve booked vacation rentals in the mountains instead of being by the water.
The Town and Beach
While Flamingo Beach is well-known, I felt I was in my own paradise. There is plenty of shade available when you’re hot because of the many trees. Plus, the waves are soft for swimming, and you’re surrounded by beautiful scenery. If you want a white sand beach in Costa Rica, this is the top choice.
What to Do in Flamingo Beach, Costa Rica
Because Playa Flamingo is close to other small towns and beaches, you can enjoy many activities, such as:
The Marina
At the Flamingo Marina, which opened in 2023, you’ll find waterfront condos, shops, stores, and restaurants. Though it’s not the biggest, it will take at least half a day to check everything out.
Fishing
There are tons of fishing options available, but these are my two favorites:
- Deep-sea fishing allows you to catch grouper, sailfish, rooster fish, and marlin.
- Offshore fishing is also a great choice, and you’ll find wahoo, jacks, tuna, and snapper.
Scuba Diving
Flamingo is very well-known for scuba diving because the Catalina Islands are close by. With several dive shops in the area, you can get certified or go on discovery trips.
Snorkeling
Snorkeling is a must in Flamingo. There are many great spots nearby, and I think it’s best to take a boating or sailing trip to get to them. You’ll experience the Pacific Ocean waves firsthand and see hidden beaches.
Visit Other Towns/Beaches
Other great towns and beaches include Preita, Penca, Danta, Mina, Potrero, and Brasilito.
ATV Tours
Use an ATV to explore Flamingo and its nearby beaches; there are many tours available.
Sunset Sailing
Choose a sunset cruise from Playa Potrero to see gorgeous ocean views and go snorkeling.
Flamingo Beach Resort (Now Margaritaville Beach Resort)
Overall, Playa Flamingo is a high-end beach town, so you’ll find luxury apartments, condos, vacation rental homes, and hotels. If you’re on a budget, I recommend staying in Brasilito or Potrero.
The Margaritaville Beach Resort (formerly Flamingo Beach Resort) is an all-inclusive option located right in Playa Flamingo.
Because of its amenities and beach access, Margaritaville Beach Resort is ideal for those who want an easy holiday stay.
Plus, Margaritaville Beach Resort has onsite pools, restaurants, game rooms, spas, and beautiful ocean views. Ultimately, you’ll never have to leave if you don’t want to!
Restaurants in Playa Flamingo
You’ll find many nice restaurants in Playa Flamingo. Of course, the Margaritaville Beach Resort has one, but there is also Surf Box, which features sandwiches, smoothies, and burgers, and it’s at the marina.
Another popular choice is Coco Loco, which is a bar/restaurant on the beach. It has delicious seafood.
Weather in Flamingo, Costa Rica
Overall, Playa Flamingo is in north Guanacaste, so it’s one of the hottest places in Costa Rica. There is a long dry season, and the average temperatures don’t fluctuate much.
The dry season starts in December and goes to May, and the rainy season is from May to November, with September and October being the months with the most moisture.
Final Thoughts
If you plan to go to Playa Flamingo, it’s important to remember that it’s a luxury destination. Things might be more expensive. Those who like everything planned out in advance might want to book a room at the Margaritaville Beach Resort. I did once and never had to leave for anything. However, I recommend staying in other towns if you’re on a budget.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
