Playa Buena (Bahía Culebra)
Beach · Guanacaste
A wide pale-sand beach inside Bahía Culebra with almost no waves, shady trees and views across the bay. At low tide a rocky reef shelf appears, good for poking around with a mask; howler monkeys and iguanas hang out in the trees.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 2.5 h
- Best time
- low tide, morning
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 3 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 3 / 10
- Location
- 10.59086, -85.66933 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.7 on Google (467)
Before you go
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Road
- Paved all the way
- Walk
- 400 m
- Swimming
- Yes
- Facilities
- shade
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Bring
- water shoes, snorkel mask, water, snacks
- Fewer people
- Far fewer people than Playa Hermosa or Playa Panamá.
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Time it for low tide and bring water shoes: the shoreline has pebbles, shells and rock shelves.
Be careful
Even in calm water, watch for currents away from shore. There are no lifeguards or services.
Getting there
About 800 m north of Playa Hermosa, next to the Occidental Papagayo hotel; a cobblestone path of about 400 m leads down to the sand.
Places nearby
- Roberto's (La Gaviota Tropical)Food & CoffeeBeachside restaurant at La Gaviota Tropical on Playa Hermosa, open from breakfast to late dinner; known for fresh fish and local cocktails.
- Restaurante Mar AzulFood & CoffeeSeafood restaurant and fish market in Playas del Coco where you pick your fish, preparation and sauce from the day's catch brought in by local artisanal fishermen.
- Mar & Tierra Restaurante Doña FlorSodas & Local FoodA friendly local restaurant a couple of blocks off Coco's main road, good for real Costa Rican food at fair prices: gallo pinto for breakfast, casados, fried rice and fresh fish later in the day, plus burgers, sandwiches and tacos.
- Soda TeresitaSodas & Local FoodLively family soda on the road into Playas del Coco, with fish casados and kid-friendly fried chicken and fish fingers at soda prices.
- Soda Jardín TropicalSodas & Local FoodSimple soda near the beach in Playas del Coco serving casados, grilled fish and big breakfasts all day; good value and generous portions.
- Villa Buena OndaStays · from $110Private micro-resort near Playas del Coco that hosts one group at a time, with eight suites on six secluded acres.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/494435098 · https://wanderlog.com/place/details/1617030/playa-buena · https://www.ict.go.cr/flipbook/guias/flip-en/GUIA_GUANACASTE_NORTE/files/basic-html/page44.html