Coco vs Hermosa vs Ocotal: Which Beach Town Fits You?

Trying to choose between Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, and Playa Ocotal can feel like comparing three great versions of the same dream. Each town sits on the north side of the Gulf of Papagayo, yet the lifestyle, beach vibe, and property mix differ in ways that matter once you live here. This guide helps you compare day-to-day living, beach access, travel logistics, and key real estate essentials so you can move forward with confidence. Let’s dive in.

Where they are and getting here

These three towns cluster along the northern Gulf of Papagayo in Guanacaste Province. Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR) in Liberia is your most practical arrival point for visiting and for regular travel.

Typical drive times vary with traffic, roadwork, and season:

• LIR to Playas del Coco: about 25–40 minutes.
• LIR to Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste): about 25–40 minutes.
• LIR to Playa Ocotal: often slightly shorter than to Coco.

Plan for ranges rather than a fixed time, especially on peak arrival days.

The beach towns at a glance

Playas del Coco

• Vibe: The most active and developed of the three, with a lively social scene, many restaurants and bars, and long-standing expat and tourist communities.
• Beach and water: A broad dark-sand beach that supports swimming and water sports. Coco is a hub for boat charters, sportfishing, and dive trips to nearby sites.
• Amenities: The largest cluster of grocery stores, banks, pharmacies, clinics, tour operators, and services. Advanced hospital care is in Liberia.
• Real estate: The widest inventory and most varied price points, from budget-friendly condos in town to mid-range and higher-end hillside communities.
• Best fit: You want convenience, nightlife, walkable services, and strong short-term rental demand in high season.

Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste)

• Vibe: Quieter and more residential than Coco, often described as relaxed and upscale without being crowded.
• Beach and water: A long, curved beach with generally calm waters suitable for swimming. You are a short drive from marinas and boat launches.
• Amenities: Fewer commercial strips right on the beach, but a solid selection of restaurants and small shops nearby.
• Real estate: Tends to feature larger lots, single-family homes, and higher-end condos. Lower density and views often push price per square meter higher than Coco for comparable properties.
• Best fit: You want a quieter neighborhood feel and privacy while staying close to Coco’s services and LIR access.

Playa Ocotal

• Vibe: A small, intimate bay with a boutique, low-key character. Close to Coco’s services without being in the center of town.
• Beach and water: A rocky, volcanic-sand cove with generally calm, clear water. Excellent snorkeling near rocky points and easy access to small-boat excursions.
• Amenities: Limited commercial strip in Ocotal; residents typically do groceries, banking, and errands in Coco a few minutes away.
• Real estate: A smaller, more boutique market with hillside oceanview villas, luxury condos, and custom homes. Inventory is limited and view properties can command premiums.
• Best fit: You value privacy, water clarity, and a sheltered bay setting while staying close to services.

Real estate and ownership essentials

• Property types you’ll see: Condos, single-family homes, custom villas, hillside oceanview lots, and gated or small resort communities. Coco offers the broadest inventory and entry points. Hermosa and Ocotal skew toward larger homes or boutique luxury product.
• Foreign ownership: Foreigners can own titled property in Costa Rica in their own name or through a corporation. There is no citizenship requirement to hold title.
• Coastal rules to know: The first strip of land from the high-tide line is part of the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone, with special rules for construction, concessions, and public access. Confirm the ZMT line for any parcel and whether improvements are properly permitted.
• Due diligence musts: Commission a title search and Registro Nacional check, verify cadastral boundaries and a current survey, confirm zoning with the municipal office, and assess utilities, road access, and any liens or easements. Use an attorney and escrow/notary for closing.
• Transaction costs and taxes: Budget for transfer tax, notary and registry fees, and legal fees. Transfer tax has historically been low by international standards, commonly cited around 1.5 percent of the sale price plus notary and registration costs. Verify current rates with your attorney at the time of purchase.
• Financing: Local mortgage access for foreign buyers is limited. Many purchase with cash or obtain financing in their home country or through international lenders.
• Rental and resale: Short-term rental demand peaks in the November–April high season. Coco’s tourism profile often supports stronger and more consistent occupancy. Hermosa and Ocotal perform well for the right property, though demand is more seasonal and resale timelines can be longer for unique villas or hillside lots.

Match your goals to the right town

• Maximum convenience and social life: Playas del Coco puts the most services, dining, and nightlife within easy reach.
• Quiet residential living with calm water: Playa Hermosa suits buyers who prefer a relaxed pace and larger homes while staying near Coco and LIR.
• Privacy and snorkeling: Playa Ocotal’s sheltered cove and clear water appeal to buyers seeking a boutique setting close to town.
• Short-term rental upside: Coco generally offers the broadest traveler demand and property management options. Always verify local regulations and a property’s rental history.
• Varied inventory and price points: Coco.
• Lower density and view-focused homes: Hermosa and Ocotal.

On-the-ground practicalities

• Utilities and internet: Electricity and phone/internet service are available across these towns, with fiber and high-speed options expanding. Speed and reliability vary by provider and location, so verify at the specific address.
• Water and sewage: Many homes use septic. Municipal water service exists in parts of the area, but some properties rely on private systems or wells. Check dry-season reliability for any property you are considering.
• Roads: Main roads between the three towns are paved and short. Access to hillside lots can include unpaved segments. Test routes in both dry and wet seasons.
• Construction: For lots, confirm permits, zoning, and geotechnical feasibility, especially on steep slopes or near the shoreline. Commission topographic and geotechnical studies before you build.
• Healthcare: Clinics and emergency services are available in Coco and nearby. For advanced care, plan on hospitals in Liberia or San José.
• Schools: Bilingual and international school options are limited locally. Many families look to private schools in larger towns or consider online schooling. Confirm options early if schooling is a priority.

Buyer checklist for your shortlist tour

• Driving time from LIR to each candidate property.
• Access road condition and who maintains it.
• Zoning and allowed uses, including vacation rentals.
• Whether the property sits inside or outside the Maritime-Terrestrial Zone and any related concessions.
• Utility status: water source, septic or sewer, electricity, and verified internet speeds.
• Title certificate, liens, easements, and municipal tax status.
• Permits and regularization for all existing structures.
• Annual property tax estimate and any HOA or condo fees.
• Rental performance history and seasonal occupancy patterns if investing.
• Insurance availability and any known environmental or natural-hazard considerations.

Plan your discovery visit

A focused, side-by-side tour helps you feel the differences between Coco, Hermosa, and Ocotal in a single visit. We can coordinate a guided route aligned with your arrival at LIR, preview properties that match your brief, and introduce trusted local professionals for legal, construction, or property management needs. If you are weighing rental potential, we will review seasonality and sample performance data by neighborhood so you can compare apples to apples.

Ready to explore the Gulf of Papagayo with a local specialist based in Playas del Coco? Contact 2 Costa Rica Papagayo to receive curated listings, including select off-market opportunities, and to plan a private discovery tour.

FAQs

How long is the drive from Liberia’s LIR airport to each town?

• Plan roughly 25–40 minutes to Playas del Coco and to Playa Hermosa (Guanacaste), with Playa Ocotal often slightly shorter; timing varies by traffic, roadwork, and season.

Which beach town is best for snorkeling and diving access?

• Playa Ocotal is known for clear, calm snorkeling within a sheltered cove, while Playas del Coco serves as a hub for boat-based diving and snorkeling trips to nearby sites.

What should I know about building near the beach in Guanacaste?

• The Maritime-Terrestrial Zone near the high-tide line is public and regulated; confirm the ZMT boundary, concessions, and permits with your attorney before proceeding.

Can foreigners buy property and get a mortgage in Costa Rica?

• Foreigners can own titled property, but local mortgage options for non-residents are limited; many buyers use cash or finance through home-country or international lenders.

Which town typically offers stronger short-term rental demand?

• Playas del Coco generally has the broadest traveler demand and management options, though performance depends on property type, marketing, and seasonal patterns.

What healthcare and school options should I expect nearby?

• You’ll find clinics and emergency services in and near Coco, with advanced care in Liberia; local bilingual or international school options are limited, so confirm choices early.

Are utilities and internet reliable in Coco, Hermosa, and Ocotal?

• Service coverage is good across these towns, with expanding high-speed options; verify provider availability, tested speeds at the address, and dry-season water reliability.