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Looking for a list of the top things to do in Playa Flamingo? Look no further!
With incredible beaches, water activities, and stunning sunsets, it’s no wonder Playa Flamingo is a top destination. After living in Guanacaste, we’ve spent a lot of time here, so we know the best things to do!
If you have a limited number of days in Playa Flamingo, you’ll want to see the best of the best! So we put together this list of the top 6 things to do. All of these activities are really easy to add to a busy schedule and are a good balance of adventure and relaxation for that Pura Vida lifestyle!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Activity
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE thing to do is take this sunset catamaran cruise from Playa Flamingo! It’s full of fun activities, time to relax, an open bar, and great sunset views.
Check out the 650+ 5-star reviews and book this tour here.
Tip: Book this tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
Best Things to do in Playa Flamingo
1. Catamaran Cruise
Seeing a spectacular Costa Rican sunset from the water aboard a catamaran is an unforgettable way to end the day. This Sunset Catamaran Tour from Flamingo Beach sets off in the afternoon and then finishes early in the evening.
What’s great about this catamaran is that it’s equipped with fun activities like trampolines, a freshwater shower, kayaks, a stairway to the sea, and an open bar! You can relax in the tropical breeze with a cocktail (or two!) in hand.
Keep an eye out for marine life like sea turtles, manta rays, dolphins, and whales as you cruise along the water. Then, get the chance to jump off the boat for a snorkeling stop. All the gear is provided too, which is a nice bonus.
Truly, the sunsets here are spectacular and so amazing to view from the water where nothing is blocking your view. Watching the sunset here is one of my favorite things to do in Playa Flamingo! You can book this Sunset Catamaran Tour for just $95 USD.
Book this tour with over 650 5-star reviews here!
2. Rent an ATV and explore
This is a fun way to cover a lot of ground and explore multiple beaches! This ATV tour takes you to beaches around Playa Flamingo along with river crossings, forest trails, mountain views, and tropical scenery.
I love combining a bit of adventure with sightseeing, and an off-road tour is a perfect way to do this. All the equipment needed is included and it’s totally fine if you don’t have previous ATV experience, you’ll catch on quickly!
Keep an eye out for some of the rare trees in the area, including Guanacaste trees with huge branches and photo and teak trees, which are popular habitats for monkeys and birds.
The tour also includes stops at Pirates’ Bay Beach and Puerto Viejo Beach and there are upgrades available if you want to add on other Playa Flamingo activities like snorkeling or ziplining. It comes at a reasonable price of just $67 USD.
Book this popular tour here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
3. Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park
Visiting the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park is a popular day trip from Playa Flamingo. It’s just over two hours from Playa Flamingo and is definitely worth visiting.
While exploring here on your own is an option, day tours are really popular. I think this Volcano, Waterfall, and Hot Springs Tour is a fantastic way to see all the best parts of the park and it includes transportation from Playa Flamingo all for $180 USD.
This giant park is home to the largest and most active volcano in Guanacaste – the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and the dormant Santa Maria Volcano. The Rincón de la Vieja Volcano is 600,000 years old and its last large eruption was back in 1998.
The tour includes a guide who will take you hiking on some of the forest trails at the base of the active volcano. You’ll also get the chance to swim in the pool at the bottom of the Oropendola Waterfall just outside the park and finish the day relaxing at the Rio Negro Hot Springs.
Check availability and book this tour here to secure your spot!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. All-day Adventure Combo Tour
This Guachipelin Adventure Combo Tour was just too good to leave out! While this activity is technically in Tamarindo, it’s only a 30-minute drive from Playa Flamingo and they provide hotel pick up.
You’ll notice many tour companies selling full-day combo tours that involve multiple activities. These are a great way to experience all the best things activities in one convenient package!
This epic full-day adventure includes ziplining, river tubing, horseback riding, a visit to natural hot springs, a volcanic mud bath, and a buffet lunch. It’s so popular because, with all those activities, the tour only costs $161 USD including transportation from Playa Flamingo.
It’s seriously a day to remember and everyone on our tour had a blast – from kids to adults. You can read some of the hundreds of 5-star reviews here!
Secure your spot on this top-rated adventure tour here, before it sells out!
5. Go scuba diving
Scuba diving around the Las Catalinas Islands just off the coast of Playa Flamingo is an amazing way to see incredible wildlife in an underwater paradise. This area is known for its giant manta rays, white-tip reef sharks, sea turtles, dolphins, and humpback whales.
If you’re an experienced scuba diver with your certification, this specific tour is a great option that includes two 45-minute dives. Light snacks and beverages are included. You can be picked up from your hotel and taken to the Playa Flamingo Dive Centre where you’ll get on a boat and head out.
We loved this experience, the staff was super friendly and made the day super fun! Plus, scuba diving at Las Catalinas Islands is hard to beat. This tour is well worth the $190 USD price tag!
This tour is likely to sell out – book it in advance here.
If you’re never been scuba diving before or are looking to get your certification, Costa Rica is a great place to do it. You can complete your PADI Open Water Diver Certification as part of this course, which also includes the chance to scuba dive off the coast.
The course is completed over multiple days including dives in a pool and dives in the ocean. The great thing about this certification is that it’s good for a lifetime, so you can scuba dive anywhere in the world!
It is pricey at $800 USD but it is the most well-recognized scuba diving certification that you can get so it is worth it.
Reserve your PADI certification course now and pay later when you book it here!
6. Whitewater rafting
One thing you have to do while in Costa Rica, is go on a thrilling ride navigating the rapids on the Tenorio River! It’s one of my favorite whitewater rafting rivers in Costa Rica, with lots of fun rapids and drops.
This full-day whitewater rafting tour will take you along 7.5 miles (12 kilometers) of the river navigating Class III and IV rapids.
The tour starts with local pick-up from your hotel and then a drive of about two hours to the launch spot on the Tenorio River. While on the raft, you’ll pass through 22 different whitewater rapid sections! During the smoother parts of the journey, you’ll be able to spot tropical birds and wildlife in the trees including monkeys and iguanas.
The tour finishes with a 12-foot (3.7 meter) waterfall drop called “Cascabel Falls” – a great way to end the experience! Once you’re out of the water (and have worked up an appetite!), enjoy a Costa Rica-style lunch called a Casado with rice, beans, salad, and plantains.
You can book this thrilling experience for $119 USD per person.
Reserve this whitewater rafting tour here to get FREE cancellation 24 hours before it departs.
Where to Stay in Playa Flamingo, Costa Rica
Playa Flamingo is home to plenty of great places to stay. There’s a good mix of small guest houses, single apartments, and even luxury all-inclusive resorts.
Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo – $$$
If you’re a luxury traveler, then a beachside resort is probably going to be the best choice. Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo is a top choice, and it comes with an all-inclusive option. The resort is as beachfront as you can get, and there’s also a huge pool, fitness center, tennis court, movie theater, and restaurant.
The views from the rooms at Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo are beautiful! Rates begin at $229 USD/night. You can check availability and reserve a room online here on Booking.com.
Oceanica 827 – $$
Those that can spend a little more will be able to enjoy places closer to the ocean. Most of the options in this budget range are individual apartments. One of the best is Oceanica 827. The apartment’s balcony has sea views, and it’s possible to enjoy dining outdoors.
The apartment provides a luxurious and private place for a reasonable price. Check rates and availability online here.
Massai Apartments – $
My first recommendation is for the budget travelers among us. Unfortunately, there aren’t many options, but thankfully Massai Apartments saves the day (and your budget.) This beautiful hotel has fantastic reviews, a pool, and its apartments come with full kitchens! Although the hotel is a short walk to the beach, you’re also not far from Playa Potrero.
Rates at Massai Apartments begin at $84 USD per night. You can check availability and book online here.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
The Playa Flamingo area is so beautiful not only for the stunning beach but also for the variety of activities you can do here. I recommend staying here for at least 3-4 days if possible or even a bit longer to enjoy all this area has to offer.
If you need more travel inspiration or tips for your trip to Costa Rica, have a look at our other blogs about Costa Rica. Or I picked out a few that you might like below!
20 BEST Things to do in Monteverde, Costa Rica (Our Tips to Explore More!)
25 Best Things to do in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica (More than the National Park!)