Our favorite hotels and resorts around Playa Panama

Unlike many beaches in Costa Rica, Playa Panama offers absolutely calm, tranquil waters more akin to swimming in a lake or being in a bath than the ocean.&nbsp;&nbsp;Playa Panama isn't for surfers or body boarders, it's true. They can have the rest of Costa Rica. But if you like calm waters, snorkeling, and swimming, it's perfect.&nbsp;

Best Places to stay in Playa Panama, Costa Rica

El Mangroove Autograph Collection

Playa Panama

Adventure Parks

Adrenaline

Nature & Wildlife

Santa Rosa National Park Guided Hike

National Parks

Stand-Up Paddle Board in Costa Rica

Stand-Up Paddle Board

Beach Fun

Playa Panama is the perfect beach to relax and read. Or sit with a cold drink watching the sunset. It's excellent for stand-up paddeboarding too.

<h2>Discover Peaceful Playa Panama</h2>Playa Panama is tucked into the southern end of Guanacaste's Culebra Bay, just north of Playa Hermosa. This gorgeous beach is one of the calmest and most protected in Costa Rica, sheltered from the open Pacific by the Papagayo Peninsula, which you can see across the water. With no actual town center or village to speak of, Playa Panama offers pure peace for anyone who comes.<h3>Best Time To Travel To Playa Panama</h3>There's no wrong time to visit Playa Panama. You can expect hot and sunny weather for most of the year. Sure, there's a rainy season running from May to November, and yes, September and October can be wet. But even during these months, you'll see sunshine. Think sunny mornings and rainy afternoons.It's easier to talk about the best times not to travel to Playa Panama, when it's most crowded. Like most beaches in Costa Rica, Christmas, New Year and Easter can get busier (although Playa Panama is nowhere near as crowded as other nearby places). If you can avoid this time to travel, please do.But even if you can't, you'll still have a great time, and the kids can make some friends.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648152055/playa_panama_crystal_water_coastline_75fa307f9c.jpg" alt="playa-panama-crystal-water-coastline.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648152055/thumbnail_playa_panama_crystal_water_coastline_75fa307f9c.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648152056/small_playa_panama_crystal_water_coastline_75fa307f9c.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648152056/medium_playa_panama_crystal_water_coastline_75fa307f9c.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648152056/large_playa_panama_crystal_water_coastline_75fa307f9c.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h3>Weather in Playa Panama</h3>Guanacaste is the driest and warmest part of Costa Rica - the best weather for beach lovers. You can expect mid-to-late 80s F (early 30s C) temperatures for much of the year, with humidity lower than elsewhere.The rainy season is from May to November, but even then, there's not a great deal compared to elsewhere in Costa Rica. Think hot and sunny most of the day with solid afternoon showers. The rainiest months are September and October.<h3>Is Playa Panama Safe?</h3>No one lives in Playa Panama, so there's no local crime. Most buildings around here are hotels and resorts, guarded well all day and night. You don't even need to worry too much about rip currents in Playa Panama, something rather unique in Costa Rica. Just leave all your valuables in your hotel and don't leave your things unattended at the beach, and you'll be fine.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>Top Restaurants in Playa Panama</h2>AbbocatoAbbocato sits on a hill a little inland from Playa Panama and has stunning views across Papagayo Gulf. The food's good too - expect solid Italian fare with a twist towards seafood and meats. Great wine list.&nbsp;Hacienda BluA more casual option on the beach with great surf' n 'turf platters that come in enormous sizes to share.&nbsp;MakokoThe restaurant at the Mangroove resort is worth checking out, even if you're not staying at the hotel. International and fusion vibes as befits an international hotel.&nbsp;El ChuncoRight on the beach in Playa Panama, you'll find many South American food, Costa Rican dishes, and cold beer to cool things off. Extremely friendly and great prices.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1651030789/el_mangroove_tartar_close_up_playa_panama_862618946b.jpg" alt="el-mangroove-tartar-close-up-playa-panama.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1651030789/thumbnail_el_mangroove_tartar_close_up_playa_panama_862618946b.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1651030791/small_el_mangroove_tartar_close_up_playa_panama_862618946b.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1651030791/medium_el_mangroove_tartar_close_up_playa_panama_862618946b.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1651030790/large_el_mangroove_tartar_close_up_playa_panama_862618946b.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw">&nbsp;<h2>How To Get To Playa Panama</h2>Outside of Liberia, Guanacaste Airport (Airport Code LIR), is the closest international airport to Playa Panama.<h3>Distance &amp; Driving Time to Playa Panama</h3>From LIR Airport: 10 miles (16 kilometers), about 20 minutes&nbsp;All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.&nbsp;If you're driving from Guanacaste Airport to Playa Panama, you're in luck - Playa Panama is the closest beach to an international airport in Costa Rica, less than 20 minutes away. If you're renting a car at the airport, allow yourself an hour or so to sort that out.&nbsp;Head out of the airport onto the main road, and turn right, heading away from Liberia. Follow this road for a few minutes until you see a right-hand turn in the village of Comunidad. Take that right, swing past the CIMA hospital, then take a left. You're about halfway to Playa Panama now, and all you have to do is keep going until you reach the Pacific Ocean and you've arrived.

Playa Panamá

'Pura Vida' Beach Vibe: Manuel Antonio and Playa Panamá

'Pura Vida' Beach Vibe

Waterfalls

There are various options from budget-friendly to very high-end. Most places are either walkable to the beach and surrounded by jungle or just a few minutes drive.

Aside from a few days of sunbathing and swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, there is so much to do in the area. 

Manuel Antonio

Beach

National Park

Rainforest

Deep Sea

Snapper

Blue Marlin

Group Travel

Mahi Mahi

Luxury

Rooster

Freshwater Fishing

Fly Fishing

Sailfish

FADS

Fishing

Inshore Fishing

Wahoo

Yellowfin Tuna

Beach and Cloud Forest Combo: Monteverde and Playa Panamá

Beach and Cloud Forest Combo

Culture

The Monteverde area offers a mix of accommodation, from hostels and B&Bs, to unique eco-resorts. We recommend booking in advance.

Monteverde is known for great zip lines, hanging bridges, rich biodiversity, photography, birdwatching and so much more. 


Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde

Cloud Forest

Honeymoon

Remote

Classic Rainforest and Beach Combo: Arenal Volcano and Playa Panamá

Classic Rainforest and Beach Combo 

Relaxing

From luxurious five-star options with fantastic volcano views to the more cozy three-star boutique options. There are no all-inclusive resorts, but the service is generally excellent!

There is so much to do in the Arenal area! Hot springs, hikes, nature reserves, hanging bridges, waterfalls, etc.

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

Arenal Volcano

Volcano

Countryside

Relaxation

Boutique

Sustainable

Cloud Forest & Beach Combo: La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest and Playa Panamá

Cloud Forest & Beach Combo

The Peace Lodge and La Paz Waterfall Gardens often merge, but they're separate. 

There's no doubt about it - the trails and stairwells that follow the Rio La Paz and its waterfalls are a major highlight.

La Paz - Vara Blanca Cloud Forest

La Paz

Adventure

Guanacaste Getaway: Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and Playa Panamá

Guanacaste Getaway

There are few lodges in Rincón de la Vieja, and most cater to mid-range travelers. 

Hit the trails to hike a volcano summit, swim at the base of a waterfall, or straddle a river canyon. 

Rincon de la Vieja Volcano

Rincón de la Vieja

Yoga

Family Time

No City Noise: Rio Celeste and Playa Panamá

No City Noise

See below our recommendations for places to stay.

There is plenty to do at Tenorio Volcano and Rio Celeste. For nature lovers, bird watchers, and hikers, Rio Celeste is a true paradise. 

Tenorio Volcano & Rio Celeste

Rio Celeste

Romance

Pura Vida Relax: Rio Perdido and Playa Panamá

Pura Vida Relax

Rio Perdido is one of the best places to stay in Bagaces. It's perched in the middle of the forest and has access to all activities. Rio Perdido means lost river and it's called that way because of how secluded and untouched it is.

There are many things to do in Bagaces, from exploring the town's center and jumping into pristine rivers to mountain biking and hiking. 