Potrero Beach
Potrero Beach
4
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Restaurants
77 within 3 miles
Attractions
11 within 6 miles
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4.0
299 reviews
Excellent
132
Very good
114
Average
44
Poor
7
Terrible
2
gypsycontessa
Merritt, Canada83 contributions
Feb 2020
Lots of easy access condos and home rentals. Long beach with superfine sand. Can be calm as a pond or have swells for bobbing in the waves. A few beach front restaurants for watching sunsets, pelicans and jumping fish. Peaceful.
Written 2 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Chaz C
3 contributions
Nov 2021
We recently spent a week in Potrero, CR and it was wonderful! We rented a beach front property via Casa Equity and the villa was beautiful, clean and perfect location. We also hired Chef Estafania: privatehomecookingservice.com which was absolutely fantastic. Estafania and her husband, Luis was both professional and friendly. They made delicious breakfast and dinners where we expanded our palates. Our highlight was the tuna!! I still have dreams about how delicious it was. We highly recommend hiring Chef Estafania if you want good food with excellent service! We miss her and Luis very much!!
Written 6 December 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
antonj71
Manson21 contributions
May 2021
We stayed at Casa Rincon Paraiso in Surfside/Potrero from April 15 to May 15. We walked the beach in Potrero most mornings and most evenings. It was about a 5 minute walk from our AirBNB house referenced above. It was a great way to book end our days. The sunsets are magnificent with Catalina Island to accent the scene. It is never crowded and is sometimes nearly empty. There are a number of places along the way to duck off the beach and get something to eat or drink. Usually, you can spot Pelicans, Frigates or other birds working over the inshore sardinas, but for us, just soaking up the Costa Rican vibe and the rhythm of the waves just set the mood. It is also central to a dozen other beaches all with their own character.
Written 14 May 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Around the World
Berlin, Germany622 contributions
Jul 2021 • Family
Actually I was sent here to an dive shop. But the shop is closed already.
This part of the long beach has dark grey sand. The are no infrastructure like shops, bars or restaurants.
There are no people. So if you’re looking for a beach for yourself, that’s the place to be, maybe.
This part of the long beach has dark grey sand. The are no infrastructure like shops, bars or restaurants.
There are no people. So if you’re looking for a beach for yourself, that’s the place to be, maybe.
Written 9 July 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John M
United Kingdom434 contributions
Feb 2020 • Couples
This is a wide sandy bay filled with fishermen, pelicans, vultures, a range of other seabirds. There is also an inland lake with crocs! At least that is what the sign says. Swimming is safe despite some strong breakers. Snorkling very limited as visibility is poor. There are a few bars and restaurants dotted along its shores.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
FredL881
Hamptons, New York78 contributions
Oct 2020
This is a nice beach, but there are much nicer beaches throughout Costa Rica. This is a Great Beach for swimmers and those looking to kayak or stand up paddle boarding. Fishing from shore I hear is also very good. NOT for surfing.
Written 25 October 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gjclarkson
Ormskirk, UK4 contributions
Jan 2020
This is an idyllic beach,quiet and full of birds and animals,turkey vultures,iguanas, pelicans and others. We had been trekking around Costa Rica and this was an extension. Has anyone seen an Iguana having an evening swim? It defies all given knowledge and we were amazed.
It is black sand but this keeps away the crowds and encourages wildlife. It is not a beach with sun beds.
Lots of eating places.
It is black sand but this keeps away the crowds and encourages wildlife. It is not a beach with sun beds.
Lots of eating places.
Written 14 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Shane
Monkton, MD20 contributions
Apr 2019 • Family
Some places I wanted to provide reviews for do not have a presence on TripAdvisor so I'm attempting to catch them here. We were in Playa Potrero for 9 days.
Restaurants
La Forketta (on the main road between Surfside and Potrero has the best pizza we've ever had. Their pastas are also amazing. My daughter had the lasagna and the rest of us had pizza. Open air seating.
The Surfbox (on the road between Brasilito and Flamingo just south of the turn off to go to Potrero). This is perhaps the best all around food in the area. We ate breakfast here almost every morning. The best lattes in the area. The staff is super friendly. The portions are so large we weren't hungry again until dinner. The La Mexicana and the Ricotta Pancakes were our favorites. We also ate dinner there once. The portions are gigantic. They have great Oreo milkshakes too. A truly diverse and eclectic menu. My daughter loved the Acai Bowl for breakfast. They have a small area for indoor seating (A/C) as well as outdoor tables. We met the owners (American and his Costa Rican wife). The recipes are hers and the food is absolutely fabulous. The staff makes the experience very enjoyable. It is amazing they can produce the menu they do in a small kitchen.
The Beach House (located on the road between Potrero / Surfside and the intersection to go to Brasilito or Flamingo). Great food and location directly above the sand. Go for sunset and dinner. On Sundays Darin Talbot (Costa Man) plays live music. He is really entertaining. We ended up sitting there for almost 3 hours eating, listening to music and talking to people we were sitting near. Their shrimp dishes are really great. I did drive down in the golf cart and make reservations requesting a table overlooking the ocean. Every table ended up taken while we were there so I'd recommend that.
Smoothie Palapa (on the road as you enter Surfside) Great fresh smoothies. My daughter got one every day. The guy and girl working this stand were there all day everyday. They knew her order after the first couple of visits. They also sell fresh fruit.
Restaurants
La Forketta (on the main road between Surfside and Potrero has the best pizza we've ever had. Their pastas are also amazing. My daughter had the lasagna and the rest of us had pizza. Open air seating.
The Surfbox (on the road between Brasilito and Flamingo just south of the turn off to go to Potrero). This is perhaps the best all around food in the area. We ate breakfast here almost every morning. The best lattes in the area. The staff is super friendly. The portions are so large we weren't hungry again until dinner. The La Mexicana and the Ricotta Pancakes were our favorites. We also ate dinner there once. The portions are gigantic. They have great Oreo milkshakes too. A truly diverse and eclectic menu. My daughter loved the Acai Bowl for breakfast. They have a small area for indoor seating (A/C) as well as outdoor tables. We met the owners (American and his Costa Rican wife). The recipes are hers and the food is absolutely fabulous. The staff makes the experience very enjoyable. It is amazing they can produce the menu they do in a small kitchen.
The Beach House (located on the road between Potrero / Surfside and the intersection to go to Brasilito or Flamingo). Great food and location directly above the sand. Go for sunset and dinner. On Sundays Darin Talbot (Costa Man) plays live music. He is really entertaining. We ended up sitting there for almost 3 hours eating, listening to music and talking to people we were sitting near. Their shrimp dishes are really great. I did drive down in the golf cart and make reservations requesting a table overlooking the ocean. Every table ended up taken while we were there so I'd recommend that.
Smoothie Palapa (on the road as you enter Surfside) Great fresh smoothies. My daughter got one every day. The guy and girl working this stand were there all day everyday. They knew her order after the first couple of visits. They also sell fresh fruit.
Written 5 May 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
InfoGuys
Costa Rica111 contributions
Sept 2014 • Friends
We moved here in September 2014 and have not regretted it. The area is beautiful. The people are friendly and welcoming. We have a real sense of community here with a mixture of Costa Ricans, Americans, Canadians and Europeans. A great mix of people.
Written 19 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Croz'
Playa Samara, Costa Rica74 contributions
Apr 2019 • Friends
Playa Potrero is one of those places where you hardly see anyone...even this Easter weekend of Semana Santa there were few Tico families enjoying this pristine beach. It is a a fabulous meditative walk, with the occasional "hola" and "good morning"...soft sand, clear, clean Ocean and birds in abundance, Scarlet Ibis, Cormorant, Ducks, Terns, Pelicand, Black Vultures and Hawks, Swifts and Kiskadees, and at time masses of Dragonflies.
There are a couple of local Tico bars for that real Guanacaste coast feel, as well as restaurants and hotel that cater for greater choice...at the far northern end is 'Brisas', a local bar restaurant that really kicks off on a Wednesday evening with salsa and merengue dancing and a fun hullabaloo! Fff the beach and in the Surfside area is a fantastic Microbrewery - Ceveceria Independiente where Chicho from Rome (Fabio) has an authentic Pizzeria, Harlan Clarke's 'El Castillo' restaurant and bar has a great vibe and his food is excellent, Perlas for sports tv and live music, Numu for a little more in the way of Asian Fusion menu across the road from Merkdo (pronounced Merkaado) which is a well-stocked supermarket...all on the same road that leads from the beachside Costa Rica Sailing Center and Bahia del Sol hotel.
Potrero beach is not heavily built up, it has just enough going on and a great vibe!
There are a couple of local Tico bars for that real Guanacaste coast feel, as well as restaurants and hotel that cater for greater choice...at the far northern end is 'Brisas', a local bar restaurant that really kicks off on a Wednesday evening with salsa and merengue dancing and a fun hullabaloo! Fff the beach and in the Surfside area is a fantastic Microbrewery - Ceveceria Independiente where Chicho from Rome (Fabio) has an authentic Pizzeria, Harlan Clarke's 'El Castillo' restaurant and bar has a great vibe and his food is excellent, Perlas for sports tv and live music, Numu for a little more in the way of Asian Fusion menu across the road from Merkdo (pronounced Merkaado) which is a well-stocked supermarket...all on the same road that leads from the beachside Costa Rica Sailing Center and Bahia del Sol hotel.
Potrero beach is not heavily built up, it has just enough going on and a great vibe!
Written 21 April 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Can you share your experience with the ease of riding a golf cart from Potrero into playa flamingo? Is there a cart lane?
Written 14 August 2023
Hi. We are staying in Potrero in Dec 2022. What in the area would you recommend? We love animals and nature, swimming. Also restaurant recommendations
Any info would help.
Written 9 April 2022
Hello. We didn’t do any nature excursions so we can’t help there. Restaurants you can’t go wrong with many of them. Las Brisas and LaForketta are our favourites.
Beaches, Playa Flamingo is awesome and rent a tent with chairs as there’s no shade. Playa Pence is also great and when you’re facing the water, to the right, walk to the end of the beach. You’ll see a path on the right. Walk it for 2 minutes and you’ll get to a road. Go left to Playa Prieta. Another great beach. This part of Costa Rica is hot, mid 30’s.
Written 10 April 2022
We are looking at booking a house on this beach. It doesn't have any reviews. Does anyone know anything about Casa Taj Beachfront Mansion?
Written 29 January 2021
What lodging have you found at this beach?
Written 1 April 2019
We stayed at Casa Wincito, an Airbnb on Calle Bonano one block inland from the main road. Quieter than the beach, easy walking everywhere, but dusty unpaved roads. Great semi-private pool, spacious, but the whole area is TOO HOT, up to 37C, 100+F. Good luck.
Written 1 April 2019
Hola, queria saber si de acá se puede hacer la excursión a isla tortuga? gracias!
Written 11 April 2018
Recuerda siempre andar colones en efectivo! Asi no te van a cobrar por el cambio ni a valerlo muy bajo. Al pagar el ferri por ejemplo no aceptaban cuando yo fui ni tarjeta, ni dólares, sólo dinero en efectivo.
Puedes buscar algún banco estatal en cualquier lugar y cambiar tu dinero, eso te va a facilitar mucho las cosas.
Andar dinero en efectivo y en colones es muy importante.
Written 19 April 2018
jasjo2018
Winnipeg Beach, Canada
I would like to know if there any reviews of Blue Wave Condos specifically number 3 on playa Potrero . We are thinking of renting for 2 months in 2019.
Written 28 March 2018
Blue Waves #3 was recently remodeled and is beautiful. Potrero is a quiet beach and still offers visitors many attractions—yoga on the beach at the Hotel Bahia, sailing, paddle boards, kayaking at the sailing club, numerous restaurants, a music scene, and more...all within walking distance. If you’re looking for a loud party scene, Potrero Bay is not it. Even then, you can walk to Flamingo or drive to Tamarindo to get your fill of that. Then come back for peace, quiet, tranquility, and one beautiful sunset after another from the comfort of your terrace.
Written 31 March 2019
nitsie2
Minneapolis, Minnesota
I want to rent a VRBO, Casa Royal, that is right on the beach in Potrero. It’s managed by Tropical Homes of Costa Rica. It was renovated in 2016. It looks beautiful. But only has 2 reviews.
I’m skeptical to book with just 2 (very good) reviews.
Any comments ???
Written 17 February 2018
Hi, I just finished a month studying Spanish at CPI Costa Rica in Playa Flamingo. I walked past this place a couple of times but don't remember it specifically.
My homestay was about a 5 minute walk from the bar at Las Brisas and I paid $200 a week through the school. I met people staying at Casa Del Sol and Hotel Isolinas. Hotel Sugar Beach is also nice. Playa Portreo is a nice clean beach. Also there are some rentals on Playa Pence and Playa Princessa.
Written 18 February 2018
I've read from reviews that Potrero Beach is dark sand. Is it good for swimming, lounging around and walking? Is it a dirty sand or just dark colored? How long is the beach?
Written 10 June 2017
Our family really enjoyed the beach. It is not dirty, just dark sand. Very soft, you can go barefoot. It is about a 25-30 minute walk from one end to the other. Walked from where the river enters all the way past the Beach House Restaurant. Our toddler could walk along the beach with little worry and our girls could boogie board when the waves were a bit bigger. We could also swim, no drop off at all.
Written 17 June 2017
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