Between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa, a hidden cove offers some of Guanacaste’s clearest swimming waters. Playa Penca sits tucked away from the main beach towns, where a newly paved road leads down to white sand and calm waters perfect for snorkeling.

Recent development of the Waldorf Astoria has improved access to this once-secret spot. While construction continues above the beach, the cove remains public – as all Costa Rica beaches must be. The new road makes it easier to reach than in previous years when rough dirt tracks kept visitor numbers low.

From the parking area, a steep but maintained trail with handrails leads down to the protected cove. The beach’s position between two rocky points creates ideal swimming conditions, while the clear waters make it one of the area’s best snorkeling spots. Despite development above, the beach itself maintains its natural charm with plenty of space for visitors to spread out.

Location of Playa Penca in relation to the nearby airport in Liberia. A short drive and you’ll arrive.

Before departing for your trip to Costa Rica, be sure to pick up sunscreen. Spending a day at Playa Penca is great, and there’s no reason to ruin the next day with a sunburn. Sunscreen in Costa Rica can be expensive to buy, I suggest bringing your own. Try this sunscreen bar with roll on application. I find it’s great to not overuse, like cream. It’s also solid so much easier to bring at the airport

Between Two Amazing Towns

The journey to Penca starts on the main road between Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa. Watch for signs marking the Waldorf Astoria entrance – it’s about halfway between the two towns. The turnoff comes after passing the Los Altos del Cacique residential area when heading north from Coco.

The newly paved road winds uphill, offering several viewpoints along the way. Your first stop should be Mirador Playa Penca, a lookout point providing panoramic views of Culebra Bay, Playa Hermosa, and the distant Marina Papagayo. On clear days, you can spot the Four Seasons Peninsula across the bay.

As you continue, you’ll pass the entrance to another hidden gem – Playa Pobre de Calzón (locally known as “Poor Man’s Underpants Beach”). While worth exploring another day, continue past this turnoff to reach the Penca parking area. The entire drive from the main road takes only about 5-7 minutes.

The road quality has improved significantly with hotel construction. What was once a challenging dirt track is now a proper road, though steep in sections. Any car can make the drive, unlike previous years when 4×4 was recommended.

If you’d like to see what it’s like in Playas del Coco, check out a video of that town here:

THE BEACH PATH

Walk to Playa Penca

The descent to the beach starts from the parking area, following a newly improved path with concrete stairs and handrails. While steep, the hotel development has added proper steps and safety features making it more accessible than the previous natural trail.

The walk takes about 5-10 minutes down, slightly longer coming back up. Handrails help with the steeper sections, though proper footwear is recommended – especially if the steps are wet. Early morning or late afternoon provides cooler hiking conditions.

Beach Arrival

Emerging from the path, you’ll find yourself on a pristine white sand cove. The beach opens up between rocky points, creating a naturally protected swimming area. Palm trees along the back of the beach offer natural shade spots.

No facilities exist on the beach itself, so bring everything needed for your visit. This includes water, snacks, and beach gear. The lack of services helps maintain the beach’s natural feeling despite nearby development. I recommend bringing a cooler backpack to ease your hike down to the beach with your drinks and snacks. You can try this one from Amazon.

Getting Back Up

Plan your departure time considering the climb back up. The steep stairs can be challenging in midday heat. Taking breaks at the designated platforms helps make the ascent easier.

Remember that carrying beach gear adds to the climb’s difficulty. Many visitors arrange their gear to make the walk back up more manageable. The views of the bay during the climb offer perfect photo opportunities.

Playa Penca from the drone – showing the beach and Waldorf Astoria luxury development.

SNORKELING & SWIMMING

Perfect Snorkeling Conditions

The protected cove creates ideal snorkeling conditions, with consistently calm waters throughout most days. Rocky points on both ends attract marine life, while the clear water offers excellent visibility. High tide brings fish closer to shore as they feed around the submerged rocks.

The beach’s orientation helps keep waters calm, unlike more exposed beaches nearby. Even on windy days, the cove often remains suitable for swimming and snorkeling. Morning hours typically offer the clearest visibility before afternoon winds pick up.

Best Spots to Explore

The northern rocky point provides the richest marine life viewing. Fish gather around the rocks and coral formations, making it easy to spot different species. Keep an eye out for angelfish, parrotfish, and occasional rays gliding by.

Stay within the protected cove area where waters remain predictably calm. The beach’s gradual slope allows snorkelers to easily gauge depth, making it suitable for different experience levels.

Snorkeling Tips

Bring your own gear as no rental facilities exist at the beach. Water shoes help when entering near rocky areas. High tide offers the best conditions, covering more reef area and bringing fish closer to shore.

Check tide charts before visiting, as low tide exposes more rocks and limits swimming areas. Early mornings provide both calmer conditions and better visibility, plus you’ll often have more of the cove to yourself.

For snorkeling in Costa Rica, I use a Cressi Set, which includes fins, a mask and snorkel. The fins are short enough for maneuvering quickly, and easily packed in a suitcase. Pick up the set on Amazon.

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We also upload ambient videos and walking tours of the locations that we visit, check out that channel Here. 

Playa Penca Frequently Asked Questions

1. Where exactly is Playa Penca located?

Playa Penca is a beach on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica, between Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco. It’s in Guanacaste Province, making it easy to access from popular tourist spots.

2. How do I get to Playa Penca?

You can get to Playa Penca by car, bike, or foot from nearby areas like Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco. The beach is a 30 minute drive from Liberia International Airport. For those without a vehicle, taxis and shuttles are available.

3. Is Playa Penca safe for swimming?

Yes, Playa Penca is generally safe for swimming. The waters are clear and calm, with gentle waves. However, always check local conditions and stay aware of your surroundings.

4. Are there any facilities or amenities at Playa Penca?

Playa Penca is a natural, undeveloped beach, so amenities are minimal. There are no restrooms, showers, or food vendors directly on the beach. Visitors often bring their own snacks, water, and beach gear. 

5. What is the best time to visit Playa Penca?

The best time to visit Playa Penca is during the dry season, from December to April, when the weather is sunny and there’s little rain. The beach can get crowded during weekends and holidays, so weekdays are generally quieter.

6. Are there any activities to do at Playa Penca?

Playa Penca is great for sunbathing, swimming, snorkeling, and photography. The calm waters make it ideal for beginner snorkeling, where you can see a variety of tropical fish. You can also paddleboard to and from Playa Penca.

7. Is there parking available at Playa Penca?

Yes, there is limited parking near Playa Penca. Arrive early to secure a close spot, especially during peak season. 

8. Can I bring my dog to Playa Penca?

Playa Penca is pet-friendly. Many visitors bring their dogs to enjoy the beach. Just make sure to clean up after your pet and keep them on a leash.

9. What should I bring to Playa Penca?

It’s a good idea to bring sunscreen, a hat, water, snacks, a towel, and snorkeling gear. Since there are no facilities, it’s important to pack everything you might need for a beach day.

10. Are there any places to eat near Playa Penca?

While there are no food vendors directly on Playa Penca, you can find a variety of restaurants and cafes in nearby Playa Hermosa and Playas del Coco. There’s a lot of options in either town. Check out Youtube channel for videos on each locaiton.