The Guest House Guidebook
Food scene
Coco Loco is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in the area, and it definitely has the best view. Enjoy sunset drinks and dinner, lunch, or Sunday brunch right on Flamingo beach, less than a ten-minute walk from the Guest House. Try the coconut shrimp or ahi tuna tacos, and do not miss the homemade coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell. The drinks are great, and the staff is friendly and attentive. This is a Guest House favorite! (Reservations recommended for sunset dining.)
171 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Restaurante Coco Loco
Flamingo Beach RoadCoco Loco is one of the best and most consistent restaurants in the area, and it definitely has the best view. Enjoy sunset drinks and dinner, lunch, or Sunday brunch right on Flamingo beach, less than a ten-minute walk from the Guest House. Try the coconut shrimp or ahi tuna tacos, and do not miss the homemade coconut ice cream served in a coconut shell. The drinks are great, and the staff is friendly and attentive. This is a Guest House favorite! (Reservations recommended for sunset dining.)
La Forketta offers the best Italian food in the area, with the sweetest staff. Try the tuna carpaccio and the mushroom ravioli. Reservations are recommended.
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
La Forketta
Calle NaranjaLa Forketta offers the best Italian food in the area, with the sweetest staff. Try the tuna carpaccio and the mushroom ravioli. Reservations are recommended.
Papaya Restaurant is located at the Conchal Hotel in nearby Brasilito and serves food all day. Try a breakfast burrito, or a flavorful steak. Papaya also serves chifrijo, a delicious Costa Rican specialty. The seafood is great, too. Service can be slow, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. (Call ahead if you desire lobster to ensure it is available.)
49 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Papaya Restaurant
Papaya Restaurant is located at the Conchal Hotel in nearby Brasilito and serves food all day. Try a breakfast burrito, or a flavorful steak. Papaya also serves chifrijo, a delicious Costa Rican specialty. The seafood is great, too. Service can be slow, so be prepared for a bit of a wait. (Call ahead if you desire lobster to ensure it is available.)
Masala offers a wide selection of Indian food in a pleasant outdoor setting.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Masala Indian Restaurant at Brasilito
Masala offers a wide selection of Indian food in a pleasant outdoor setting.
Patagonia features a nice selection of seafood dishes and sushi. The menu includes meat and vegetarian dishes, as well, and the restaurant has a view of the beach.
42 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Patagonia del Mar
120 Av CentralPatagonia features a nice selection of seafood dishes and sushi. The menu includes meat and vegetarian dishes, as well, and the restaurant has a view of the beach.
Located in Flamingo’s town center, Camparino features pizza and Italian dishes. Enjoy the ravioli or spaghetti with bolognese sauce.
51 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Camparino
Located in Flamingo’s town center, Camparino features pizza and Italian dishes. Enjoy the ravioli or spaghetti with bolognese sauce.
Las Brisas is located right on Potrero beach, with excellent views. It has a local feel, and the food is very good. Service can be slow…so don’t be in a hurry. Try the whole snapper (I think on the menu it’s called tropical) or the fish and chips.
98 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Las Brisas Potrero Restaurante Bar
Las Brisas is located right on Potrero beach, with excellent views. It has a local feel, and the food is very good. Service can be slow…so don’t be in a hurry. Try the whole snapper (I think on the menu it’s called tropical) or the fish and chips.
Estero Azul is a “soda,” a simple type of restaurant you will see all over Costa Rica. Sodas all feature “casados,” which are a traditional, very affordable, Costa Rican meal consisting of a protein (chicken, fish, or beef), rice and beans, and a small portion of salad or vegetables. Estero Azul is a little off the beaten path, but located right on Potrero beach. (Waze will get you there!) Excellent views and ice cold brews.
17 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Estero Azul
Flamingo ResortEstero Azul is a “soda,” a simple type of restaurant you will see all over Costa Rica. Sodas all feature “casados,” which are a traditional, very affordable, Costa Rican meal consisting of a protein (chicken, fish, or beef), rice and beans, and a small portion of salad or vegetables. Estero Azul is a little off the beaten path, but located right on Potrero beach. (Waze will get you there!) Excellent views and ice cold brews.
Surf Club, located in Langosta (nearby Tamarindo), is another one of our favorite spots. Mattie, the owner, is known for his smoked meats. His Reuben sandwich with smoked corned beef is excellent. (Please note this sandwich is not on the menu — it’s like a secret menu item known only to locals, so just ask if they have it.) The wings, which are also smoked, are also highly recommended. Surf Club features a selection of Costa Rica microbrews, as well as pool and ping pong tables to keep you busy while you await your meal.
13 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Surf Club Bar & Grill
Barcelo LangostaSurf Club, located in Langosta (nearby Tamarindo), is another one of our favorite spots. Mattie, the owner, is known for his smoked meats. His Reuben sandwich with smoked corned beef is excellent. (Please note this sandwich is not on the menu — it’s like a secret menu item known only to locals, so just ask if they have it.) The wings, which are also smoked, are also highly recommended. Surf Club features a selection of Costa Rica microbrews, as well as pool and ping pong tables to keep you busy while you await your meal.
In Tamarindo, a nice little place for tacos and great margaritas (try the OG, or the jalapeño margarita). Love the crispy crunch of their fish tacos. Friendly staff, too!
12 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Little Lucha
In Tamarindo, a nice little place for tacos and great margaritas (try the OG, or the jalapeño margarita). Love the crispy crunch of their fish tacos. Friendly staff, too!
You can drive to The Grateful Hotel in Playa Grande, or take a water taxi from Tamarindo to get there. We enjoy the artichoke hearts appetizer and the salad with big hunks of the freshest tuna you can imagine.
The Grateful Hotel
You can drive to The Grateful Hotel in Playa Grande, or take a water taxi from Tamarindo to get there. We enjoy the artichoke hearts appetizer and the salad with big hunks of the freshest tuna you can imagine.
Local Microbrews
BOA has the best local beer around. It’s what we keep on tap in our kegorator at Casa Todo Bien! Great atmosphere with a mister system to keep you cool on even the hottest days. PLEASE NOTE: There are two empty beer growlers in the pantry. They are from Volcano Brewing, but you are welcome to fill them at any of our local breweries!
6 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Brothers Of Ale (BOA) Brewing
BOA has the best local beer around. It’s what we keep on tap in our kegorator at Casa Todo Bien! Great atmosphere with a mister system to keep you cool on even the hottest days. PLEASE NOTE: There are two empty beer growlers in the pantry. They are from Volcano Brewing, but you are welcome to fill them at any of our local breweries!
Tamarindo is about a half-hour drive from the Guest House. Volcano has two locations: a beachside restaurant and their main venue in town.
Volcano Brewing Company
Calle CentralTamarindo is about a half-hour drive from the Guest House. Volcano has two locations: a beachside restaurant and their main venue in town.
Across from the Liberia airport, located within the Solarium complex, you’ll find Numu’s brewery. Nothing fancy, just a place for a nice, cold, fresh beverage.
Numu Brewing Company
Across from the Liberia airport, located within the Solarium complex, you’ll find Numu’s brewery. Nothing fancy, just a place for a nice, cold, fresh beverage.
You’ll find Papagayo Brewing Company in the Solarium complex, across from the LIR airport. If you are early for a flight, check it out! The passion fruit ale is wonderfully refreshing.
Papagayo Brewing Co.
You’ll find Papagayo Brewing Company in the Solarium complex, across from the LIR airport. If you are early for a flight, check it out! The passion fruit ale is wonderfully refreshing.
Playa Grande is a great surf town, and much quieter than Tamarindo. Enjoy a nice cold beer with lunch, then check out the beach!
Las Olas Brewing Playa Grande
Playa Grande is a great surf town, and much quieter than Tamarindo. Enjoy a nice cold beer with lunch, then check out the beach!
Activities
Enjoy this beachside location in Potrero for drinks…or rent a sail boat, kayak, or SUP for some fun on the water.
44 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Costa Rica Sailing Center
Paseo Surf SideEnjoy this beachside location in Potrero for drinks…or rent a sail boat, kayak, or SUP for some fun on the water.
Lazy Lizard has two catamarans sailing out of Flamingo for snorkeling and sunset tours. Drinks and food are included. (Note: Lazy Lizard sails out of Potrero bay. You will need to board a dinghy to be taken to the catamaran; this will require you to wade into the ocean. If you prefer a tour with deck access, check out the info for Panache).
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Lazy Lizard Sailing
Lazy Lizard has two catamarans sailing out of Flamingo for snorkeling and sunset tours. Drinks and food are included. (Note: Lazy Lizard sails out of Potrero bay. You will need to board a dinghy to be taken to the catamaran; this will require you to wade into the ocean. If you prefer a tour with deck access, check out the info for Panache).
This little hotel in neighboring Potrero offers yoga with a gorgeous ocean view at 8:30 am.
11 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Bahia del Sol Hotel beachfront Playa Potrero
This little hotel in neighboring Potrero offers yoga with a gorgeous ocean view at 8:30 am.
Step right aboard and set sail from the new Marina Flamingo, with Panache. Friendly and helpful staff. Food, drinks, and snorkeling.
Panache Sailing
911Step right aboard and set sail from the new Marina Flamingo, with Panache. Friendly and helpful staff. Food, drinks, and snorkeling.
Relaxation
Veronica offers both beachside and on-site massage service, coming right to the Guest House for a small additional fee. She is a certified massage therapist, knowledgeable about, and helpful with, many health issues. Offers several types of massages, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and facials. Reserve your appointment by calling 506-6108-3491.
Veronic’s Massage Playa Potrero
Veronica offers both beachside and on-site massage service, coming right to the Guest House for a small additional fee. She is a certified massage therapist, knowledgeable about, and helpful with, many health issues. Offers several types of massages, manicures, pedicures, waxing, and facials. Reserve your appointment by calling 506-6108-3491.
Unique Experiences
Here are some ideas for memorable experiences that are a little different!
Castillo de Lilo is a “castle” of sorts on top of a mountain across Potrero bay and visible from the Guest House. They offer private dinners and sunset happy hours. The views are absolutely the best around. When you make a reservation, you can also request private transportation, which is recommended as you will be leaving the property after dark…and you may have been drinking. Their website for further information is:
https://castillodelilo.com/
Castillo de Lilo
Castillo de Lilo is a “castle” of sorts on top of a mountain across Potrero bay and visible from the Guest House. They offer private dinners and sunset happy hours. The views are absolutely the best around. When you make a reservation, you can also request private transportation, which is recommended as you will be leaving the property after dark…and you may have been drinking. Their website for further information is:
https://castillodelilo.com/
Neighborhoods
Flamingo Beach is a half-mile from the guest house. Walking to the beach takes about 10-minutes; if you have a vehicle, it’s just a couple of minutes.
Playa Flamingo is an excellent place to spend the day: rent canopies and loungers, enjoy lunch and drinks at Coco Loco, and get a beach massage.
Playa Flamingo
Flamingo Beach is a half-mile from the guest house. Walking to the beach takes about 10-minutes; if you have a vehicle, it’s just a couple of minutes.
Playa Flamingo is an excellent place to spend the day: rent canopies and loungers, enjoy lunch and drinks at Coco Loco, and get a beach massage.
Potrero has many restaurants to choose from. For a local beachside favorite, try Las Brisas. They serve a wonder whole snapper. The Costa Rica Sailing Center rents kayaks, SUPs, and sail boats and has a nice beer selection. Speaking of beer, Potrero is also home to the Potrero brewery, where there are a few food carts to choose from if you want to also grab a bite to eat. You’ll find delicious gelato in flavors like passionfruit and coconut at a shop a little past the soccer field. Be sure to check out an off-the-beaten-path beach called Playa Penca — gorgeous white sand and very few people.
59 Recomendado por los habitantes de la zona
Playa Potrero, Costa Rica
Potrero has many restaurants to choose from. For a local beachside favorite, try Las Brisas. They serve a wonder whole snapper. The Costa Rica Sailing Center rents kayaks, SUPs, and sail boats and has a nice beer selection. Speaking of beer, Potrero is also home to the Potrero brewery, where there are a few food carts to choose from if you want to also grab a bite to eat. You’ll find delicious gelato in flavors like passionfruit and coconut at a shop a little past the soccer field. Be sure to check out an off-the-beaten-path beach called Playa Penca — gorgeous white sand and very few people.
Brasilito is one of Flamingo’s neighboring towns and has a more local feel. You can park in Brasilito and walk across Playa Brasilito to get to Playa Conchal, a beach made up of tiny shells rather than sand. Or visit one of our favorite restaurants, like Patagonia del Mar, Masala, or Papaya.
Brasilito
Brasilito is one of Flamingo’s neighboring towns and has a more local feel. You can park in Brasilito and walk across Playa Brasilito to get to Playa Conchal, a beach made up of tiny shells rather than sand. Or visit one of our favorite restaurants, like Patagonia del Mar, Masala, or Papaya.