This is Part 1 of a 3-part series on things to do in and around Playa Potrero covering the water activities here in Part 1, activities on land in Part 2, and the all-in-one adventure parks worth the longer drive in Part 3.
If you're planning a trip to Playa Potrero you might be asking what else is there to do besides beaches and eating amazing food. The great news is it's an adventure playground for both children and adults with lots of options and great operators. We'll start where most people start - in the water, since that's what Guanacaste does best. If you're here for the surf specifically, we've already written a dedicated guide to the surf beaches near us; this post covers everything else you can do on or under the water.
Potrero beach: sailing, kayaks, paddleboards and eFoils
The Costa Rica Sailing Center sits right at the entrance to Potrero beach in Bahia del Sol, which is about an 8 minute walk from Casa Roberta or 5 minutes from Casa Daniel. It's a genuinely easy first stop: they offer sailing lessons for beginners and kids, fishing trips, and rentals of sailboats, kayaks, and paddleboards. They've recently added eFoils to the lineup too, which is worth trying at least once. If you haven't, it's an electric hydrofoil board that lifts you above the water, no wave or wind required.
Snorkeling, catamarans and sunset sails from Flamingo
For a bigger day on the water, Sailing Guanacaste and a handful of similar operators run out of Flamingo Marina, about a 5-minute drive north. Their snorkeling trips head to spots like Playa Amor, Playa Plata, and Dantita, with a good chance of seeing sea turtles, rays, and reef sharks alongside the usual parrotfish and puffers. The same operators typically offer sunset catamaran sails, private charters, and scuba diving on request. It's worth comparing a couple of companies, since the boats, routes, and what's included (food, drinks, gear) vary.
Scuba diving at the Catalina Islands
The Catalina Islands, a short boat ride offshore, are the main dive destination for this whole stretch of coast, and dive shops in both Tamarindo and Flamingo run trips out there for certified divers and beginners alike (most offer introductory dives and PADI certification courses). Visibility is best in the dry season; the big draw for a lot of divers is the chance of giant Pacific manta rays, most commonly reported from around January to April.
Sportfishing charters
Both Flamingo and Tamarindo have charter fleets running inshore and offshore trips - inshore for roosterfish and snapper close to the coast, offshore (further out, longer days) for mahi-mahi, sailfish, and marlin depending on season. If your group has a mix of serious anglers and people who just want to be on a boat, ask about a half-day inshore trip before committing to a full offshore charter.
Kayaking the Tamarindo estuary
About 30 minutes south, the Tamarindo estuary is a different kind of water activity altogether that involves a guided kayak paddle through the mangroves that borders Las Baulas National Marine Park, with a good chance of spotting crocodiles, howler and capuchin monkeys, and a long list of birds. It's calm, flat water, which makes it one of the better water activities for families with younger kids who aren't quite up for open-water snorkeling yet.
A few practical tips
- Morning is generally calmer than afternoon for anything on open water. The wind tends to pick up after lunch.
- If snorkeling or diving is a priority, build in a flexible day or two; visibility depends on recent rain and can change quickly.
- We can make all the reservations at no extra charge to you or give you recommendations on operators, contact us directly.
- If you're planning to dive, snorkel from a boat, or go offshore fishing, double check your travel insurance covers it; some policies treat these as excluded "adventure sports."
Our favorites
An early paddleboard session before the wind comes up, followed by an afternoon boat trip out to the Catalinas - that's hard to beat as a single day. If you only do one water activity all trip, though, make it the sunset catamaran; it's the easiest way to see this coastline from the water without any skill or experience required.
Up next: Part 2 of this series moves onto dry land activities including horseback riding, ATV tours, zip lining, wildlife encounters and mountain biking.
Ready to book your Costa Rica trip?
Casa Roberta and Casa Daniel put you within a few minutes of most of what's in this post. Book direct with us and save on platform fees.
Questions about which of these is worth your time on a short trip? Reach out - you'll get us, not a call center.