Jennifer’s guidebook
Food scene
Fast casual Tex Mex where it's the only place in the area that you can pick the meat and toppings for your taco, burrito, nachos, burritos bowls. Best frozen margaritas in town! Big Ass Margarita= BAM. Quick friendly service and always fresh food.
10 locals recommend
Amigos Tacos y Beer
Fast casual Tex Mex where it's the only place in the area that you can pick the meat and toppings for your taco, burrito, nachos, burritos bowls. Best frozen margaritas in town! Big Ass Margarita= BAM. Quick friendly service and always fresh food.
On the beach of Flamingo with great food, reasonably priced.
171 locals recommend
Restaurante Coco Loco
Flamingo Beach RoadOn the beach of Flamingo with great food, reasonably priced.
Good food and fun place for Sunsets. Bonfire on the beach and live music most nights
54 locals recommend
The Restaurant at the Sailing Center
Good food and fun place for Sunsets. Bonfire on the beach and live music most nights
On the beach and close to Luna Miel condo. Good price, reasonably priced. Get the shrimp basket!
63 locals recommend
The Beach House
On the beach and close to Luna Miel condo. Good price, reasonably priced. Get the shrimp basket!
Local hangout, good food. Get the cobb salad. Closed on Saturdays. Live music on weekends. Nice owners
94 locals recommend
The Shack
Local hangout, good food. Get the cobb salad. Closed on Saturdays. Live music on weekends. Nice owners
Bar scene, music,nightlife, pool table, decent food. Sports bar with a lot of TVs and game room area.
111 locals recommend
La Perla Restaurant
Brasilito to PotreroBar scene, music,nightlife, pool table, decent food. Sports bar with a lot of TVs and game room area.
La Forketta
Calle NaranjaGreat food, yummy pizzas, friendly and fast service. Highly recommend
Popular spot for breakfast and lunch. Only place in the area with a small indoor seating area with AC. Food is really good.
100 locals recommend
Surf Box
Popular spot for breakfast and lunch. Only place in the area with a small indoor seating area with AC. Food is really good.
Camparino
Good italian restaurant in the village of Flamingo.
Fun place to hang out for dinner, live music, sunsets, rentals etc. Located on the beach of Potrero beside Bahia Del Sol Hotel/ Restaurant
44 locals recommend
Costa Rica Sailing Center
Paseo Surf SideFun place to hang out for dinner, live music, sunsets, rentals etc. Located on the beach of Potrero beside Bahia Del Sol Hotel/ Restaurant
Located on the main paved road on the left as you're driving out of Flamingo commerce area. Charming place, super nice owners and yummy food. I love the chicken basil pesto sandwich!
57 locals recommend
a'lo Nico
Located on the main paved road on the left as you're driving out of Flamingo commerce area. Charming place, super nice owners and yummy food. I love the chicken basil pesto sandwich!
The most incredible views in all of Costa Rica! Reservations ONLY! A reservation 72 hours in advance of preferred night is required. Excellent dining experience.
Castillo de Lilo
The most incredible views in all of Costa Rica! Reservations ONLY! A reservation 72 hours in advance of preferred night is required. Excellent dining experience.
Breathtaking sunset views! Reservations required for sunset lounge and dinner. Nice casual dress. Adults only. ( 17 and up).
79 locals recommend
Sentido Norte
Breathtaking sunset views! Reservations required for sunset lounge and dinner. Nice casual dress. Adults only. ( 17 and up).
Surf Box
Delicious food in a great location in the new Marina Flamingo
Gracia At Mar Vista
Great food and perfect spot for sunsets!
Neighborhoods
Small village about 5 minute car drive/ 10 minute golf cart ride. More active night life, bars, sailing center and just a cool vibe.
27 locals recommend
Potrero
Small village about 5 minute car drive/ 10 minute golf cart ride. More active night life, bars, sailing center and just a cool vibe.
Sightseeing
La Leona is a beautiful hike to the waterfalls in the canyon. It is challenging in certain parts. You must swim across the basin on a rope to see the falls.. The guide will assist. Super fun!
15 locals recommend
Catarata La Leona
La Leona is a beautiful hike to the waterfalls in the canyon. It is challenging in certain parts. You must swim across the basin on a rope to see the falls.. The guide will assist. Super fun!
Absolutely beautiful. It's about 2 hour drive from Luna Miel but well worth it. The hike to the falls is interesting with a variety of creatures and plants. Best to get a guide to walk with you to point out all the hidden treasures. The sloth sanctuary is about a 15 minute drive and also a nice park/ trail with interesting wildlife, plants and nature.
Rio Celeste
Absolutely beautiful. It's about 2 hour drive from Luna Miel but well worth it. The hike to the falls is interesting with a variety of creatures and plants. Best to get a guide to walk with you to point out all the hidden treasures. The sloth sanctuary is about a 15 minute drive and also a nice park/ trail with interesting wildlife, plants and nature.
Adventure park
Zipline, horseback riding, water slide, lunch, CR traditional presentation for coffee and chiliquaro, mud baths and hot springs.
52 locals recommend
Buena Vista Del Rincon Eco Adventure Park, Hotel & Spa
Zipline, horseback riding, water slide, lunch, CR traditional presentation for coffee and chiliquaro, mud baths and hot springs.
The Congo Trail
Only 30 minutes from Potrero to a great zipline and monkey park.
Hike to waterfalls
La Leona is one of our favorites hikes to see the waterfalls! Highly recommend but there are challenging areas for anyone physically challenged. In order to see the falls, you must swim across a rope. The guides assist.
15 locals recommend
Catarata La Leona
La Leona is one of our favorites hikes to see the waterfalls! Highly recommend but there are challenging areas for anyone physically challenged. In order to see the falls, you must swim across a rope. The guides assist.
Traveler advice
What to pack
Bring comfy, easy to wash clothes
Flip flops, walking shoes ( if you don't have a car of cart), easy to wash clothes ( no dry cleaners), hats, bathing suits, sunscreen and bug spray.
Getting around
Highly recommend golf cart rental or car
If you're not renting a golf cart or car, you'll need a shuttle from the airport. In order to fully appreciate all the beautiful beaches, stores and restaurants in the area, it's best to rent a golf cart or car. There is a bus station in Flamingo and also a few taxis but golf cart rental is the way to go!
Don't miss
Fun area!
On Mondays, don't miss the Moonlight Madness open air market in Flamingo. 5- 9pm.
The biggest market is in Tamarindo on Saturdays. You need a car, taxi or shuttle as it's a 25 minute drive.
Book before you go
Fun tours and activities
If you're coming in the high seaso, Nov- end of April, it's best to book the more popular tours in advance.
Sunset Catamaran cruise
Buena Vista - zip line, horseback riding, water slide, mudbaths, hot springs
La Leona Falls
Palo Verde river cruise
ATVs
Fishing charters