Playa Pez Vela, Costa Rica: A Quiet Beach Near Playa del Coco You Can Actually Visit
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When I was staying in Playa del Coco, I decided to check out a beach I had heard about a few times—Playa Pez Vela. It’s only about 15 minutes from Playa del Coco, but for some reason, not a lot of people go there. Most think it’s off-limits because the entrance goes through Hotel Playa Pez Vela. What many don’t know is that the beach—actually called Playa Azul—is open to the public, and you can get to it by walking through the hotel. The place isn’t very popular among locals either, probably because it seems like private property. But I was curious and figured it was time to see it for myself.
Getting to Playa Pez Vela
By Car
Playa Pez Vela is about a 15-minute drive from Playas del Coco and only 5 minutes from Playa Ocotal. If you’re already heading toward Ocotal, the turn-off to Pez Vela is on the same road. But it’s easy to miss. The first time I passed it, I didn’t realize that was the entrance—I saw the security booth and thought it was private property. I kept driving, got confused, and had to turn around. In the end, I opened Waze to double-check, and that helped me find the entrance without any more problems.
The road isn’t in great shape. It’s not fully paved and has quite a few rough spots. There are several curves, plus some steep hills both up and down, so you have to take it slow. You don’t need a 4×4 to get there, but I definitely recommend driving slowly and being careful, especially if it’s rained recently.
When you reach the entrance to Hotel Pez Vela, there’s another checkpoint. Just let the guard know you’re going to the beach. They’ll usually check if there’s space in the parking lot before letting you in. If there’s room, you’re good to go.
Parking is free and super close to the beach, which is a nice bonus—no long walks or tricky paths to deal with.
By Public Transportation
There’s no direct public bus to Playa Pez Vela. You won’t find any buses that drop you off nearby, and walking from Playa del Coco or Ocotal isn’t really practical, especially with the road conditions and lack of sidewalks. So if you don’t have a car, your best option is using a ride-hailing app like Uber.
When I visited, I noticed Uber works in this area. I checked the app and saw that rides to Playa Pez Vela from Playa del Coco usually start at around 4,000 colones (roughly $8 USD). Of course, the price can go up a bit depending on the time of day or demand, but it’s still a reasonable option if you’re not renting a car. Just keep in mind that once you’re at the beach, you might not find a ride back right away. It’s a good idea to schedule a return trip or at least check if there’s service available before heading out. That way, you won’t be stuck waiting around.
Access to the beach
Once you reach the entrance of Hotel Pez Vela, you’ll need to stop at the security booth. Just let the guard know that you’re going to the beach. They’ll check if there are any open parking spots before letting you in. If there’s space, they’ll wave you through, and from there, it’s about a two-minute drive inside the property.
The main parking area is on the right-hand side, just behind the hotel’s restaurant. It’s not far from the beach at all—probably a three-minute walk, and it’s flat, so pretty easy to get to.
Now, the parking lot isn’t very big. If it’s full, the only other option is to park outside the hotel, near the main entrance. There are a few spots out there, but they’re limited too. Plus, walking back from there can be a bit tricky. The road is uphill and there aren’t any sidewalks, so you’ll have to watch out for cars.
To make things easier, I’ve marked the main access points and parking spots on the map at the end of this article. That way, you’ll have a better idea of where to go once you’re on site.
About the beach
Playa Pez Vela is a small beach, about 200 meters from one end to the other, so it’s very easy to walk across. The sand is black, and the waves are usually calm. The water was pretty clear when I visited, which made it easier to see some fish near the rocks—especially on the south side. Still, you should always be careful with the current, even if the sea looks calm.
There are rocks scattered in some parts of the beach, so it’s a good idea to wear water shoes, especially during high tide when you can’t see them clearly. At low tide, the water pulls back quite a bit, so it feels like the bottom is closer. That said, it can also drop off quickly in some areas, so I recommend staying close to the shore and not going out too far if you’re unsure.
The beach has a few benches and shaded areas where you can sit and relax. There’s also an outdoor shower, which is great for rinsing off sand and saltwater before heading back. Bathrooms are available too, and there’s no cost to use them.
If you get hungry or need something to drink, the restaurant next to the beach is open to the public. I didn’t eat there this time, but it’s good to know you have that option.
On the south side of the beach, there’s a rocky path that leads to Playa Marbella. It’s about 500 meters, but it’s only accessible at low tide. I wanted to check it out, but the tide was too high when I went, so I decided to leave it for another day.
I visited on a Monday afternoon, and it wasn’t crowded at all. There were still open spots in the parking lot, and everything felt calm and relaxed.
There’s a viewing platform at the entrance to the Bahía Pez Vela Hotel. You can park your car there and enjoy the view of the Gulf of Papagayo.
Tips for Visiting Playa Pez Vela
- Bring water shoes—there are rocks both on the shore and in the water, especially at high tide.
- Drive carefully—the road is not fully paved and has curves, bumps, and steep sections.
- Bring your own gear—there are no rental services for chairs or umbrellas, so come ready if you plan to stay for a while.
- Plan your visit for a weekday. During weekends or holidays parking will be limited.
- There are several types of birds in this area, do not feed them and be careful about leaving food unattended.
- Be cautious in the water, particularly near the rocks and during low tide when the sea bottom drops off more suddenly.
