A vacation in Costa Rica isn’t just about daytime adventures in the rainforest. When the sun goes down, the country’s coastal towns and tourist hubs light up with their own dining and nightlife scene.
From upscale beachfront dining to open-air reggae bars and local night markets, there’s plenty to experience after dark. Navigating an unfamiliar country at night comes with its own challenges, though.
Here’s our guide to the best dining and nightlife spots in Costa Rica, and how to enjoy them safely.
Top dining and nightlife hubs in Costa Rica
1. Tamarindo: the high-energy party capital
If you want the most active nightlife on the Pacific coast, Tamarindo is the place.
- The food scene: beachfront dining where you can eat fresh sushi or locally caught mahi-mahi right on the sand.
- The nightlife: beachfront fire dancing shows, open-air nightclubs with international DJs, and a party that goes late. Don’t miss the Tamarindo Night Market every Thursday evening for live music and local street food.
2. Playas del Coco: the local and expat strip
Playas del Coco has a high-energy atmosphere that blends local culture with an active expat community.
- The food scene: Main Street has a wide range of international restaurants, local pizzerias, and upscale seafood joints.
- The nightlife: El Coco’s walkable Main Street is lined with sports bars, live music venues, and local craft breweries like Papagayo Brewing Co., good for bar-hopping.
3. Jacó Beach: the coastal party town
On the Central Pacific coast, Jacó is known for its high-volume nightlife and food scene.
- The food scene: cheap local “Sodas” serving traditional food, high-end steakhouses, and beachfront tiki bars.
- The nightlife: the most concentrated collection of nightclubs, sports bars, casinos, and pool parties in the country, a draw for bachelor parties and weekend travelers.
4. La Fortuna: craft beers and volcano views
If you prefer a relaxed evening, La Fortuna has a cozy inland vibe built around food and craft drinks.
- The food scene: upscale eco-restaurants with views of the illuminated Arenal Volcano, or traditional meals at local family estates.
- The nightlife: not a big clubbing town, but La Fortuna has craft beer pubs, open-air cocktail lounges, and live acoustic music in the jungle.
The reality of nighttime driving in Costa Rica
Enjoying Costa Rica’s nightlife is one thing. Driving yourself back to your hotel or vacation villa afterward is another.
- The dark-road hazard: street lighting is rare on secondary coastal roads and mountain passes. Potholes, unpaved gravel tracks, and sharp curves are hard to see after dark.
- Pedestrians and wildlife: many beach towns lack sidewalks, so locals, tourists, and wildlife (like dogs or coatis) walk along the edges of dark roads.
- Strict local laws: Costa Rica enforces zero-tolerance laws and heavy penalties for driving under the influence. Police checkpoints are common on the roads outside nightlife hubs like Tamarindo and Jacó.
Enjoy your night out safely with Beach Shuttles CR
Don’t let transportation stress or an argument over who has to be the designated driver ruin your evening. A professional shuttle service is a safer way to experience Costa Rica after dark.
At Beach Shuttles CR, we run private and shared shuttle services built for a night out:
- Door-to-door pickup: we pick you up from your hotel lobby and drop you off at the restaurant or bar entrance, then bring you back when you’re ready.
- Local drivers: our drivers know the dark rural roads, unpaved tracks, and nighttime traffic.
- No drink limits: order as many tropical cocktails, margaritas, or local craft beers as you want. Relax in our air-conditioned vans while we handle the driving.
