Playa del Coco, Costa Rica

This beach community in Guanacaste Province is no tropical paradise. Playa del Coco is located about 20 miles from the largest town in the region, Liberia, and has seen rapid growth fueled by an influx of foreign visitors and residents since the 1990s. While the town's expansion has brought increased development, the persistent bureaucratic headaches are a major downside. Those seeking an authentic Costa Rican experience may want to look elsewhere, as Playa del Coco has become increasingly dominated by foreign influences.