This spot is a classic, must-visit resto. If you forget to make a reservation and the dining room is packed, no worries, they do takeout! The team are super kind and attentive. We didn’t have a reservation, but were there early enough to scoop a table for two. We heard that they were a great spot, but we didn't realize the treat we were in for … impressive homemade pizza and pasta are crowd favourites for sure, though the mixed seafood plate - calamari and jumbo shrimp - was an impressive presentation and delicious. We also ordered a classic spaghetti carbonara … a simple dish dependent on quality ingredients, excellent touch and precise timing.  La Forketta did not disappoint on all counts.

Portions are generous, so expect some leftovers, and the 10-minute walk back to Sueños del Mar is a perfect digestif.

Follow La Forketta on IG here.

When restaurants have a giant, multi-page menu, we're usually a bit skeptical … can you really be good at ALL those things? How much of your menu is straight outta the freezer? But The Beach House Bar and Restaurant is a different bird. Formerly a private residence, today it's a quaint restaurant right on Potrero beach where as they say, "sunsets are on the house."
You can have them cook what you catch and we saw several fishing and boating excursions drop groups off at the end of their day on the water.
Happy hour features two-for-one margaritas and rum punch. We opted for margaritas to quench our thirst.

If you're driving between Potrero and the beaches down the coast like Brasilito or Conchal you'll zip right past The Beach House along the main road. And from Sueños del Mar, you can take a 15-minute stroll down Potrero beach to pop in for breakfast or lunch, though for dinner, we did jump in the car for the two-minute drive to save walking the beach in darkness.

Our casado plate hit the spot and the front-row seat for the sunset over the Pacific was just as magical as it always is.

Check out The Beach House online here.

The first time we visited Costa Rica, we stayed in Brasilito (another great beach town only 5km away from Sueños del Mar). Everyday we'd pass this little wine bar with its drapes billowing in the breeze. Nestled on a little stretch of the main highway connecting Conchal to Flamingo, somehow we kept missing the window of when they were open and didn't get a chance to visit. On our next visit, we were determined to check them out and once again we were not disappointed.

The vibe is low-key cool, presentation impeccable, food delicious. In my typical 'can I try a bit of everything' style, I ordered a cheese board and wine flight. Gorgeous presentation, delicious wines perfectly paired with the offering. Then we ordered a hand-crafted, wood-fired pizza. Also delicious … and they do takeout!
But our portions were generous enough that our takeout was our leftovers ;-).

The team here was kind, caring and attentive … their passion for good food and great service came through in the glass and on the plate. A lovely spot for the family to eat out, or to enjoy a dreamy date.

Follow La Vid on IG here.

As we got more familiar with the central, commercial strip of Potrero, we found the Carpe Diem café on the way to Playa Penca. This artsy little spot serves up impressive smoothies and sandwiches … the more than coffee in their name. Open from 7:30 am to 4:00 pm, Carpe Diem is a casual breakfast and lunch spot. The cozy, sun-dappled patio is scattered with rough-hewn tables and colourful benches.
We sip refreshing smoothies while we wait for our hand-crafted sandwiches. They're both delicious and filling to sustain us for an afternoon at the beach.

It's about a half hour walk, or 6-minute drive, from Sueños del Mal in Surfside to Potrero's commercial square. Whether you walk or drive, it's worth a visit to take in more typical Tico fare … sodas and restaurants, grocery, art shop and a soccer field!

Follow Carpe Diem on Facebook here.

The beaches in Costa Rica are public and there are many to explore. It's not unusual to visit more than a few in a given day and they each have their own vibe. The ones in Guanacaste that we've had a chance to discover include: 

• Playa Potrero is home base at Sueños  del Mar. It's a lovely, reasonably calm bay and the beach is not too busy at any time of day.
• Playa Brasilito is a quick drive south. We enjoyed our morning stroll on this wonderful beach though it seems to be used more as a pathway to Conchal.
• Playa Conchal is a gorgeous white sand beach only accessible through Brasilito beach or the Westin Conchal hotel. A beautiful spot to spend the day.
• Playa Flamingo, a 5-minute drive away is another white sand beach in the area, and a similarly popular beach-day destination that's typically more crowded given the nearby resorts and condos.
• Playa Penca is north of Surfside and accessed via the road off the main square of Potrero's commercial strip, although not a white sand beach, Penca reminds me of Flamingo, yet far less busy.
• Playa Prieta, yet another enjoyable, quiet beach, sits at the north end of Penca, where during the dry season, you can take a short walk through the woods at Penca's north end to arrive at Playa Prieta.
• Tamarindo is a half-hour drive south of Potrero and a bustling beach community with lots of activity, shopping and nightlife. The beach itself is great for surfing and you can easily find lessons too.

For more beaches and loads of inside scoop on Costa Rica, follow My Tan Feet.

This beachfront hub in Surfside Potrero is a one-minute walk from Sueños del Mar. It's the best spot to get your bearings and start your Potrero adventures. The Sailing Centre offers instruction, rentals, tours, and even camps for kids! Whether you're curious about learning to sail, or keen to kayak or paddle around the bay, you will find everything you need at the Sailing Centre. Founded by two buddies who first sailed to Costa Rica almost 30 years ago, the Sailing Centre is a hive of activity for visitors and locals alike.
Over the years, the Centre has expanded to also include Hemingway's Bar and Restaurant. Delicious eats and gorgeous cocktails are a magnet for many in the area. Hemingway's offers live music, evening bonfires and a front-row seat to Potrero Bay's renowned sunsets. Reliable service, robust menu and consistently fun vibe make this a fave spot to relax and chill for singles, couples and families too.
We enjoyed the Double-smoked wings and Blackened tuna sliders for a late lunch, and since it was vacation, we sipped an Oak Park Tonic, too - an elevated Gin & tonic that's a perfectly delicious thirst-quencher.

Follow the Costa Rica Sailing Centre on IG here.
​And check out Hemingway's on Facebook here.

This gem is on the main strip in Surfside Potrero. Swing by for coffee or lunch … everything is delicious! And there are lovely, local finds to pick up there too – chocolate, pepper sauce, crafts. We stopped by after a morning walk around the neighbourhood - one gorgeous property after another that inspired us to keep looking for our own ;-).

Americano is our go-to coffee and the team at Nita pulled them well. We sat out on the patio to sip and enjoy as we waited for our meal. For breakfast, we ordered their spin on Gallo Pinto, El Quebrado. Their take on the traditional beans and rice meal was a gorgeous plate of rice and beans along with a poached egg, bacon, caramelized onions, grilled Turrialba cheese, baguette toasts. Grilled to perfection, the cheese was reminiscent of halloumi. The poached egg was nestled in the rice and beans like a precious gem. The flavours and textures across the plate worked together deliciously. Portions were just right to feel nourished and energized. We left satisfied and knew we'd be back.

Oh, and if you didn't guess by the logo, they're passionate about puppies. Depending on when you visit, you might be able to take in one of their puppy adoption days!
Follow Nita Coffee on IG here.