I have been to several beaches in Costa Rica and am very diaturbed by the scene in Playas del Coco. This town is NOT a place where you would want to bring your family or have a romantic getaway.
It is like the red light district in Bangkok! I will never recommend this horrible place and can't wait to leave tomorrow I am currently here. Do yourself a favor and go to Samara or Montezuma instead. Tis place is overpriced and devoid of morals! Is the whole town that way? Can it be avoided? We planned a shopping trip there, but do not want to go if the whole town is that way.
The whole town is not that way but unfortunately, you can not avoid seeing this because the town strip is extreley short. It started at about last night and I don't know how long it lasted because I left after dinner down and across the street at Bear in mind, that was on a Sunday evening. The town might be worse on a Saturday, I don't know though because we arrived on Sunday. Tamarindo is a cool little place. Though even there there are hookers adorning the bars of the main nights out and you'll be approached though non-threateningly about drugs both on the beach and in the bars often.
That is terrible I wonder who have that terrible idea I will report that to local police today! Does this happen in the day? Or just at night? Even south beach!
I know some people are fine with that type of display - I am not, never was and never will be! Alas, like Eliot already pointed out: There are many beach towns where you won't find anything like this. I have never liked Coco and don't think my opinion of the town will change anytime soon.
