Playa Flamingo, five minutes south of Potrero, has the white sand and calmer, cleaner water that makes it the better of the two beaches for snorkelling. The bay is more sheltered and the visibility is generally good, particularly in the dry season when rainfall has not stirred up sediment. Reef fish are abundant close to shore, and it is not unusual to spot sea turtles coming up to breathe — green turtles in particular feed along this stretch of coast.
Snorkelling gear is available to rent from shops in Flamingo, and the water is shallow enough near the beach that even non-swimmers can look into the reef easily. For deeper reef and open-water snorkelling — and the chance to encounter bigger fish — several operators run half-day boat trips to offshore sites along the coast. These often combine snorkelling with a beach stop and are a reliable way to see more of the marine life of the Papagayo Gulf.
The walk between Potrero and Flamingo along the beach and coast road is pleasant and easy, making it straightforward to combine both beaches in a day.