GUANACASTE REGION
Guanacaste Province is an area on the North Pacific side of the country.
About
Guanacaste, Costa Rica is a province located on the Northern Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and it has become the number one Costa Rica vacation destination. With over 400 miles of coastline and surrounded by volcanos like the famous Rincon de la Vieja, Guanacaste is home to world-class Costa Rica vacation destinations, hotels, and all-inclusive resorts. It is also easily accessible thanks to the Daniel Oduber International Airport located in Libera, the capital city of Guanacaste. Every year tourists from all over the world flock to Guanacaste to experience the pristine beaches, abundant rainforests, and variety of boutique, eco, 5-star and romantic Guanacaste hotels.
Guanacaste is unique in Costa Rica for its dryer, tropical climate. Although Guanacaste does still experience a rainy season, it is still the driest part of the country. That means more time sunbathing on white sandy beaches or adventuring through lush rainforests. The dry tropical climate and proximity to both beaches and mountains make the ideal location for travelers seeking anything from sun and relaxation to mountain adventure to nature and birding tours. In fact, Guanacaste vacation tours are some of the best in the country. Guanacaste’s extraordinary natural diversity, great climate, stunning beaches, and vacation tours make it the ideal vacation destination for you and your whole family.
Climate
From November to April you’ll find dry, tropical weather, perfect for beach hopping and hiking. Daily temperatures average around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The rainy season, or “green season” is from May to November. During the rainy season, you’ll likely experience short to medium showers during the afternoon. However, don’t let the rain scare you away! The vegetation in Guanacaste blossoms during the wet months and the surrounding mountains come alive with color.
Culture and History
On July 25th, 1824 the people of Guanacaste voted to become part of Costa Rica, and Guanacaste was annexed into Costa Rica from Nicaragua. July 25th is now “Guanacaste Day” and is celebrated every year. Guanacaste was named from the word quahnacaztlan, the indigenous word for the national tree of Costa Rica, which is found in Guanacaste. The 5,932 square mile region is cattle country and as you explore small towns you’ll find an almost romantic cowboy culture. It’s not unusual to see great herds of cows, rodeos and cowboys throughout the province.
Today Guanacaste culture is heavily influenced by music, traditional dances and corn. Some of the famous dances from Guanacaste include “El Punto Gunacasteco” and “La Cajeta” and most are derived from Andalusian Flamenco. You’ll also find a huge variety of corn-based dishes and drinks in Guanacaste. Stop by local markets in Liberia and Nicoya and try traditional corn tortillas, tamales and bizcochos.
Top Destinations
The Guanacaste region is also home to the Gulf of Papagayo, which covers the northern coastlines. The condo is located in this region, in the town of Ocotal. The Gulf of Papagayo boasts some of the finest luxury resorts in Costa Rica. Here you can visit a wide variety of beaches from the party town of Playas del Coco to the serene waters of Playa Panama. Make sure to visit the mysterious Playa Ocotal. The white mists surrounding the beach are said to have healing properties. One beach you cannot miss when visiting the Gulf is Playa Hermosa. Playa Hermosa is far more peaceful than its neighbor Playas del Coco and definitely lives up to its name ‘beautiful beach’. Playa Flamingo has the powdery white sand and piercing blue waters any tropical beach should have. A lot to choose from!
Get ready for a beach sunset you will never forget in Tamarindo. Tamarindo is one of the most popular beach towns in Costa Rica. With crystal blue waters and pristine sand, the beach is perfect for surfing, fishing, and catamaran tours. In town, there are a variety of shops, restaurants, and bars to take advantage of. You’ll also find many types of hotels, including luxury all-inclusive and boutique romantic hotels.
Playa Conchal is truly one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. It is famous for its white-shelled beach and brilliant, crystal-clear waters. Conchal is a great place to get a massage on the beach, or go jet skiing, sailing, or horseback riding. Playa Conchal is also home to some of the most exclusive and luxurious resorts in Costa Rica.
If you’re ready for an adventure, be sure to visit Rincon de la Vieja, a famous volcano and national park one hour from Liberia. Take advantage of one of the many combo tours, which allow you to zip line, repel down waterfalls, hike, and relax in thermal hot springs–all in one day! The area is also on the UNESCO World Heritage list because it is so ecologically diverse. Hike or ride horseback through the national park to see jaw-dropping Costa Rican flora and fauna.
Eco-tourists and birders will fall in love with Monteverde National Park. Monteverde is home the famous Cloud Forests of Costa Rica, which have more species of trees than the USA and more than 400 species of birds. During the day, the foggy and mysterious Cloud Forests will leave you in awe as you hike through it, or over it on Hanging Bridges. At night you can take a guided hike to see the diverse range of wildlife lurking in the darkness. Monteverde is also the best place for an exciting canopy tour.
The Arenal Volcano is Costa Rica’s most famous volcano. It towers impressively over the small town of La Fortuna (you can find one of the best rope swings in the world here - ask Stephen about it!) and the world’s largest man-made lake, Lake Arenal. The Arenal National Park is perfect for more adventurous travelers. There are endless opportunities to hike, white water raft, zip line, kayak, and more. If you’re looking for a more relaxing vacation, not to worry, Arenal is perfect for you too. Geothermally heated hot springs can be found all over the place, as well as the world-famous spa, Nayara Springs Spa & Gardens. We located a wonderful "hot" river here!
The Nicoya Peninsula has been labeled one of the five Blue Zones of the world. Here you can visit some stunning beaches like Playa Samara and Nosara. Playa Samara is a laid-back hippie community with a stunning beach line. Here you can also explore the phenomenon of the tropical dry forest. The dry forest is an increasingly rare ecosystem that still provides real value to Costa Rica’s biodiversity. Nosara, on the other hand, is famous for its world-class yoga retreats. The Nicoya Peninsula also houses some other treasures like Ostional Wildlife Refuge. Here you can see the sea turtles nesting in the afternoon, and the eggs hatching in the morning! Watching the baby sea turtles make their way to the ocean might be the most moving sight you will ever see!
