Best Things to Do in Guanacaste | Costa Rica Experts (2024)

The province of Guanacaste is situated on Costa Rica’s northwest shoulder, bordered by Nicaragua inthe north and the Nicoya Peninsula inthe south. Growing in popularity, the region’s “Gold Coast” boasts a variety of beautiful beaches and rich culture.

Guanacaste Costa Rica’s dry, flat plains merge with tropical dry foreststo create landscapes akin to the American “wild west” and African savannas. This region supports Costa Rica’s beef and sugarcane production, and hasseveral national parks and wildlife reserves.

Costa Rica’s national tree, the Guanacaste, naturally thrives in the region’s arid climate. Cowboys and Campesinos of the cattle-country celebrate the Guanacaste for its abundant shade and the comfort it represents. The region of Guanacaste hasn’t yet forgotten its roots as a ranching area –topes, or rodeos, can be found nearly every weekend night during the summermonths (between February and April).

Liberia International Airport

The Daniel Oduber International Airport – one of two international airports in Costa Rica – is located in Guanacaste’s capital city of Liberia. The region’s best resorts and beaches are just an hour away by car.

Discover Top Guanacaste Beaches

Just west of Liberia lies the exclusivePeninsula Papagayo.This region features two of the most luxurious resorts in the country: the Andaz Papagayo and the Four Seasons. The 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course is also situated on the peninsula capturing breathtaking views of the Pacific.

Just south lie the grey-sands ofHermosa Beachwhich translates to “beautiful beach.” The waters here are generally calm making it a great family vacation spot. The nearby brown sands ofMatapalo Beachhost the guests of the all-inclusive RIU Guanacaste and RIU Palace which has created a more private resort experience for its visitors

Within Guanacaste Costa Rica is the popular town of Tamarindo which offers impressive restaurants and a bustling nightlife. The beaches ofTamarindo are some of the most popular in Costa Rica. Playa Tamarindo is a popular surfing destination, spread out beside the fast-growing beach town that was once a quiet fishing community, while the neighboring white sands ofLangosta Beachare quieter and better suited to swimming.

Further south are the uniqueFlamingo BeachandConchal Beach.The pinkish white sand of Flamingo Beach makes up a large section of Potrero Bay. All of the hotels on Flamingo Beach sit on a beautiful cliff overlooking the beach and ocean below. Conchal Beach, as the name suggests, was once composed primarily of crushed seashells, but have since been removed to be utilized in building and construction projects. Nearly all of Conchal Beach backs up to the Westin Playa Conchal Resort complex.

Further south,Mansita Beachhosts the guests of the JW Marriott Guanacaste. Additionally, JW vacationers enjoy the amenities ofHacienda Pinilla,an exclusive resort and residential community featuring golf, tennis, stables, a beach club, and various dining options.

Related Article: Best Beaches in Costa Rica

Explore Rincon de la Vieja National Park.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park is famous for Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, it’s active crater, and the active landscape of geysers, mud pots, hotsprings, and fumaroles surrounding them. Additionally, there are waterfalls, a lake, and wildlife to be found within the park. There are hiking trails within the park. One of the nicest trails within the park is the 1.75-mileLas Pailas loop. It begins at the park entrance and leads you along some of the bubbling landscape. It’s possible to hike up to thesummit, but it takes 7 hours for a total of just over 10 miles. Another hike is theLa Cangrejo Waterfalland Blue Lake hike which is about 6 miles.

Tenorio Volcano National Park & Rio Celeste Waterfall

The remote Rio Celeste Waterfall is a naturally occurring brilliant turquoise waterfall within Tenorio Volcano National Park. Minerals in the volcanic soil combine to create the waterfall’s beautiful colors attracting travelers from around the world. It’s a roughly tw0-hour hike each way to reach Rio Celeste Waterfall.

Sea Turtle Nesting

The leatherback sea turtle, the largest in the world, returns to Playa Grande each year to bury its eggs in the sand. Sea turtle nesting times can be difficult to predict. Tours generally occur at night and must be organized with a guide to preserve these fragile ecosystems and keep the turtles coming back each year.

Santa Rosa National Park

Established in 1971, Santa Rosa National Park was the first national park in Costa Rica. It was initially founded to preserveLa Casona, a ranch house celebrated for its role in Costa Rica’s independence. Today, it’s also known for its dry forest, beautiful beaches, birding, and surf. Sea turtles can also be seen nesting ashore Naranjo and Nancite Beach within the park. Nancite Beach is one of two locations in Costa Rica where Olive Ridley Sea Turtles come to shore for the annualarribada or mass sea turtle nesting.

Palo Verde National Park Wetlands

Palo Verde National Park is known for its wetlands with alarge population of aquatic bird species and its tropical dry forests. This park is remote with over 300 species of tropical birds and alluvial planes from the Tempisque River attracting over 250,000 species of migratory geese, ducks, and other waterfowl. The park also has the only scarlet macaw colony to permanently inhabit a dry forest.

More Guanacaste Attractions & Things To Do:

• White Sand Beaches
• Surfing
• SCUBA Diving
• Fishing
• Golf

Guanacaste Travel FAQ: