In Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, 400 miles (644 kilometers) of Pacific coastline vie for attention with tropical dry forests, undisturbed rural towns, and volcano-fueled hot springs. The country’s northern neighbor, Nicaragua (which you can easily visit on a day trip), lost control of this territory in the 19th century, although a distinctly Nicaraguan culture lingers. Sites are spread out, so tours can help sure you easily navigate between the places you most want to see. Inland, the region is noted for Rincon de la Vieja National Park, which offers hiking through a tropical dry forest, swimming beneath waterfalls, and soaking in mineral hot springs and mud baths. Summiting the Rincon de la Vieja volcano is every bit as exciting as the more popular Arenal volcano in Alajuela Province, but it’s less crowded and only a day trip from the beach. Additional nature parks dotting the region offer horseback riding; ziplining canopy tours; and opportunities to view sloths, howler monkeys, and lizards that call the forests home. On the coast, find your bliss surfing the swells of Tamarindo or Hermosa beach or soaking up sun rays on the shore. Snorkel among tropical fish at Playa Conchal, take a catamaran cruise out on the open water, or kayak through mangrove forests—all easily accessible from Liberia’s airport.
Guanacaste is best visited in the dry season, which runs roughly from December through the middle of May. This is also the most popular time to visit, so expect to pay a premium on lodging. The early months of the rainy season offer good value for money (especially as most rainfall occurs in the afternoon). However, hiking trails in the region can get muddy in the rainy months.
The best way to get around Guanacaste and the Northwest is to rent a car or hire the services of a taxi driver. If you’re on a strict budget, you might want to stick to taking the local bus. If you plan on taking a day trip to nearby Nicaragua, you’re best off joining a guided tour, as most rental companies don’t want you taking their vehicles across the border.
At first glance, El Callejero Food Truck—with its garage door entryway and location next to a car battery store—looks more like an auto repair shop than one of the best burger spots in Liberia. Looks can be deceiving, and inside you’ll find wooden picnic tables carefully arranged along manicured, pebble-lined pathways and oversized fairy lights suspended from a canopy of trees overhead.
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Tropical forests meet beautiful beaches in Guanacaste, a Costa Rican province famed for its biodiversity and natural beauty. Its expansive grasslands lie between volcanoes and the sea, and conservation areas such as Palo Verde National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve provide essential habitats for birds, butterflies, and sloths.
...MoreMost visitors go to northwestern Costa Rica for its spectacular natural beauty, whether they’re lounging on Papagayo beaches, paddling into Tamarindo surf breaks, or hiking the Monteverde cloud forest. Birdwatching, hiking, and wildlife tours are top activities, as is horseback riding through national parks such as Rincón de la Vieja and Santa Rosa.
...MoreA week is enough to get a taste of Guanacaste parks and beaches. First spend several days inland, spotting birds and wildlife in a conservation area such as Rincón de la Vieja or Santa Rosa National Park. Next, head to the coast for some well-earned sun and sand.
...MoreGuanacaste tourist activities are all about the natural world. It is one of Costa Rica’s top destinations for walking and horseback riding, and many travelers seek out birds, butterflies, and wildlife including sloths. On the scenic Pacific coast, beaches are for swimming, surfing, and watching yearly sea turtle hatches.
...MoreTamarindo Beach is Guanacaste’s top tourist attraction and is among Costa Rica’s most popular destinations. This laid-back surf town has an energetic party scene, but the shoreline itself is the real draw. Here, golden sand lights up at sunset, and surfers make the most of rolling swells from the Pacific.
...MoreYes, Guanacaste is considered safe for tourists. While petty crime does occur, the Costa Rican government invests additional security resources in areas where travelers congregate. Since nature is a major draw, it’s essential to follow basic precautions—keep your distance from wildlife, stay on hiking trails, and follow local weather advisories.
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