Guanacaste National Park
West of the Inter-American Highway, across from Santa Rosa National Park, lies the Guanacaste National Park, a 80,336 acre (32,512 ha) park. The area spans several ecosystems situated in the watershed of the Tempisque and two volcanoes-Orosi (4,879 ft /1,487 m) and Cacao (5,443 ft / 1,659 m). The most recent addition to the massive Guanacaste Conservation Area, Guanacaste National Park was created on July 25, 1989, on Guanacaste Day (Dia de Guanacaste). The park serves as a testament to the hard work of Dr. Daniel Janzen, who lobbied authorities for a park that encompassed a variety of adjoining habitats to improve the survival rates of local fauna. The wildlife corridor the park forms with neighboring Santa Rosa extends southeast to Rincon de la Vieja, forming a broad triangle of protected area.
The Tempisque River supports Guanacaste's thriving dry forests that encompass the lowlands, which give way to virgin mountainous and cloud forest at higher elevations. The peaks of Orosi and Cacao, among others, represent the continental divide, east of which lies the park's wetter Atlantic side. Trails span the park, making for ideal hiking.
Guanacaste Park's main attraction is birding and animal observation. Species are plentiful: howler, capuchin, spider and white-faced monkeys, coatis, white-tailed deer, and a plethora of bird species inhabit the park.
Quebrada Grande, the park's main entrance, can be accessed from the Inter-American Highway via Porterillos, where a 6 mile (10 km) dirt road heads northeast to the park. The Cacao Biological Station sits at an elevation of 3,478 ft (1060 m), amidst cloud forest, 3 km from Quebrada Grande. From here a trail leads to the summit of Volcan Cacao.
Pre-Colombian petroglyphs mark the landscape at the open plain of El Pedregal, in route to the summit of Orosi. Below, the Maritza Biological Station is a 1.5 mile (3 km) hike from the Inter-American Highway via Cuaginiquil.
Room and board is available at one of the park&s biological stations, which offer dorm-style rooms and shared bathrooms. Permission from the National Parks Services (Sevicio de Parques Nacionales) in San Jose is required prior to visitation. A number of lodges and haciendas offer accommodation outside of the park. These accommodations are generally characterized as rustic, rural, affable, and familial.
The rainy season lasts from May to November, giving way to the intense sun, typical of Guanacaste. However, weather is sporadic at higher elevations.
Where to stay in Guanacaste National Park
From boutique lodges to luxury resorts, every Guanacaste National Park accommodation is hand-picked by our local insiders for location, comfort, and character.
Borinquen Thermal Resort
Volcanic mud baths and natural thermal springs form the core of Borinquen Thermal Resort. This four-star hotel sits near Rincon de la Vieja in Costa Rica, where mountain scenery surrounds Spanish-rustic architecture.
Buena Vista del Rincon
Buena Vista del Rincon sits on a large hacienda near the periphery of Rincon de la Vieja National Park in Guanacaste. The Guanacaste Province is a diverse geographic region containing many microclimates, and the landscape surrounding Rincon de la Vieja is markedly different from the flat plains and famous surfing beaches below.
Hotel Guachipelin
Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin is located at the foot of the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, in the northwestern region of Guanacaste. The hacienda borders the popular Rincon de la Vieja National Park. Natural hot springs, virgin forests, jungle waterfalls and volcanic mud pots are just some of the many attractions tourists can enjoy during a stay at the hacienda.
Canon de la Vieja Lodge
Surrounded by beautiful gardens and tropical forest, the Canon de la Vieja Lodge provides a tranquil environment and unbelievable access to a plethora of outdoor activities. Only 8km from Liberia, in the Guanacaste region, this family friendly establishment provides clean and comfortable rooms in a convenient location.
Andaz Peninsula Papagayo
The Andaz Peninsula Papagayo is a stunning new resort along the Papagayo Peninsula in Costa Rica. The hotel features naturally inspired architecture and an impressive list of facilities.
Flora & fauna in Guanacaste National Park
The wildlife and plant life you might encounter in Guanacaste National Park, from iconic species to the rare finds our local insiders know where to look for.
Insider-led Costa Rica Design & Concierge
Your insider team designs the trip around what you care about, then supports you in-country with private logistics, vetted partners, and concierge help when plans change.
