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Guanacaste, Costa Rica

With sun-splashed beaches and great Pacific surf, Costa Rica's northwestern province of Guanacaste teems with visitors from around the globe. The region's dry tropical climate encompasses a varied landscape. Popular white-sand beaches line the coast, and to the east, the Guanacaste Mountains feature fascinating national parks and caldera volcanoes. Travelers of every type can enjoy Guanacaste's myriad of activities, and Liberia's international airport (LIR) provides excellent regional access.

Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
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Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
Guanacaste Costa Rica
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Guanacaste's hot, dry climate makes the region a popular escape for those suffering cold winter months in the northern latitudes. Its white-sand coast is often regarded as one of Costa Rica's most beautiful, and the beaches offer many accommodations. Visitors to the region can take surf lessons and enjoy an active nightlife at the regional hub of Tamarindo; embark on an arduous volcano hike and explore refreshing waterfalls at Rincon de la Vieja National Park; or enjoy a day of relaxation and reading on the glamorous Playa Conchal. These activities are among many fantastic options in the Guanacaste area.

Guanacaste Province contains diverse geographical features. Separating the sandy coastal land from mountainous terrain along Guanacaste's border, the Tempisque River flows from north to south and bisects the Province. In the Guanacaste Mountains to the east, a range of jagged peaks and volcanoes span 70 miles (113 km) northwest to southeast. These mountains house a collection of national parks: Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja, Parque Nacional Guanacaste, and Parque Nacional Volcano Tenorio. The Tilaran Mountains enclose Guanacaste along the southeast. Beginning at the south end of Lake Arenal, the Tilaran Mountains extend toward the Pacific coast, leaving only a small bottleneck of coastal lowland. At this bottleneck, the Inter-American Highway runs north of Puntarenas and into Guanacaste. It provides seamless travel to most of Guanacaste's attractions. Side roads from the Inter-American explore the tropical forest as it ascends into surrounding highlands. The forest gives refuge to exotic flora and fauna including an abundance of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and toucans.

Historically, Guanacaste has been estranged from the rest of Costa Rica. During early pre-Columbian times, the indigenous Chorotega dominated the province; this fact is reflected in the dark skin and round faces of many modern Guanacatecans. The province has also been the focus of much politicking; it was once annexed by Nicaragua. Although Costa Rica won the dispute and claimed the province, Guanacaste retains a distinct identity to this day.

The region is a huge hit with visitors in search of internationally famed beaches. As a result, many of its sleepy fishing towns have continued to undergo rapid transition. New resort developments extend south from the Gulf of Papagayo in a seemingly endless expanse of beachside accommodations. Some accommodations offer unrivaled luxury, and while such high-end development may seem paradoxical in the developing world, this has been the fate for much of Guanacaste's coastline. The massive Gulf of Papagayo Project, for example, aims to develop 2,300 coastal acres (930 ha), and it has catalyzed construction of large resort complexes, hotels, condos, and exclusive villas from Culebra Bay to the beaches of Panama and Coco. With a huge influx of foreign residents and tourists, the wide-ranging affluence can at times bear more resemblance to Cancun than typical Costa Rica.

Recent decades of development have also transformed the once sleepy hamlet of Tamarindo into a thriving regional hub well known for its bustling nightlife. As Guanacaste's largest coastal town, Tamarindo is frequented by foreigners from North America and Europe. With a large white-sand beach and nearby conservation areas (National Wildlife Refuge of Tamarindo and Marino Las Baulas National Park,) Tamarindo is a favorite among tourists who want to observe the local wildlife and beach-goers who seek to enjoy Costa Rica's surf.

Guanacaste's largest town, Liberia, serves as the regional economic and administrative capital. Home to the nation's second international airport, Liberia is a main access point for many incoming visitors from abroad. Accordingly, Liberia continues to undergo major transformations, similar to those of the Guanacaste coast. Due to its close proximity to Pacific beaches and surrounding national parks, Liberia provides an ideal stopover point for visitors who want to experience every facet of the Guanacaste region.

Where to go in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Tamarindo, Costa RicaTamarindo, Costa Rica
Tenorio Volcano Area, Costa RicaTenorio Volcano Area, Costa Rica
Playa Hermosa Guanacaste, Costa RicaPlaya Hermosa Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Rincon de la Vieja, Costa RicaRincon de la Vieja, Costa Rica
Playa Grande, Costa RicaPlaya Grande, Costa Rica
Playa Flamingo, Costa RicaPlaya Flamingo, Costa Rica
Playa Avellana, Costa RicaPlaya Avellana, Costa Rica
Playa Potrero, Costa RicaPlaya Potrero, Costa Rica
Papagayo Gulf, Costa RicaPapagayo Gulf, Costa Rica
Liberia, Costa RicaLiberia, Costa Rica
Playa Negra, Costa RicaPlaya Negra, Costa Rica
Playa Panama, Costa RicaPlaya Panama, Costa Rica
Playa Del Coco, Costa RicaPlaya Del Coco, Costa Rica
Bahia Salinas, Costa RicaBahia Salinas, Costa Rica
Playa Conchal, Costa RicaPlaya Conchal, Costa Rica
Brasilito Beach, Costa RicaBrasilito Beach, Costa Rica
Playa Lagarto, Costa RicaPlaya Lagarto, Costa Rica
Matapalo Guanacaste, Costa RicaMatapalo Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Playa Azul, Costa RicaPlaya Azul, Costa Rica
Playa Junquillal, Costa RicaPlaya Junquillal, Costa Rica
Tenorio & Miravalles Protected Zone, Costa RicaTenorio & Miravalles Protected Zone, Costa Rica
Palo Verde National Park, Costa RicaPalo Verde National Park, Costa Rica
Corobici River, Costa RicaCorobici River, Costa Rica
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Key Attractions

Corobici RiverPalo VerdeRincon de la Vieja National ParkRio CelesteSanta Rosa National ParkTenorio & Miravalles Protected Zone

Key Destinations

BagacesBahia SalinasLiberiaMatapalo GuanacasteOcotalPalo VerdePapagayo GulfPlaya ConchalPlaya del CocoPlaya FlamingoPlaya Grande GuanacasteRincon de La ViejaTamarindoTenorio Volcano Area
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