Guanacaste
With a total of 5,921 sq. miles and more than 400 miles of coast line, the Guanacaste tourism area comprises the Pacific Coast area from the border of Nicaragua to the Bongo River estuary in the Nicoya Peninsula. This tourism area is home to a very important section of Costa Rica’s cultural and natural heritage.
The incomparable beauty of its landscapes, which ranges from tropical dry forests to lowland mountain forests, its warm climate, as well as its flourishing nature have made Guanacaste one of the most heavily visited areas by locals as well as international tourists and is one of the most developed areas because of its high level of investment in the hotel industry that is in high demand. It also relies on important support by the Tourism Development Center of the Gulf of Papagayo and also relies on the Daniel Oduber International Airport through which arrive a number of charter and commercial flights from the United States.
There are two commercial centers located in the northern area: Liberia and Santa Cruz, which, in turn, are linked with five important tourism development centers: Papagayo, El Coco, Flamingo, Conchal, and Tamarindo. In the southern area, the commercial center is Nicoya with Samara being the development center.
Things to Do
Beaches All along the Guanacaste coastline are a number of beaches where you can swim in their warm Pacific Ocean waters. The coastal landscape is exceptional. There is an array of white-sand beaches and calm, intense-blue waters.
Farallon National Monument Located on Las Lomas estate, “El Farallon” is an enormous rock wall, 60 ft. long, and full of indigenous engravings, which was declared a National Monument in 1998. The petroglyphs, according to studies, were created by indigenous people in 800 B.C.
Cañas Cañas is 282 ft. above sea level and home to the Corobici River, which is a favorite among adventurous tourists and naturalists. The Pelado Volcano and “El Farallon” archeological site are also located in Cañas.
Liberia, Liberia, Costa Rica serves as a gateway to the country’s stunning beaches and national parks. The city of Liberia is a great starting point to tour some of the areas that make Guanacaste truly remarkable. Jetting there gets you into the heart of the Guanacaste province, just over an hour’s drive from the waves of Tamarindo and about the same from the western banks of Lake Arenal. As a bustling urban center, Liberia offers modern amenities and radiates traditional charm.
Plan Your Visit
Getting Here Arrive at Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) (also known as the San José International Airport) which is around a 3-hour drive from the Guanacaste provincial border. You shouldn’t have any shortage of buses or private shuttle options from the capital after you jet in or pass through while connecting from other major destinations further south and east.
The Liberia Guanacaste Airport (LIR) offers another convenient option as it’s located just about a 35-minute taxi ride from the beaches or about 25 minutes from Guanacaste’s vibrant capital city of Liberia. Now the second-largest airport in the country, the Liberia Guanacaste Airport has a range of long-haul links from Europe and North America, including popular seasonal connections from Zurich, London, and Los Angeles.
Lodging & Rest Where you stay in Guanacaste will depend on where you choose to go. But there are some eco lodges, all-inclusive resorts, and hotels that we keep going back to because we think they offer something unique and unforgettable.