Guanacaste Province is among the hottest locations in Costa Rica. Identified for its spectacular seashores alongside the pristine Pacific shoreline, it attracts seashore lovers from across the nation and abroad.
Located within the far northwest nook of Costa Rica, Guanacaste is bordered by Nicaragua to the north and the Nicoya Peninsula to the south, with its lengthy shoreline also known as the “Gold Coast.”
With a sunny local weather virtually all yr spherical, it’s the final seashore vacation spot in Costa Rica for these looking for sunshine and good seashore vibes. The province can also be house to a lot of volcanoes, together with UNESCO World Heritage Websites, like Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park.
We’ve referred to as the province of Guanacaste our second house for a few years. Max has grown up right here, and we’ve spent the final 10 years visiting the vacation spot continuously. We’ve explored all corners of Guanacaste, Costa Rica and have loads of information to share!
There are many issues to do in Guanacaste, with beach-related actions starting from snorkeling to kayaking, browsing and sundown cruise crusing. On land, you possibly can get pleasure from horseback using, yoga, ziplining and soaking in sizzling springs. There actually is an countless number of issues to see and do in Guanacaste.
We will’t wait to share our tackle the perfect issues to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
However first, just a few logistical questions…
Finest Time to Go to Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Of all of the provinces in Costa Rica, Guanacaste has one of many driest climates, with loads of sunshine all yr spherical. If you go to will extremely rely upon what you wish to see and do there.
Dry Season
Most vacationers go to through the typical “dry season”, which runs from December till April. From Could till November, it’s technically thought-about the wet season in a lot of the nation, however in Guanacaste, showers are largely restricted and solely within the late afternoon and night.
The months from August till March are thought-about the perfect time for viewing sea turtles, particularly once they come ashore for nesting and hatching.
Dry season in Guanacaste
Inexperienced Season
The wet or inexperienced season from Could till November can also be thought-about a few of the greatest diving months, as nutrient swells entice greater marine life. It’s additionally rather a lot quieter at the moment, so that you’ll doubtless have the water to your self. In any other case, diving could be skilled all yr spherical, with comparatively good visibility at locations like Playa Flamingo.
Lush greenery of Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park through the wet season
Finest Issues to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
1. Discover Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Whereas not as generally visited as different nationwide parks in Costa Rica, Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park is among the many most underrated. Residence to an energetic volcano about an hour northeast of Liberia, it types a part of the UNESCO World Heritage Website generally known as the Guanacaste Conservation Space.
Rincon de la Vieja is one among Costa Rica’s solely dry tropical forests, and it’s stuffed with mountaineering trails, pure sizzling springs, mud swimming pools, and waterfalls. With so many issues to do in Rincon de la Vieja, we suggest spending greater than a day there.
We additionally suggest a sizzling springs day journey to Rio Negro Scorching Springs, which is technically simply exterior of the nationwide park. You may keep on the well-known Resort Hacienda Guachipelin, which is correct subsequent to the recent springs and shut sufficient to the nationwide park for day journeys.
Alongside the path in Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Boiling mud pots at Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Rio Negro Waterfall, Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
Oropendola Waterfall, Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park
2. Go Sports activities Fishing in Playa Flamingo
Playa Flamingo is among the greatest seashores in Guanacaste. Situated near Tamarindo, the seashore is characterised by pure white sand and the bluest of water. Whereas most individuals merely head to Playa Flamingo to loosen up on the sand and discover the seashore city, we extremely suggest a visit to do some sports activities fishing.
Whether or not you go for inshore fishing or a deep-sea fishing constitution, Playa Flamingo Marina is a well-liked place to begin for fishing journeys in Guanacaste. From the shore, you possibly can look out for plenty of Tuna, Mackerel, Jacks, Snapper, Rooster fish, Snook, and Sea bass. Whereas, for an offshore journey, you’ll have the prospect to catch greater species, together with Wahoo, Sailfish, Mahi Mahi, Marlin, and Yellowfin Tuna.
Playa Flamingo from above
3. View Sea Turtles in Playa Grande
As one of many largest nesting websites for leatherback sea turtles on this planet, Playa Grande is among the most unimaginable ecological safety tales in Costa Rica. Locals of the world referred to as for the seashore to be named a Nationwide Park in 1991 and have taken nice delight in defending the endangered turtles ever since. Now, the seashore is a part of the Marino Las Baulas Nationwide Park, and it’s probably the greatest locations to see turtles in Central America.
Nesting season runs from October till March, when the light giants weighing as much as 700 kilos (1,540 lbs) are available in to nest and lay their eggs. Hatching then happens round April by way of Could. To assist defend the endangered turtles, the seashore is barely accessible within the daytime in order that the turtles are usually not disturbed in a single day. You may be part of turtle-watching excursions which permit for a safer and extra insightful possibility.
Las Baulas Nationwide Marine Park, Playa Grande, Costa Rica
4. Go Scuba Diving in Las Catalinas Islands (from Playas del Coco)
Costa Rica is house to a few of the greatest diving in Central America. You may dive each within the Pacific and Caribbean components of the nation, however out of all of the diving spots in Costa Rica, we liked our time scuba diving in Las Catalinas off the coast of Papagayo Peninsula.
This island chain consists of small rocky islands which might be fully uninhabited, except for the unimaginable marine life. Whereas diving there, you’ll discover many underwater rock formations, comparable to caves and arches. Plus, a particular resident of the Catalina Islands is the big Manta Ray, which may develop as much as 3,000 lbs and have a wingspan of 23 ft. You may additionally spot eagle rays, turtles, dolphins, and moray eels.
A number of years in the past, we spent a day scuba diving with Deep Blue Diving, from Playas del Coco. The boat took simply 45 minutes to achieve the islands. As there are sturdy currents, we’d say that is positively not for rookies, and is essentially the most appropriate for divers with earlier scuba diving expertise.
Catalinas Island, Costa Rica
Diving in Las Catalinas
5. Hit the Surf
Browsing is among the greatest issues to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. Whereas it’s a preferred pastime throughout the nation, Guanacaste’s entry to so many stunning seashores makes it a hotspot for browsing. Tamarindo on the Pacific Coast is probably the preferred spot of all of them.
Yow will discover a lot of the greatest browsing spots simply north and south of Tamarindo. This makes the city the perfect place to base your self for a browsing journey. North of city, you may have Playa Grande, a beach-breaking wave, providing rights and lefts to surfers of all ranges. Additional north, you may have Playa Hermosa, one of many solely official World Browsing Reserves in Central America.
South of Playa Tamarindo, Playa Avellana and Playa Negra, each provide a extra low-key surf spot for each rookies and consultants. Nevertheless, if you wish to go the place all of the locals head, then a visit as much as Witches Rock of Playa Naranjo in Santa Rosa Nationwide Park is a should. It’s recognized for persistently sturdy breaks and a big rock formation simply off of the shoreline that the locals have dubbed “Witch’s Rock”.
Every day surf at Playa Avellanas
6. Go to Playa Conchal
Situated only a stone’s throw from Flamingo Seaside, Playa Conchal is separated from Playa Brasilito by a rocky headland. The seashore will get its identify from the tens of millions of tiny shells that make up the shoreline as a substitute of sand. Whereas not as simply accessible as different seashores, it’s price making the stroll all the way down to the seashore from Playa Brasilito, to benefit from the shell seashore and its crystal clear waters.
In the event you’re searching for the proper romantic splurge, then it’s additionally house to Reserva Conchal, a luxurious 5-Star Marriott Resort Resort that gives personal entry to Playa Conchal.
Playa Conchal, Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Westin Reserva Conchal Resort is the closest resort to Playa Conchal
7. Go Ziplining at Diamante Eco Journey Park
Among the best day journeys from Playa del Coco is to go to Diamante Eco Journey Park. Situated simply half an hour south of Playa del Coco Seaside, this enormous journey park is a enjoyable method to discover the pure sights alongside the coast. They provide a number of thrilling actions all in at some point, comparable to horseback using, nature walks, ziplining, kayaking, stand-up paddleboarding, and an animal sanctuary.
The zipline particularly is a must-do, providing the longest experience instances and that includes an almost mile-long ocean view line Superman-style. Additionally included is a 30-foot free fall Fast Leap. The twin strains imply you possibly can select to share the expertise with your pals, using aspect by aspect.
8. Hand around in Tamarindo
Tamarindo might be one of many hottest seashore cities on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. It’s ideally positioned proper within the middle of the Guanacaste Coast, making it an ideal place to discover and use as a base for getting round to close by seashores.
There’s loads of issues to do in Tamarindo. Tamarindo Seaside itself is a well-liked spot for kayaking, SUPing, taking a surf lesson or becoming a member of a sundown cruise. There are additionally a great deal of nice eating places, accommodations, and retailers, so you possibly can simply relax and spend your time resting in between excursions.
It’s positively some of the visited spots in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, so it might get actually buzzing through the excessive season over December till April.
Tamarindo from above
Prepared for SUP!
Tamarindo, Costa Rica
Tamarindo Seaside
9. Escape the Crowds in Playa Avellanas
In the event you’re prepared to flee the crowds of Tamarindo, then we suggest heading to Playa Avellanas. This laidback city is positioned simply 20km south of Tamarindo Seaside, however is house to its very personal stunning seashore, which many native Costa Ricans’ typically declare as their favorite.
It’s a little bit off the radar from vacationers, which implies there’s not a lot occurring within the small beachfront village. You’ll discover only a handful of eating places and trip leases, so it’s the proper place to unwind for just a few days away from the hustle and bustle. It’s additionally an ideal surf sport, however there are many different nice issues to do in Playa Avellanas too, comparable to SUPing, kayaking, and venturing out to close by wildlife reserves.
Playa Avellanas
10. Take a Yoga Class in Playa Negra or Nosara
Simply south of Playa Avellanas, you’ll discover one other laidback spot at Playa Negra. This seashore city is barely accessible by way of filth roads, making it ultimate for a dry season go to, but it surely additionally implies that it’s far much less busy than different cities within the province.
One in every of our favorite issues to do in Playa Negra is benefit from the wellness actions on provide. One of many greatest yoga retreats in Costa Rica is hosted by the Peace Retreat Heart in Playa Negra. And even if you happen to don’t wish to be part of their retreats, you possibly can pop into their drop-in every day yoga courses.
Playa Negra Yoga is another choice for drop-in courses. They provide barre yoga of their studio on the town and vinyasa yoga on Playa Negra seashore. One other huge yoga hub in Guanacaste is Nosara Seaside. The city began out as a quiet fishing village, it’s now house to a few of the greatest yoga retreats in Guanacaste.
11. Witness the Arribada in Playa Ostional
Probably the most unimaginable pure phenomena to see with your personal eyes once you go to Guanacaste is the arribada. That means “arrival” in Spanish, the arribada is when a whole bunch (generally 1000’s) of Olive Ridley sea turtles come to shore to put their eggs.
You may witness these light giants crawl onto land and depart their future child turtles behind each month at Playa Ostional. This occasion happens in higher numbers through the nesting season, which runs by way of the wet season between August – December.
Guests to the Ostional Wildlife Refuge can witness the arribada and get an opportunity to snap shut up pictures of a sea turtle, with guided excursions out there. Witnessing the arribada was positively one of many highlights of our time to Guanacaste.
Turtles arrival throughout “Arribada” on Ostional Seaside
12. Go to Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park & Rio Celeste
Among the best issues to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is to go to a volcano. Whether or not you head to Rincon de la Vieja volcano (talked about above) or Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park, you’ll be amazed on the unimaginable and various surroundings in these parks.
We have been pleasantly shocked by our go to to Tenorio Volcano Nationwide Park, a substitute for the extra well-known Monteverde Cloud Forest. Situated about 2 hours away from Liberia Worldwide Airport, we traveled to Bijagua, simply on the border with Alajuela Province.
From there we explored Rio Celeste Waterfall, La Laguna Azul and the recent springs at Los Borbollones, totally on foot on numerous mountaineering trails. The unimaginable pure wonders within the park make it well worth the first rate drive to get there. With the sunshine blue river and volcanic sizzling springs, this spot has lately grow to be Insta-famous!
Rio Celeste Waterfall at Tenorio Nationwide Park
13. Discover Caves in Barra Honda Nationwide Park
Barra Honda Nationwide Park types a part of the Tempisque Conservation Space, positioned about 12 km from the Tempisque River. Simply northeast of Nicoya, this Nationwide Park is characterised by an underground system of caves with stalactite and stalagmite formations. Above floor, you’ll discover a dry tropical forest, uniquely completely different from the rain forest and cloud forests round most of Costa Rica.
The caves of Barra Honda could be visited year-round, ideally with a caving tour. For this, you need to be on the ranger station between 8 am and 1 pm for the 3-4 hour mountaineering and caving tour. In any other case, there’s additionally an ideal community of trails to discover the tropical dry forests on foot, with maps out there on the ranger station.
14. Go Horseback Using in Nosara or Rincon de la Vieja
Probably the most iconic issues to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, is to go horseback using both on the seashore or within the jungle. Small cities in Guanacaste, like Nosara, or Playa Avellanas, are a few of the greatest spots for a horseback using journey.
One other in style spot for a horseback experience is in Rincon de la Vieja Nationwide Park. Right here you’ll experience by way of forest trails to Oropendola Waterfall and go to sizzling springs.
Horseback experience on a seashore in Nosara
15. Take a Boat Tour in Palo Verde Nationwide Park
Situated alongside the banks of the Tempisque River, the Palo Verde Nationwide Park is one other in style vacation spot to go to in Guanacaste. Many of the park is roofed by attention-grabbing wetlands, housing many various chook species, together with migratory birds, such because the scarlet macaw (Ara macao), jabiru (Jabiru mycteria), long-tailed manakin (Criroxiphia liniaris), caracaras (Polyborus plancus), gray herons (Casmerodis albus) and nice curassow (Crax rubra). There are additionally over 750 species of crops discovered contained in the park.
One of the best ways to go to the park is on a ship tour by way of the wetlands and mangroves. Palo Verde Boat Excursions run 90-minute boat journeys, with a conventional native lunch, from Ortega Village.
16. Discover Santa Rosa Nationwide Park
One of many largest nationwide parks in Costa Rica, Santa Rosa Nationwide Park spans throughout the far north of the province, simply north of Liberia airport. Situated proper subsequent door to Guanacaste Nationwide Park, collectively it protects a few of the final remaining tropical dry forest on this planet. Crammed with loads of pure magnificence and wildlife, the nationwide park is house to monkeys, peccaries, coyotes, coatimundis, tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, armadillo, deer, and completely different types of land and sea turtles.
There are two necessary Olive Ridley sea turtles nesting seashores in Santa Rosa, Naranjo and Nancite, making it an ideal place to see them nesting and hatching. Naranjo can also be a well-known browsing spot, as talked about above, with a campground there to service all of the locals and guests alike who come looking for huge waves.
Guanacaste is the place we spend nearly all of our time once we go to Costa Rica. The area has a lot to supply guests – from stunning seashores to scuba diving off the Pacific coast and mountaineering amongst energetic volcanoes, there are many issues to see and do.