Guanacaste is a province in Costa Rica.
- Playas del Coco.
- Abangares.
- Liberia. — Guanacaste's main city, home to the international airport
- Nicoya.
- Nosara.
- Paraiso.
- Tamarindo.
- Tilarán.
- Brasilito.
- Potrero.
- Sámara.
- Playa Carrillo.
- Playa Grande.
Playas del Coco.
Abangares.
Liberia. — Guanacaste's main city, home to the international airport
Nicoya.
Nosara.
Paraiso.
Tamarindo.
Tilarán.
Brasilito.
Potrero.
Sámara.
Playa Carrillo.
Playa Grande.
- Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, Volcano National Park, 17 km north of Liberia
- Parque Santa Rosa, almost in Nicaragua on the west side of the Panamerican Highway
- Tenorio Volcano National Park
- The Area de Conservación Guanacaste — a UNESCO World Heritage site
Guanacaste covers the majority of the territory of Northern Pacific region, whose climatic conditions of a season with no rainfall, warmness and blue sky has been created the Tropical Dry Forest, a forest of plants and animals adapted to the drought from December to May. This is the habitat of the Howler Monkey, the Black Iguana, the White-throated Magpie-Jay and the Turquoise-browed Motmot.
The Area de Conservación Guanacaste — a [[UNESCO World Heritage site]]
As this region is covered by dry tropical forest, this makes it quite popular among tourists looking to escape the humidity found in most of Central America. There are many all inclusive resorts in this area, served by one of Costa Rica's two international airports in Liberia. For a plethora of information about Guanacaste, visit the online resource centre for the province.
This region offers a wide variety of activities, such as world class surfing and sport fishing along with volcano tours and horse country. It is famous for its fine and vibrant fiestas. Guanacaste is a tropical desert and you will see a great change of seasons here from the hot and dry to the wet and windy. It makes this part of Costa Rica so desirable with tourists and expats alike.
Guanacaste has everything an adventurous traveler would want to do while on vacation. There are beaches, volcanoes, cloud forests, jungles, rivers, and waterfalls, where you can participate in a vast assortment of adventure and activities: whitewater rafting, canopy/zip line tours, horseback riding, deep sea fishing, crocodile tours, snorkeling, scuba diving, ATV/motorcycle/off-road tours, mountain biking, rock climbing, turtle nesting tours, sailing, volcano tours, tubing, horseback riding, canyoneering, trekking, surfing lessons and surf tours. One of the top attractions is Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, famous for its abundant volcanic activity and diverse wild life. Sportfishing in Costa Rica is legendary, and many fishing charters operate from ports in the Guanacaste, like Playa Flamingo, Playa Coco and Playa Tamarindo. Naturally fed hot springs relax and invite. And world-class golf has arrived in Guanacaste as well, with the arrival of the Four Seasons, Paradisus Playa Conchal and Hacienda Pinilla resorts. Scuba dive the Catalina Islands or snorkel Playa Conchal and see the abundance of sea life that Costa Rica has to offer.
Guanacaste's beaches are famous as surfing destinations and have been since Playa Negra was featured in the movie Endless Summer II. The surf breaks in Playa Negra and Tamarindo in northwest Guanacaste have made that area a magnet for visitors and investors alike. Despite the region's wild popularity, there is still plenty of surf spots for you to discover. Guided surf tours are available for anyone looking to explore the Guanacaste waves. Guanacaste Province has a variety of surfing spots for all levels of ability, from beginner to pro. The long peeling point breaks, peaky beach breaks and hollow reef breaks and consistent swell make this area of Costa Rica a surfer's paradise.
Gallo Pinto (literally 'spotted rooster') is the national dish of rice and beans. You haven't visited Costa Rica till you've had it - with breakfast, lunch or dinner.
Local cervezas (beers) are Imperial and Pilsen. Both are worth a try! There is also Rock Ice (regular, lemon and ginseng) and Bavaria (regular, dark and light).
A "safe" area, but don't leave anything valuable in your car. Obey all speed limits posted. Fines can be as much as a US$1000.
Just south of Guanacaste along the Pacific Coast is the surfer's paradise of the Nicoya Peninsula.