Costa Rica
09/13/2019 Reading time: 3Minutes
Burbling volcanoes, evergreen jungles , idyllic hilly landscapes and seemingly endless tropical beaches - the province of Guanacaste has it all.
In the northwest of Costa Rica on the border with Nicaragua lies Guanacaste, the country's most popular region for holidaymakers. With an area of 10,140 km², the province is particularly impressive with its more than 700 kilometers of coastline: extensive beaches with white sand and a pleasantly calm, azure blue sea that makes swimming and bathing a relaxing experience. Those who like it a little more lively can visit the beaches of Playa Tamarindo or the charming beach towns of Sámara, Nosara and Santa Teresa. Shellfish lovers, on the other hand, love Playa Conchal. On the Peninsula de Papagayo, one of the most exclusive places in the country, the 24-kilometre-long coastline juts out into the wide Gulf of Papagayo with many small, idyllic bays and dreamlike luxury hotels. Those who prefer solitude can drive in an off-road vehicle along bumpy jungle tracks to secluded natural beaches.
The flora and fauna of this Central American country are incredibly diverse. On a tour through the jungle, you might be lucky enough to spot little monkeys or the funny, black and red frigate birds. In Santa Elena Bay, visitors can watch humpback whales feeding their offspring and manta rays making daring leaps out of the water from December to March. On the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, from October to March, holidaymakers can witness how the large sea turtles bury their eggs in the sand - and also witness the unforgettable event when the little ones hatch from the eggs and crawl towards the Pacific.
There are endless excursion options in this diverse region: breakfast on a platform in the treetops, gliding through the water in a kayak and listening to the sounds of the mangrove forests around you or taking a dip in the hot thermal springs at the foot of a volcano - there is something for everyone here. Guanacaste is also a wonderful place to explore by bike, on foot or on horseback. Guanacaste is an ideal starting point for a visit to one of the many different protected areas and national parks: the Rincón de la Vieja Park, in the middle of which is one of the few active volcanoes in the country, the Palo Verde National Park, where you can observe the many different colorful bird species in the region as well as iguanas and crocodiles, the Santa Rosa National Park, whose tropical dry forest is home to white-tailed deer, mantled howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys. The Guanacaste nature reserve has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An absolute highlight is the Tenorio Volcano National Park, where holidaymakers can encounter various rare bird species as well as monkeys, anteaters, pumas and tapirs. The crowning glory of every visit is the view of the turquoise blue waters of the Rio Celeste.
In Costa Rica there is accommodation to suit all needs and budgets: from family-run guesthouses and luxurious eco-lodges in the middle of nature to charming boutique hotels and elegant five-star wellness resorts, often with an adjoining golf course. The international airport in Liberia, Guanacaste's capital, and numerous small airports in the region as well as well-developed roads ensure easy access.
www.visitcostarica.com
In the northwest of Costa Rica on the border with Nicaragua lies Guanacaste, the country's most popular region for holidaymakers. With an area of 10,140 km², the province is particularly impressive with its more than 700 kilometers of coastline: extensive beaches with white sand and a pleasantly calm, azure blue sea that makes swimming and bathing a relaxing experience. Those who like it a little more lively can visit the beaches of Playa Tamarindo or the charming beach towns of Sámara, Nosara and Santa Teresa. Shellfish lovers, on the other hand, love Playa Conchal. On the Peninsula de Papagayo, one of the most exclusive places in the country, the 24-kilometre-long coastline juts out into the wide Gulf of Papagayo with many small, idyllic bays and dreamlike luxury hotels. Those who prefer solitude can drive in an off-road vehicle along bumpy jungle tracks to secluded natural beaches.
The flora and fauna of this Central American country are incredibly diverse. On a tour through the jungle, you might be lucky enough to spot little monkeys or the funny, black and red frigate birds. In Santa Elena Bay, visitors can watch humpback whales feeding their offspring and manta rays making daring leaps out of the water from December to March. On the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, from October to March, holidaymakers can witness how the large sea turtles bury their eggs in the sand - and also witness the unforgettable event when the little ones hatch from the eggs and crawl towards the Pacific.
There are endless excursion options in this diverse region: breakfast on a platform in the treetops, gliding through the water in a kayak and listening to the sounds of the mangrove forests around you or taking a dip in the hot thermal springs at the foot of a volcano - there is something for everyone here. Guanacaste is also a wonderful place to explore by bike, on foot or on horseback. Guanacaste is an ideal starting point for a visit to one of the many different protected areas and national parks: the Rincón de la Vieja Park, in the middle of which is one of the few active volcanoes in the country, the Palo Verde National Park, where you can observe the many different colorful bird species in the region as well as iguanas and crocodiles, the Santa Rosa National Park, whose tropical dry forest is home to white-tailed deer, mantled howler monkeys and capuchin monkeys. The Guanacaste nature reserve has even been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
An absolute highlight is the Tenorio Volcano National Park, where holidaymakers can encounter various rare bird species as well as monkeys, anteaters, pumas and tapirs. The crowning glory of every visit is the view of the turquoise blue waters of the Rio Celeste.
In Costa Rica there is accommodation to suit all needs and budgets: from family-run guesthouses and luxurious eco-lodges in the middle of nature to charming boutique hotels and elegant five-star wellness resorts, often with an adjoining golf course. The international airport in Liberia, Guanacaste's capital, and numerous small airports in the region as well as well-developed roads ensure easy access.
www.visitcostarica.com
Hotels
