Todays journey begins once again on Tamarindo Beach, Costa Rica’s most popular Beach destination and down the Pacific Coast towards the Nicoya Peninsula and Guanacaste’s southern zone which offers many flavors of beaches, from the wild windswept turtle nesting beaches of Ostional to the Health & Wellness rich Nosara and Samara both of which have become meccas for Yoga lodges, wellness retreats and a pronounced spiritual and healing community , Couple that with considerably less developed beach front and a few world class surfing beaches, heading south of Tamarindo is really like taking a walk on Guanacaste’s wild side.
Playa Negra
Tamarindo beach does extend further south if you’re walking, melding into Playa Langosta, a sleepy little beach village featuring a few lovely small hotels right on the beachfront peppered with several rather stunning beachfront Villas and of course The Langosta Beach Club, one of my favorite spots for lunch or dinner or wiling away the afternoon at a table under the palms with several cold Heinekens. I understand that the Beach Club has recently changed management so its hard to say until a revisit if the world class cuisine has maintained the same standards set by Arnaud and his lovely wife. However take heart I just learned that Arnaud has opened the Tamarindo Beach club in the heart of Tamarindo and I cannot wait to get back and sample what I am sure will be a culinary treat.
So trekking to the Southern Guanacaste beaches requires you to jump in the car and come off Tamarindo beach and take the Santa Cruz road heading south. When I arrived 15 years ago this was a rough ride unpaved most of the way and a bumpy treacherous drive during rainy season but in recent years this road as been paved enabling easy access to this dusty farm land that fronts the southern Guanacaste beaches The first sign of civilization heading south towards Nicoya is Hacienda Pinilla which in recent years has seen many more families residing within its borders even though many of the main American schools are a good 20 miles away in Brasilito. Hacienda Pinilla is a huge beach front development that has managed to preserve the untamed backdrop quite nicely and truly has a lot to offer families and vacationers alike principally security and natural beauty situated on one of Costa Rica’s most pristine surf beaches. Of course having a championship seaside golf course helps maintan the property values along with a 4 star hotel
If your dream vacation includes partying at the beach, water sports and the option to get in some fishing, you should book your flight to Costa Rica right now.
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The province of Guanacaste is situated on Costa Rica’s northwest shoulder, bordered by Nicaragua in the north and the Nicoya Peninsula in the south. Growing in popularity, the region’s “Gold Coast” boasts a variety of beautiful beaches and rich culture.
Santa Rosa National Park
Guanacaste Costa Rica’s dry, flat plains merge with tropical dry forests to create landscapes akin to the American “wild west” and African savannas. This region supports Costa Rica’s beef and sugarcane production, and has several national parks and wildlife reserves.
Guanacaste cacti
Costa Rica’s national tree, the Guanacaste, naturally thrives in the region’s arid climate. Cowboys and Campesinos of the cattle-country celebrate the Guanacaste for its abundant shade and the comfort it represents. The region of Guanacaste hasn’t yet forgotten its roots as a ranching area – topes, or rodeos, can be found nearly every weekend night during the summer months (between February and April).
Liberia International Airport
The Daniel Oduber International Airport – one of two international airports in Costa Rica – is located in Guanacaste’s capital city of Liberia. The region’s best resorts and beaches are just an hour away by car.
Discover Top Guanacaste Beaches
Just west of Liberia lies the exclusive Peninsula Papagayo. This region features two of the most luxurious resorts in the country: theAndaz Papagayoand theFour Seasons. The 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course is also situated on the peninsula capturing breathtaking views of the Pacific.
Playa Hermosa
Just south lie the grey-sands of Hermosa Beach which translates to “beautiful beach.” The waters here are generally calm making it a great family vacation spot. The nearby brown sands of Matapalo Beach host the guests of the all-inclusive RIU Guanacaste and RIU Palace which has created a more private resort experience for its visitors
Within Guanacaste Costa Rica is the popular town of Tamarindo which offers impressive restaurants and a bustling nightlife. The beaches of Tamarindoare some of the most popular in Costa Rica. Playa Tamarindo is a popular surfing destination, spread out beside the fast-growing beach town that was once a quiet fishing community, while the neighboring white sands of Langosta Beach are quieter and better suited to swimming.
Conchal Beach
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Further south are the unique Flamingo Beach and Conchal Beach. The pinkish white sand of Flamingo Beach makes up a large section of Potrero Bay. All of the hotels on Flamingo Beach sit on a beautiful cliff overlooking the beach and ocean below. Conchal Beach, as the name suggests, was once composed primarily of crushed seashells, but have since been removed to be utilized in building and construction projects. Nearly all of Conchal Beach backs up to theWestin Playa Conchal Resortcomplex.
Playa Mansita
Further south, Mansita Beach hosts the guests of theJW Marriott Guanacaste. Additionally, JW vacationers enjoy the amenities of Hacienda Pinilla, an exclusive resort and residential community featuring golf, tennis, stables, a beach club, and various dining options.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is famous for Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, it’s active crater, and the active landscape of geysers, mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles surrounding them. Additionally, there are waterfalls, a lake, and wildlife to be found within the park. There are hiking trails within the park. One of the nicest trails within the park is the 1.75-mile Las Pailas loop. It begins at the park entrance and leads you along some of the bubbling landscape. It’s possible to hike up to the summit, but it takes 7 hours for a total of just over 10 miles. Another hike is the La Cangrejo Waterfall and Blue Lake hike which is about 6 miles.
Tenorio Volcano National Park & Rio Celeste Waterfall
The remote Rio Celeste Waterfall is a naturally occurring brilliant turquoise waterfall within Tenorio Volcano National Park. Minerals in the volcanic soil combine to create the waterfall’s beautiful colors attracting travelers from around the world. It’s a roughly tw0-hour hike each way to reach Rio Celeste Waterfall.
Sea Turtle Nesting
The leatherback sea turtle, the largest in the world, returns to Playa Grande each year to bury its eggs in the sand. Sea turtle nesting times can be difficult to predict. Tours generally occur at night and must be organized with a guide to preserve these fragile ecosystems and keep the turtles coming back each year.
Santa Rosa National Park
Established in 1971, Santa Rosa National Park was the first national park in Costa Rica. It was initially founded to preserve La Casona, a ranch house celebrated for its role in Costa Rica’s independence. Today, it’s also known for its dry forest, beautiful beaches, birding, and surf. Sea turtles can also be seen nesting ashore Naranjo and Nancite Beach within the park.Nancite Beachis one of two locations in Costa Rica where Olive Ridley Sea Turtles come to shore for the annual arribadaor mass sea turtle nesting.
Palo Verde National Park Wetlands
Palo Verde National Park is known for its wetlands with a large population of aquatic bird species and its tropical dry forests. This park is remote with over 300 species of tropical birds and alluvial planes from the Tempisque River attracting over 250,000 species of migratory geese, ducks, and other waterfowl. The park also has the only scarlet macaw colony to permanently inhabit a dry forest.
More Guanacaste Attractions & Things To Do:
White Sand Beaches
Surfing
SCUBA Diving
Fishing
Golf
Guanacaste Travel FAQ:
Guancaste is known for its long summer days, cowboy culture, and its unique desert flora and fauna paired with picturesque beaches.
It is mostly dry year-round, but greenest June through November (green season). It can occasionally rain in the afternoons during the green season, and in the dry season might see no rain for several months.
