Some of the country’s most exciting destinations to visit are found in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Travelers will find everything from beaches, cities, volcanoes, and rainforests in Guanacaste Province. This post will help you discover the must-visit places to add to your trip itinerary, with advice from someone who has visited multiple times.
This post is all about the best places to visit in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
Guanacaste is one of Costa Rica’s seven provinces and is named after the guanacaste tree, the national tree of the country.
Despite being Costa Rica’s most sparsely populated province, it is also one of its most visited by tourists and most popular with expats. This is due to the number and variety of its attractions. Some of the most popular include sandy beaches along the its Pacific coastline, rainforests, volcanoes, mountains, and cities.
Guanacaste is located in the northwest corner of Costa Rica, and bordered on the north by Nicaragua. Some of its most popular cities and towns for visitors are Tamarindo, Liberia, and Playa Flamingo.
Here are 7 great reasons to visit Guanacaste, Costa Rica on your next trip to the country.
1. Beaches in Guanacaste
With a long shoreline along the coast of the Pacific Ocean, Guanacaste is home to many of the country’s best sandy beaches. There’s a reason Guanacaste is known as the Gold Coast!
Guanacaste’s beaches vary along the coastline, from golden sand to white sand — and even pink sand. A day at the beach, surrounded by Costa Rica’s clear blue waters, is a perfect way to enjoy your vacation.
These are some of the country’s most popular beach destinations:
- Playa Flamingo: This powdery white-sand beach is a great departure point for snorkeling and sport fishing.
- Playa Conchal: This is a special beach because its sand is made up of tiny pink and purple shells!
- Playa Potrero: As one of Guanacaste’s less-developed beaches, Potrero has a laid-back vibe and is great for swimming.
- Playa Hermosa: With calm waters, this beach on Bahía Culebra is a great place for swimming and scuba diving.
- Playa Grande: Leatherback turtles use this protected beach as a nesting site every winter.
2. Resorts in Guanacaste
Some of the best resorts in Costa Rica are in Guanacaste. From large properties to boutique hotels, there is a resort option for everyone.
While some of the resorts in Guanacaste are not all inclusive, they often have some inclusive elements like daily breakfasts, access to equipment for water sports, or fitness classes.
Here are some of the stand-out resorts in Guanacaste:
- Jardin Del Eden Boutique Hotel: This adults-only resort in Tamarindo has beautiful grounds, including a private ocean-front garden.
- Cala Luna Boutique Hotel: This luxury family-owned property has lush green grounds. It’s not all inclusive, but complimentary exercise and yoga classes are offered daily.
- Borinquen Thermal Resort: Located in Guanacaste’s North Pacific region near Rincon de la Vieja, is surrounded by a river and hot springs.
- Bahia Del Sol Beachfront Hotel: Located in quiet Playa Potrero, this beachfront property has everything you want in a large resort but on a smaller and more relaxed property.
- Boutique Hotel Lagarta Lodge: This eco-resort on the Nicoya Peninsula is located on the beach, next to a nature reserve.
3. All-Inclusive Resorts in Guanacaste
In general, Costa Rica isn’t known as an all-inclusive destination. That said, the country does have a selection of all-inclusive resorts for people who prefer that style of travel.
If you’re looking for an all-inclusive option for your trip to Costa Rica, Guanacaste is the place to look. The province is home to most of Costa Rica’s all-inclusive resorts. Some of the biggest names in resort travel are on the list!
These are some of the most popular all-inclusive resorts in Guanacaste:
- Hotel Riu Guanacaste: This five-star resort on Mata Palo Beach has a freshwater pool and a luxury spa.
- Dreams La Mareas Costa Rica: A Hilton property surrounded by the Playa El Jobo rainforest, this resort has activities for guests of all ages.
- The Westin Reserve Conchal: This large property is a great choice for fitness fans, with tennis courts, an exercise studio, and a golf course.
- Margaritaville Beach Resort Playa Flamingo: For a property that somehow mixes a laid-back vibe with a party atmosphere, this resort makes it easy to enjoy a variety of outdoor activities.
- Villas Playa Samara Beach Front All-Inclusive Resort: This stylish resort with oceanfront gardens is the perfect choice if you’re planning a destination wedding in Costa Rica.
4. Hotels in Guanacaste
If you prefer a smaller property, Guanacaste is also home to many beautiful hotels. These include both international chains and family-owned properties.
Whatever your budget and travel needs, you can find a great hotel in Guanacaste. The province offers boutique hotels, eco-friendly hotels, remote-worker hotels, and many others!
Here are some of the most popular hotels in Guanacaste:
- Harmony Hotel: Located in Nosara, this eco-friendly hotel surrounded by native gardens has a healing centre offering spa treatments and yoga classes.
- Selina Tamarindo: This Selina property is focused on digital nomads but guests of all ages are welcome to stay and enjoy its laid-back, vibrant atmosphere.
- Rancho Humo Estancia: Located on a private reserve on the Nicoya Peninsula, Rancho Humo incorporates multiple ecosystems with a focus on sustainable development.
- Rio Perdito Hotel and Thermal River: Framed by a dwarf forest, guests at this inland property can enjoy natural hot springs, hiking, mountain biking, and ziplining.
- Azul Hotel and Retreat: This stylish beachfront villa offers world-class dining, thoughtful spa treatments, and access to the surrounding wildlife and natural environments.
5. Weather in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Guanacaste’s warm, tropical climate is one of its biggest attractions for visitors. And no matter when you visit, you can enjoy warm temperatures all year round!
The climate in Guanacaste varies depending on the location and time of year. However, you can find great weather throughout the province at any time of year.
Here is a general overview of the weather in Guanacaste by season:
- Spring: The dry season begins to end in April and May, which means you can visit before the rainy season kicks in.
- Summer: This is the wet season in Guanacaste, which means more rain but also a lush, green landscape.
- Autumn: The rainy season begins to end in late fall, around November, which means this is a great time to visit — you’ll see the greenery of the wet season with less rain.
- Winter: Winter marks the beginning of Guanacaste’s dry season, which means clear, sunny skies and hot temperatures.
6. Airport in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport, or Liberia Guanacaste Airport, is one of four international airports in Costa Rica and is located in Guanacaste Province. If you’re visiting Guanacaste, odds are good your trip will begin at the Liberia International Airport.
After renovations, the airport is modern and offers a variety of amenties. These include shopping, a duty-free store, currency exchange, a cafe, and restaurants. Also, the airport’s location on the outskirts of Liberia means flying in or out is a great opportunity to visit the city.
These are a few of the major airlines serviced by Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport:
- Air Canada
- American Airlines
- Delta Air Lines
- JetBlue
- KLM
- Southwest Airlines
- United Airlines
- WestJet
And these cities are some of the leading international destinations to and from Liberia Guanacaste Airport:
- Houston, United States
- Toronto, Canada
- Atlanta, United States
- Calgary, Canada
- Montreal, Canada
- Los Angeles, United States
- New York City, United States
- London, United Kingdom
- Panama City, Panama
7. Things to Do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
The gorgeous landscape is one of the best reasons to visit, but the many things you can do in Guanacaste is another!
With a wide variety of landscapes to enjoy, every visitor will find activities to enjoy in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. People of all ages can find a tour or activity to fit their interests and abilities.
Here are a few of the best attractions in Guanacaste:
- Fishing: With everything from shallow bays to deep-sea waters, Costa Rica is a premiere fishing destination for all kinds of anglers.
- Surfing: Guanacaste is home to some of the world’s most popular surfing destinations for surfers of all levels of experience, from complete beginners to adventurous experts.
- Yoga: Guanacaste’s rainforests and Pacific coastline are popular destinations for yoga enthusiasts, who come for retreats, lessons, and teacher training.
- Wildlife: Costa Rica is one of the most biologically diverse countries in the world! You can take tours to see sea turtles, sloths, birds, reptiles, manta rays, and many more.
- Ziplining: Ziplines are a popular attraction in Monteverde, which is on the edge of Guanacaste Province. However, visitors can go ziplining at several locations throughout the province.
This post outlined seven of the best reasons to visit Guanacaste, Costa Rica on your next visit to the country!
