The Pacific coastline mixes with tropical dry forests, rural towns, and volcano-fueled hot springs in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province, located in the northwest region of the country. Inland, the Rincón de la Vieja National Park boasts hiking trails, picturesque waterfalls, and mineral hot springs and mud baths. You will find things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest Costa Rica like horseback riding, ziplining tours, and wildlife-spotting opportunities, while the coast provides prime waves for surfing at Tamarindo and Hermosa beaches.
Guanacaste is best visited in the dry season, which runs roughly from December through the middle of May. This is also the most popular time to visit, so expect to pay a premium on lodging. The early months of the rainy season offer good value for your money, especially since most of the rainfall occurs in the afternoon. However, hiking trails in the region can get muddy in the rainy months.
The best way to get around Guanacaste and the Northwest is to rent a car or hire the services of a taxi driver. If you’re on a strict budget, you might want to stick to taking the local bus. If you plan on taking a day trip to nearby Nicaragua, you’re best off joining a guided tour, as most rental companies don’t want you taking their vehicles across the border.
At first glance, El Callejero Food Truck—with its garage door entryway and location next to a car battery store—looks more like an auto repair shop than one of the best burger spots in Liberia. But looks can be deceiving and inside you’ll find wooden picnic tables carefully arranged along manicured, pebble-lined pathways and oversized fairy lights suspended from a canopy of trees overhead.
Attractions 19 | Tours 1,476 | Reviews 29,617 |
Tropical forests meet beautiful beaches in Guanacaste, a Costa Rican province famed for its biodiversity and natural beauty. Its expansive grasslands lie between volcanoes and the sea. Conservation areas such as Palo Verde National Park and Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve provide essential habitats for birds, butterflies, and sloths.
...MoreMost visitors go to northwestern Costa Rica to experience its spectacular natural beauty, whether they’re lounging on Papagayo Beach, paddling into Tamarindo surf breaks, or hiking the Monteverde cloud forest. Birdwatching, hiking, and wildlife tours are top things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest Costa Rica, as is horseback riding through national parks such as Rincon de la Vieja and Santa Rosa.
...MoreA week is enough to get a taste of Guanacaste parks and beaches. First, spend several days inland, spotting birds and wildlife in a conservation area such as the Rincon de la Vieja volcano complex or Santa Rosa National Park. Next, head to the coast for some well-earned sun and sand.
...MoreThe most popular tourist activities and things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest Costa Rica all revolve around the natural world. It is one of Costa Rica’s top destinations for walking and horseback riding. Many travelers seek out birds, butterflies, and wildlife including sloths. On the scenic Pacific coast, beaches are for swimming, surfing, and watching yearly sea turtle hatches.
...MoreTamarindo Beach, located on the Nicoya Peninsula, is Guanacaste’s top tourist attraction and is among Costa Rica’s most popular destinations. This laid-back surf town has an energetic party scene, but the shoreline itself is the real draw. Here, golden sand lights up at sunset, and surfers make the most of rolling swells from the Pacific.
...MoreYes, Guanacaste is considered safe for tourists. While petty crime does occur, the Costa Rican government invests additional security resources in areas where travelers congregate. Since nature is a major draw, it’s essential to follow basic precautions—keep your distance from wildlife, stay on hiking trails, and follow local weather advisories.
...More
