The boiling Guanacaste
The province of Guanacaste is renowned for its arid climate from December to April, its paradisiacal beaches as far as the eye can see and its exuberant marine wildlife. While seaside destinations such as Tamarindo and Sámara cater to a growing tourist demand, the region has also developed around rural and community tourism in more remote areas such as Cuajiniquil or Matambú, ideal stops for discovering the true local culture.
A protected Pacific coast
Between the Marino Las Baulas, Santa Rosa, Ostional and Camaronal protected areas (to name but the largest in the region), over 70 kilometers of coastline are preserved in Guanacaste. Many threatened or endangered species have found refuge here, including Kemp's ridley turtles and humpback whales. Finally, some forty beaches awarded the “Ecological Blue Flag Program” attest to the commitment of local communities to preserving the environment.
Ideal for wellness tourism...
Some Guanacaste locations, such as Nosara, are internationally renowned for their spiritual retreats. Combined with the invigorating experience of a volcanic mud bath and thermal waters in the heart of the rainforest, the practice of yoga is a common way to recharge one's batteries during a stay in Costa Rica. The bonus: memorable sunsets over the Pacific.
... and adventure!
When it comes to thrills, Guanacaste has nothing to envy the country's other provinces. Water sports enthusiasts, for example, can enjoy kitesurfing in Selinas Bay or surfing around the famous Witch's Rock, as well as diving or kayaking to discover the marine biodiversity. If you prefer to stay on the mainland, you can enjoy hiking and horseback riding, as well as more extreme sports such as rafting and canyoning.
Tropical dry forests
Typical of the Nicoya Peninsula, you don't have to go far from the coastal tourist towns to find yourself immersed in a dense tropical dry forest. While the Guanacaste Conservation Area in the north of the province preserves some 335,000 species of terrestrial organisms (2.6% of the world's biodiversity), the Palo Verde National Park in the south is an exceptional bird sanctuary.
Evidence of geological activity
Costa Rica's breathtaking biodiversity owes its origins to the recent emergence of the Central American isthmus 15 million years ago. This narrow stretch of land, between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean Sea, became a meeting place for the ecosystems of the North and South American continents. A trip to the caves of Barra Honda National Park, or along the trails of the Rincón de la Vieja and Miravalles volcanoes, gives you the chance to observe these geological phenomena up close.
