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Guanacaste, Costa Rica – An Introduction

Guanacaste is one of the seven provinces of Costa Rica, bordering the North is Nicaragua and on the west the Pacific Ocean. Guanacaste features one of the longest stretches of land in the country with miles of pristine coastline, several mountain ranges, volcanoes, national parks, and an incredible year-round climate. There are many reasons why Guanacaste should top the list of your next vacation, but here are the top five reasons why it makes it a perfect destination.

Liberia International Airport

One of the most convenient ways to travel to Guanacaste is by landing at the Daniel Oduber International Airport (LIR) located on the outskirts of the city of Liberia. The most popular destinations in Guanacaste are located anywhere from 20 minutes to two hours away from this major airport. These highly sought after locations can take 5 to 6 hours by car if you fly into the capital of San Jose. So what is the approximate amount of travel time you can expect?

• Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, and Ocotal: 20-25 minutes
• Península de Papagayo, Four Seasons, and Andaz: 45 minutes
• Tamarindo, Flamingo, Potrero, Las Catalinas: 60 minutes
• Ostional, Nosara, Guiones: 120 minutes

Guanacaste Beaches and Volcanoes

If there is one province in Costa Rica where you can have the best of both worlds it is Guanacaste. You can be on the Pacific coast beaches in the early morning and by the afternoon enjoying the views of majestic volcanoes. Rincon de la Vieja and Arenal volcanoes are the two most popular landmarks visited in the province. With easy access and several viewpoints and activities, it makes them a big attraction. So if you are looking to combine beach time with rainforest and volcanoes, Guanacaste is the place to be.

Guanacaste Climate

Guanacaste boasts a dry forest climate, meaning there are two distinct seasons: rainy and dry season. Both of them run for an average of six months of the year. The dry season starts towards the end of November and ends around mid-May. During the dry season, you can expect blue cloudless skies, sunshine all day, breezes blowing from the north, and no rain at all! The lack of rain for an average of 4 months turns the land golden brown until April. During the rainy season, the land turns green and lush and all the flowers bloom. The rain showers begin in mid-May and generally, there are gentle rains that come in the late afternoon giving you plenty of time to enjoy the outdoors.

Guanacaste Wildlife Diversity

Having access to dry and rainforests in Guanacaste, the amount of wildlife biodiversity in the area is extensive. Protected national park areas range from dry forest, rain forest and coastlines to create an impressive network for flora and fauna. If you are an avid wildlife seeker or love animals in general, this is a great location to watch undisturbed wildlife. There are also animal sanctuaries in the area that take care of those animals that have suffered trauma and cannot be reintroduced into the wild. Wildlife education centers provide a perfect opportunity to learn more about animals in Costa Rica and the conservations efforts that take place in the country. If you are looking for a great Animal Sanctuary visit the Diamante Eco Adventure Park animal sanctuary and wildlife education center.

Sloth watching is one of the major highlights at Diamante Eco Adventure Park

Guanacaste Cultural Experiences

Guanacaste is one of the few provinces in Costa Rica where culture is celebrated and brought forth every single day. In every town, you can find glimpses of their local traditions and the joy of the people in teaching you their ways. This has created large offerings of cultural tours and experiences around Guanacaste. They range from visiting local indigenous towns and learning about their ways, to coffee and chocolate tours, to attending the patriotic celebrations on their dates. Take a little piece of Costa Rica with you by living one of the many cultural tours in the area. Some of them even let you have hands-on experiences with their products and offer tastings in chocolate or coffee.

So put it on your bucket list and make Guanacaste, Costa Rica your next vacation destination. It is a perfect place for families, friends, newlyweds, adventure seekers, nature lovers, or just plain beach bums! Guanacaste offers a little bit of something for everyone.

Pura Vida