Northern Pacific - Guanacaste
Beautiful beaches, fascinating national parks and a variety of activities, including world-class fishing and diving, awaits visitors to this largest province of Costa Rica
Traveling from the Central Valley to Guanacaste is an almost surreal experience. The steep and winding roads gradually become flatter and straighter, and the lush, humid plant-life becomes sparser and drier. The mountains that before hemmed you in on both sides now become relegated to the distant horizon, replaced by vast, open lowlands ("bajura")
Guanacaste Geography
Guanacaste is located in the northwestern part of the country, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. To the north it borders Nicaragua. To the east is the Alajuela Province, and to the southeast is the Puntarenas Province. Guanacaste's capital is Liberia. The province covers an area of 10,141 km², and, as of 2000, had a population of 264,238. It is the most sparsely populated of all the provinces of Costa Rica.
Guanacste is HOT! Not only the weather, but the real estate scene as well! . A province for the active soul, Guanacaste draws visitors with its stunning shoreline, incredible bird watching, amazing horseback riding, killer surfing, snorkeling, and windsurfing.. With so much to do, it's easy to understand why single travelers and families alike both choose to spend time in the North Pacific.
Forming the eastern borders of Guanacaste are a chain of volcanoes that stretch out to join the Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera de Tilaran mountain ranges. The hiking in this area allows people to trek their way to the summit of a number of volcanoes, including Rincon de la Vieja Volcano Area, to enjoy fabulous views of the countryside. Passing through lovely lush dense forests, which play host to a fabulous array of exotic plant and wildlife, many rare and endangered animals and birds live here including jaguars and tapirs.
A region steep in culture, the name Guanacaste is derived from the word quahnacaztlan, which is a native word for the guanacaste tree. This tree is the national tree of Costa Rica.
This area has gained a lot of popularity in recent years due to the expansion of the Liberia airport. The airport has expanded it's arsenal of incoming flights and makes it easier for residents and tourists alike to arrive at ths part of the country. In years past, it was necessary to fly into San Jose's Juan Santamaria airport and either fly on a short flight, or drive several hours across the country. Most sites of this region are off the Pan-American Highway (Hwy. 1), which is scenic in its own right, moving northwest through Guanacaste and continuing almost to the Nicaraguan border.
Guanacaste Climate
Guanacaste's climate and culture are unique among Costa Rican provinces. The province experiences little rain and consistent heat from November to April. Tourists seek out this dry heat during the North American winter to enjoy the breathtaking Guanacastecan beaches. From May to October, the climate is similar to that of San José, consisting of showers daily and moderate temperatures. Guanacaste is, however, considerably warmer than provinces residing in higher elevations.
