Culture and history info
Guanacaste's unique cultural notes are an after-effect of once being part of Nicaragua. The indigenous Corotega dominated the region during pre-Columbian times, and some locals today even resemble the people of this tribe. Although Costa Rica managed to get the province back from Nicaragua, the region still boasts a slightly different personality than the rest of the country, making it a great place to visit for new and seasoned Costa Rica travelers alike.
On July 25th, 1824 the people of Guanacaste voted to become part of Costa Rica and Guanacaste was annexed into Costa Rica from Nicaragua. July 25th is now “Guanacaste Day” and is celebrated every year. Guanacaste was named from the word quahnacaztlan, the indigenous word for the national tree of Costa Rica, which is found in Guanacaste. The 5,932 square mile region is cattle country and as you explore small towns you’ll find an almost romantic cowboy culture. It’s not unusual to see great herds of cows, rodeos and cowboys throughout the province.
Today Guanacaste culture is heavily influenced by music, traditional dances and corn. Some of the famous dances from Guanacaste include “El Punto Gunacasteco” and “La Cajeta” and most are derived from Andalusian Flamenco. You’ll also find a huge variety of corn-based dishes and drinks in Guanacaste. Stop by local markets in Liberia and Nicoya and try traditional corn tortillas, tamales and bizcochos.
Guanacaste (Spanish pronunciation: [ɡwanaˈkaste]) is a province of Costa Rica. It is located in the northwestern region of the country, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Alajuela Province to the east, and Puntarenas Province to the southeast.
the most sparsely populated of all the provinces of Costa Rica. The province covers an area of 10,141 square kilometres (3,915 sq mi)[2][3]. As of 2010, it had a population of 354,154. The annual revenue was $2 billion.
Guanacaste’s capital is Liberia. Other important cities include Cañas and Nicoya
The province is bounded on the east by a group of green-swathed volcanoes. These volcanoes form the Cordillera de Guanacaste. This range features Orosi, Rincón de la Vieja, Miravalles, and Tenorio volcanoes. These volcanoes also form the Cordillera de Tilarán. The rivers that tumble out of these steep mountains flow down to rolling flatlands. They form a vast alluvial plain drained by the Rio Tempisque. The river empties through swampy wetlands into the Golfo de Nicoya. The Rio Tempisque defines one side of the horsehead-shaped Península de Nicoya enclosing the gulf to the west.
Guanacaste’s climate and culture are unique among Costa Rican provinces. The province experiences little rain and consistent heat from November to April. This results in ubiquitous tropical dry forests as a natural adaption to the dry season conditions.
Tourists seek out this dry heat during the North American winter to enjoy the Guanacastecan beaches. Irrigation of the agricultural land is necessary during the long dry period.
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 other provinces in the country located in higher elevations.
Tourism spreads across Guanacaste’s 10,141 square kilometres (3,915 sq mi) and more than 640 km (400 mi) of coast line. The main tourist attractions include water, land, mountains, volcanoes, and coastal ecosystems. The two main commercial areas are Santa Cruz and Liberia. These areas are surrounded by six tourism development centers: Papagayo Peninsula, El Coco, Las Catalinas, Flamingo, Conchal, and Tamarindo. Liberia is central to the six locations and is complete with an airport. The animal rehab center is called Centro de Rescate Las Pumas. It is located in the heart of Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site. The Guanacaste province is home to the bulk of Costa Rica’s all-inclusive resorts.
Top Beaches
Just west of Liberia lies the exclusive Peninsula Papagayo. This region features two of the most luxurious resorts in the country. These resorts are the Andaz Papagayo and the Four Seasons. The 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course is also situated on the peninsula capturing breathtaking views of the Pacific.
Just south lie the grey-sands of Hermosa Beach which translates to “beautiful beach.” The waters here are calm making it a great family vacation spot. The nearby brown sands of Matapalo Beach host the guests of the all-inclusive RIU Guanacaste and RIU Palace which has created a more private resort experience for its visitors
Within Guanacaste Costa Rica is the popular town of Tamarindo which offers impressive restaurants and a bustling nightlife. The beaches of Tamarindo are some of the most popular in Costa Rica. Playa Tamarindo is a popular surfing destination. It spreads out beside the fast-growing beach town that was once a quiet fishing community. The neighboring white sands of Langosta Beach are quieter and better suited to swimming.
Further south are the unique Flamingo Beach and Conchal Beach. The pinkish white sand of Flamingo Beach makes up a large section of Potrero Bay. All of the hotels on Flamingo Beach sit on a beautiful cliff overlooking the beach and ocean below. Conchal Beach, as the name suggests, was once composed primarily of crushed seashells. These shells have since been removed for use in building and construction projects. Nearly all of Conchal Beach backs up to the Westin Playa Conchal Resort complex.
Further south, Mansita Beach hosts the guests of the JW Marriott Guanacaste. JW vacationers also enjoy the amenities of Hacienda Pinilla. It is an exclusive resort and residential community with golf, tennis, stables, a beach club, and various dining options.
Things To do!
1- Rincon de la vieja park
2-Tenorio Volcano National Park & Rio Celeste Waterfall
3-Sea Turtle Nesting
4-Santa Rosa National Park
5-Palo Verde National Park
Our travel experts plan private vacation tours. They include transportation and tours to make your vacation hassle-free. Plan your trip with us!
Guanacaste has tours available for everyone. ATV, canopy, mountain biking, canyoning and white water rafting are available for adrenaline seekers. Sport fishing is rampant throughout the province, with half and full-day tours. Those looking to relax can find hot springs, yoga resorts, sunset cruises and excellent bird watching tours.
Where to Go
