ABOUT COSTA RICA - NORTH PACIFIC: Guanacaste

The north Pacific of Costa Rica is formed by the well known province of Guanacaste. This area has became famous around the world for its beautiful pristine beaches, fascinating National Parks and great variety of activities, including fishing, world class scuba diving and the amazing nesting sea turtles. North Pacific is the most visited area in Costa Rica, for that reason the second international airport is located in Liberia. Many foreigners fly directly to Guanacaste daily to explore the colorful beaches, rocky points covered with tropical dry forest and tamarindoactivities close to nature. Here you will find all types of accommodations, from modern hotels part of worldwide chains, luxury and boutique properties like our member the Hotel Capitán Suizo, located in Tamarindo Beach, or just comfortable hotels. The restaurants, souvenirs shops, rental cars, golf courses, discotheques and tours will make your vacation perfect.

Liberia is the capital of the Guanacaste Province. It is known as the White City because of its whitewashed houses that make Liberia seem truly colonial. Anoher important city, declared the Folkloric City is Santa Cruz. In spite of its modern development, its people have preserved the traditions and customs of the land through songs, dances, traditional dress, typical food, religious festivities and you can still appreciate extensive cattle ranches that reflect the life of the “sabanero” (cowboy).

The most important art and craft center of the country is Guaitil located along the highway between Santa Cruz and Nicoya. Pottery made here uses traditional techniques of the ancient Chorotegas.

The sun, beaches and sea, are what people look for in Guanacaste, for that reason we will mention the most popular ones:

• Nacascolo: Perfect for snorkeling and scuba diving for its clear waters, a peaceful beach where you can walk through the shoreline and visit a small estuary.
  
  
• Panama: it is a long bay, this beach is calm surrounded by vegetation. An estuary and a small mangrove can be visited. The water sports and camping are ideal here.
  
  
• Hermosa: 2 kilometers of sandy beach, clear waters and smooth waves. Suitable for bathing, sunset watching, hiking, horseback riding, scuba diving, boat rides, water skiing among others.
  
  
• Del Coco: A tourist colorful town, an excellent destination for sport fishing, scuba diving, boat rides, walks, horseback riding and swimming.
  
  
• Potrero: A bay of tranquil waters, beautiful estuaries and mangroves. Perfect for relaxing and water sports.
  
  
• Flamingo: The white sand and moderate waves, mangrove and two island on the north have attracted first class hotels with excellent amenities and breathtaking mansions making this beach one of the top recreational sites in Costa Rica.
  
  
• Conchal: Considered one of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica for its coarse sand of millions of shell particles. It has mangrove, clear water and lots of vegetation. Perfect for scuba diving and other water sports.
  
  
• Tamarindo: This beach has been catalogued as the best for surf in the area. Others activities to enjoy here are: sport fishing, walking, horseback riding and admiring the green turtle nesting. Tamarindo offers a full range of services.
  
  
• Grande: Grande is just next to Tamarindo, so it is ideal for surfing. Las Baulas National Park is also located here, a nesting place for the leatherback turtle. It is internationally recognized for its conservation.
  
  
• Langosta: It is popular for its natural scenery and surfing. It is also an important location the leatherback turtle nesting as well as water birds.
  
  
• Avellanas: Another paradise for surfers, it’s a rocky coast surrounded by exuberant vegetation and bathed by giant waves. A good spot for walks, swimming and enjoy the view.
  
  
• Ostional: It is part of the Ostional Wildlife refuge, recognized internationally as a nesting site of the green sea turtle. The giant waves are ideal for surfers.
  
  
• Samara: This beach offers moderate waves, a lot of vegetation and the Chora Island is nearby. Perfect for kayaking, biking and horseback ridding.
  
  
• Carrillo: Palm trees and quiet waves make this beach a great place for swimming, relaxing, kayaking and other water sports.
  
  

But the North Pacific is not just about sun, sand and sea, there are other very important spots that tourists should not miss. The country’s effort to preserve natural treasures is reflected in the following conservations or national parks areas:

Santa Rosa National Park

Santa Rosa National Park is one of Costa Rica's most important historical areas, in addition to serving as a popular destination for nature lovers and surfers. The ranch house, known as “La Casona”, and the stone corrals witnessed the nation's greatest heroic deed. The park boasts several beaches and has the most significant remaining area of dry tropical forest in Central America. The fauna is rich and diverse as well. It is here that more than 155 species of mammals have been identified, more than half of which are bats. There are also 253 species of birds, 100 species of amphibians and reptiles, and over ten thousand types of insects. The most abundant mammals are the howler monkey, white faced monkey, armadillo, white tailed deer, white-nosed coati, collared peccary, raccoon and the spiny pocket mouse. Among the most important protected beaches are Nancite and Naranjo which are biological stations for turtle nesting.

Rincón de la Vieja National Park

This park is home to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. The group of smoking lagoons and fumaroles are the main attractions immersed in the forest. Quiet trails lead to the pailas and volcanic cones throughout the park. Here you can observe different evidence of the country’s volcanic activity: mud baths, geysers, caverns, natural saunas, steaming baths and hot water lagoons, a perfect combination for excitement. Thousands of orchids and over 300 species of birds and mammals can also be seen.

Las Baulas National Marine Park

This park was created to protect the largest turtle in the world, the leatherback turtle. Playa Grande has become a home for reptiles that are in danger of extinction.

Palo Verde National Park

Palo Verde is one of the country’s most diverse ecologic places. Many lagoons have made this park important to resident and migratory birds of Central America.

Ostional National Wildlife Refuge

This is another area that protects turtles nesting. The Olive Ridley nest in the refuge year- round, but the Leatherback and Green Turtles nest between September and February.

Our recommendation for accommodation is our member Hotel Capitán Suizo, located directly on the beach in Tamarindo. A beautiful boutique hotel where its garden is home to howler monkeys and many birds.