Guanacaste is a region in northwestern Costa Rica famous for its beaches and plentiful amenities. Sometimes called the “Gold Coast,” this area has some of the country’s most beautiful beaches. It is also one of the most developed regions for tourism. Along the Pacific, you’ll find different sized towns, each situated on its own cove, point, or bay. Some are quieter communities while others are built up. The largest town, Tamarindo, has a bustling main strip with shops, restaurants, and hotels packed in.
In this post, we’ll give you a snapshot of the Guanacaste region as well as some resources to help you plan a visit.
Guanacaste Costa Rica: Quick Facts
- Closest Airport: Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR)
- Best Weather: December to July
- Activity Highlight: Beach
- Major Destinations: Tamarindo, Playa Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo, Playas del Coco, Playa Hermosa, Papagayo, Nosara, Samara.
Guanacaste: Location and Landscape
The Guanacaste region makes up the northwestern-most part of Costa Rica. It consists of a giant tract of land stretching from the Pacific Ocean inland to the Guanacaste mountain range, where several volcanoes are located. Between the sea and mountains, the landscape is mostly flat, with vast ranch and farm land.
These rural stretches can look almost like a savanna, especially in the driest months when fields turn golden brown with drought. To the north is the Nicaragua border, and to the south, Costa Rica’s central Pacific coastal region.
Guanacaste’s coastline is a diverse mix of coves, beaches, and rocky points or peninsulas. You will find some of the most beautiful beaches in the country here. Guanacaste is one of the only places in Costa Rica with white or light sand beaches. Another notable feature are its many coves, especially in the northern part, which have calmer water for swimming and snorkeling. Other beaches have consistent waves for surfing or boogie boarding.
Many beaches and bays host a small tourist town or resort, but there are still plenty of completely undeveloped areas to explore.
When to Visit: Guanacaste’s Climate and Weather
Overview
Contrary to some marketing materials out there, you won’t see lush tropical rainforest or sloths in the majority of the Guanacaste region.
In fact, during the busiest tourism months (late December to April) most of the area sees little or no rain at all. It can feel arid, and wildlife (other than iguanas, birds, and occasional monkeys) can be scarce.
However, with sunny skies and temperatures often into the 90s (30s Celsius), perfect beach days are almost guaranteed for months out of the year.
Weather Breakdown by Month
The driest times in Guanacaste are from mid-December through April. During this period, it may not rain for weeks at a time.
In May, the first rains usually arrive. More consistent rain showers and thunderstorms (usually in the evenings) continue through August. This intermediate season brings cooler temperatures, and the much-needed rain turns forests and fields green again.
The months of September and October are typically the rainiest with wet weather most days but still the chance for some sun, especially in the morning.
Rain tapers off quickly starting in November, and by around mid-December, rain all but stops again.
Guanacaste: Things to Do
Surfing & Beaches
With sunny skies much of the year, beaches are the highlight in Guanacaste. Sunbathers and surfers alike can enjoy a variety of different beach settings.
Some popular beaches are:
(1) Playa Tamarindo, a famous surfing destination and one of the larger tourist towns in Guanacaste.
(2) Playa Conchal, a relaxing spot with a resort-like feel and a popular beach with sand made of shells.
(3) Playa Flamingo, a luxurious destination with a pretty beach and higher-end accommodations.
(4) Nosara, a laid-back beach town in a more remote location that is popular for yoga and surfing.
(5) Playa Samara, a good family destination with easy access to the beach and restaurants, as well as calmer water for swimming.
Watersports
To see the beautiful coastline from a different angle, we highly recommend getting out on the water. Catamaran cruises and sportfishing are two of the best options.
Catamaran operators can be found in many of the larger beach destinations in Guanacaste and tours usually include some time for snorkeling in a calmer cove.
Likewise, private sportfishing charters head offshore in search of sailfish, tuna, roosterfish, and other trophy fish.
Adventure and Nature Tours
Guanacaste has a decent variety of tours, including zip lining, ATV, and horseback riding. But many people visit this region primarily for beach time and do their adventure activities in other areas of Costa Rica. Other regions with tropical rainforest and more wildlife can be better for some of these things.
National Parks
National parks are farther from Guanacaste, at around a 1-2 hour drive from beach destinations. So it’s best to get in your hiking elsewhere if you will be splitting your time between towns.
If you do want to visit some parks, there are a few good options.
Rincon de la Vieja National Park
Rincon de la Vieja National Park is probably the most popular. This park surrounds an active volcano. Along the main trail, you can see things like bubbling mud pots, acidic ponds, and steam vents. The park is also home to wildlife like monkeys and tropical birds. There are a few private facilities nearby that offer a range of activities like river tubing, zip lining, and mud baths.
Palo Verde National Park
Palo Verde National Park is another good choice. This park is made up of rivers and wetlands that attract many types of birds and animals, especially in the drier months when water is hard to find. A relaxing boat trip along the waterways is an excellent way to see things like crocodiles, monkeys, wading birds, and parrots.
Santa Rosa National Park
Santa Rosa National Park, in the northern part of Guanacaste, combines history and nature. This was the site of a historic battle in 1856. Visitors can go inside the small wooden fort to view the history and some artifacts. There are a few accessible trails near the battle site, which cut through the massive tropical dry forest.
Others park areas in Santa Rosa, like the mangroves and beaches, are much harder to visit unless you have a true off-road vehicle or a lot of time to hike.
Day Trips in Guanacaste
If you plan to make Guanacaste your home base during vacation, a day trip inland can break up your beach time and allow you to see a different area of the country.
In general, the closest day trips within Guanacaste are to the national parks listed above. Otherwise, the gorgeous Llanos de Cortez Waterfall, one of the only waterfalls in the area, is about 30 minutes south of Liberia Airport (LIR).
Longer day tours to places like the Monteverde Cloud Forest, Rio Celeste Waterfall, or Arenal Volcano are doable from Guanacaste but require a long day in the car or shuttle. You can count on 3-4 hours each way plus time for touring. For this reason, we often recommend staying in those areas separately for a few days, if possible.
Planning Your Visit to Guanacaste
Airports
Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (LIR) is the closest international airport. It is located in the small city of Liberia, right within the Guanacaste region. From the airport, the drive to beach towns ranges from about 30 minutes to 2 hours.
Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO) is Costa Rica’s largest airport. It is located in Alajuela near San Jose, about 4 hours from most beach destinations in Guanacaste.
Getting Around
Rental Car
All major rental car companies in Costa Rica have offices in Guanacaste and offer car pick up from the LIR Airport area as well as delivery to some beach towns. If you plan to rent a car during your stay, we highly recommend using Adobe Rent a Car, which has one of the best reputations in the country. Check out our Rental Car Discount page to save 10-20% and get free extras.
Many beach destinations in the region are within close proximity, so with a rental car, you can hop from one to the next when exploring.
Shuttle Service
If you’d rather not drive, taking a private shuttle van from the airport and between destinations is easy. Shuttle prices from LIR Airport to beach destinations in Guanacaste range from around $75-$150/van transfer one way. To check prices and book with a reliable company, see our Shuttle Transfers page.
Guanacaste’s Major Destinations
Popular Tourism Destinations
Here’s a list of Guanacaste’s most popular destinations and their proximity to LIR Airport. We’ve written detailed articles on many of these towns so use the links below to find more information.
Playas del Coco and Ocotal – Approx. 30 minutes from LIR
Playa Hermosa – Approx. 35 minutes from LIR
Papagayo Peninsula – Approx. 35 minutes from LIR
Brasilito – Approx. 1 hour from LIR
Playa Conchal – Approx. 1 hour from LIR
Flamingo – Approx. 1 hour from LIR
Potrero – Approx. 1 hour from LIR
Tamarindo – Approx. 1 hour and 20 minutes from LIR
Samara – Approx. 2 hours from LIR
Nosara – Approx. 3 hours from LIR
All-Inclusive Resorts
This area of the country has the most all-inclusive resorts. Here, you will find the JW Marriott Guanacaste, Westin Reserva Playa Conchal, W Costa Rica Playa Conchal, Reserva Conchal, Dreams Las Mareas, Hotel Riu, Secrets Papagayo, Four Seasons Resort, Andaz Papagayo, and Hotel Punta Islita (Marriott), among others.
Conclusion
Costa Rica’s Guanacaste region stands out as one of the country’s most popular tourist destinations. With stunning beaches, easy access from the airport, and plenty of amenities, there’s no wonder why. We hope this post kickstarts your planning and you get to visit soon!
Planning a visit to Guanacaste and have a question? Leave us a comment below.
Looking for more resources to help you plan? Check out these posts:
Safety in Costa Rica – Tips on what to expect and how to keep your valuables safe on vacation.
Central Pacific Coast Regional Snapshot – A look at the coastal area to the south of Guanacaste.
Destinations Summary Guide – To further narrow your planning, check out our Destinations Summary Guide. This gives a brief description of every town we cover on our website with links for additional information.
Rental Car Discount – Check out our rental car discount for a reliable car at a discounted price. Our readers get free extras and 10-20% off the car’s base price.
