This area typically sees more rainfall and slightly higher humidity than the lowlands perfect conditions for growing Costa Ricas famous coffee. Worldly Adventurer is a website that gives you the tools to travel in a different way through Latin America: to have a deeper connection with countries and their people; to go beyond the beaten trail; and to have more meaningful, responsible experiences along the way. An enormous number of hotels have been built on the Pacific coast. This takes the brunt of the Pacifics power out of the waves. The beautiful province of Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica is one of the best-known provinces in the country, thanks to its diverse geography and smattering of picture-perfect beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula. Guanacaste: Diamante Adventure Park All-Day Adventure Pass Enjoy a day of fun for the whole family at Diamante. Save time and money with our best price guarantee make the most of your visit to Guanacaste! From adorable three-toed sloths to scaly reptiles and sleek jungle cats, see an amazing array of animals rescued by the Costa Rican Ministry of Wildlife, and learn about the parks conservation projects. Temperatures are still moderately warm and tourist numbers drop considerably. The park is home to one of the largest concentrations of waterfowl in Central America, with more than three hundred species of bird, among them the endangered jabiru stork and black-crowned night heron. Upgrade your tour to include other activities such as snorkeling, driving a UTV, ziplining, or even exploring other areas by ATV. OurCosta Rica travel tipswill also help you plan your trip. Lake Arenal: Our most recommended tours and activities. Guanacaste is divided into two regions: the highlands and the lowlands. Type above and press Enter to search. This happening beach club is the spot to come watch the surf, have a few drinks, and kick back on a beautiful beach. You can get food to go here as well. Many retreats to Costa Ricas top hotels perched high above the coastline, offering peaceful, panoramic views. April is the hottest month of the year, with temperatures of up to 95F (35C). Rincon de La Vieja National Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Shutterstock. Watch out for toucans in Palo VerdeNational Park, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Shutterstock. Rio Bhongo at Andaz Costa Rica: A casual restaurant with a wide variety of options, like tacos, salads, and sandwiches. The lowlands experience less humidity and cooler temperatures than the highlands and remain lush and green throughout the year. Subscribe for your daily fix of wanderlust, 2020 Bon Traveler, Inc. / Privacy, Terms, GDPR, & Disclosures From Northern California with love . For more on the best time to visit different destinations in Costa Rica, read our guidetowhen to go to Costa Rica. Browse places to stay in Smara, Guanacaste. customisable Costa Rica Eco Adventure trip. I loved that we could enjoy the food right there and there were fresh coconuts for sale on the beach. Follow an expert local guide through breathtaking scenery, rugged trails, and truly beautiful attractions. Choose a one-way private transfer to the airport or return service. Kitted out with a rope harness and a helmet, you descend with a guide, wholl normally take you down into just one. As the only travel blog dedicated to responsible, adventure travel in Latin America, Worldly Adventurer seeks to inspire you to venture beyond the beaten trail and find a deeper connection with the countries you encounter along the way. Basically, it has everything you need to guarantee a fun afternoon out on the water. Sprout in Tamarindo: A healthy, hidden gem that serves a great breakfast. Youll find this a lot with the resorts in the Peninsula Papagayo area. This pass also includes lunch, fruit drinks, and coffee so you can stay all day. For more information, please see this link. Venture through forests, forge rivers, and comb the beach in search of wildlife sightings and a dose of adventure. While youre unlikely to see the parks resident jaguars and pumas, you could well spot coati, coyotes and peccaries. Its the second-busiest airport in Costa Rica and receives several domestic, regional, and international flights. The dry heat, relatively accessible terrain and panoramic views make Guanacaste the best place in the country for walking and horse-riding, especially around the mud pots and sulphur waters of the Parque Nacional Rincn de la Vieja. Between attractions, learn about Costa Rica culture from your guide. These Guanacaste and Northwest experiences are providing additional COVID-19 safety measures: What Coffee & Tea Tours in Guanacaste and Northwest are good for avoiding crowds? One of the coolest beach towns in Costa Rica is in the province of Guanacaste, called Tamarindo. EBAIS Coco 2670-0987 Top activities in Guanacaste and Northwest, Explore Guanacaste and Northwest and beyond. Seasons by Schlomy in Tamarindo: A restaurant with international food famed for the chef. During the day, time is spent either leisurely around the pool or out exploring Costa Ricas grand landscape. However, the weather in the shoulder season is highly unpredictable and youre likely to see a lot of rain. The long stretch of sand is protected by a reef about a kilometre out. Posted in Costa Rica Living, FAQ's, Guanacaste Tourism, Papagayo Region. If you venture out or located in Tamarindo, there are several options from casual to fine dining. . Hiking trails are nearby and plenty of areas to relax in. So it can be difficult to plan a tee time or a tennis match, as the skies can open up at any minute. So, when is the best time to visit Guanacaste? There are dozens of way to get to Guanacaste. Come here to explore off the beaten path and to see Corcovado, a tropical wet forest and one of the most important endangered wildlife sanctuaries in the world. Located at the north end of theNicoyaPeninsula,Smara is home to one of the Pacific coasts finest beaches. One of the most popular regions to explore in all of Costa Rica is Guanacaste. From December to May is our Golden Season, or Dry Season, which means we have absolutely NO rain, like Southern California. Meanwhile, birders could see 200+ species here, including the three-wattled bellbird, the Montezuma oropendola, the trogon, and the spectacled owl. Liberia Hospital 2666-1016 For example, public buses run regular services toCaas and Liberia. Breathe in the salt spray and keep a lookout for dolphins, turtles, whales, and spectacular coastal views. Located on the northern bank of the Ro Tempisque,Palo VerdeNational Park (Parque Nacional Palo Verde) was created to preserve the habitat of migratory birds. However, the dry season is Guanacastes busiest season, with tourists flocking to the region from the northern hemisphere. Be sure to get full coverage insurance to insure precaution. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Worldly Adventurer - aka Steph Dyson - is a bilingual freelance travel writer and guidebook author from the UK. Be met in the airport arrivals area or at your hotel, then simply sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey. Try their tacos with freshly made tortillas. See all Guanacaste and Northwest articles, Guanacaste and Northwest Coffee & Tea Tours, Zipline and Hanging Bridges Combo Tour in Monteverde Cloud Forest, Llanos del Cortez Waterfall and Coffee Tour from Guanacaste, Poas Volcano waterfalls and coffee tour from from San Jose, Catamaran Sailing & Snorkeling from Playa Hermosa, Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass with Lunch, ATV Mountain Tour From Riu Guanacaste or Nuevo Colon, BEST ATV/UTV BEACH TOUR FROM TAMARINDO -FLAMINGO-CONCHAL Beach, Rio Celeste Hiking, Sloth Sanctuary & Llanos de Cortes Waterfall Tour, Skip the Line: Diamante Eco Adventure Park: Animal Sanctuary Discovery Ticket, Adventure Rafting Class III and IV in Tenorio River from Playa Tamarindo, Marlin del Rey Catamaran Snorkel Sunset Cruise from Tamarindo or Playas del Coco, See more Virtual Experiences around the globe, Matapalo Beach (Playa Matapalo) Tours & Tickets, Llano de Corts Waterfall Tours & Tickets, Rincon de la Vieja National Park Tours & Tickets, Cao Negro Wildlife Refuge (Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Mixto Cao Negro) Tours & Tickets, Monteverde Butterfly Gardens Tours & Tickets, St. Mark's Basilica (Basilica di San Marco), Florence Duomo (Cattedrale di Santa Maria dei Fiori), Auschwitz-Birkenau Memorial and Museum Tours and Tickets, Pearl Harbor National Memorial Tours and Tickets, Art Institute of Chicago Tours and Tickets, Aquarium of the Pacific Tours and Tickets, Metropolitan Museum of Art (The Met) Tours and Tickets. Top tip stroll 6km east toPlaya Carrillo, where showstoppingsunsets await. Cruise a lush jungle river and tour a coffee plantation on a full day trip to Palo Verde National Park that takes in the best of northwest Costa Ricas wildlife, nature and culture. Animals in the vicinity include all the big cats (just dont expect to see them), tapir, red deer, collared peccary, two-toed sloth, and howler, white-faced and spider monkeys. Currency & Money: Most vendors accept USD and credit cards, though it is advised to keep some local currency on you. This post contains affiliate links that help support my business in creating content like this. Most people tend to visit the Tenorio Volcano and the Rio Celeste waterfall when they are in Guanacaste. In this national park, it is possible to see hot springs, mud pots, geysers, and more. Costa Ricas diverse ecosystem beholds a whole host of natural treasures. Escape to Arenal for volcanoes, waterfalls and wildlife reserves. It is home to the famous Rincon de la Vieja Volcano and other active geothermal sites in the area. La Fortuna: One-Way Transfer from/to Liberia Airport. While some caves are big enough to allow breathing room for those who dont like enclosed spaces, its still an eerie experience, like descending into a ruined subterranean Notre Dame. Like its name, the spirited provincial capital of Liberia is friendly, progressive and charming, Mostly used by travellers as a jumping-off point for the Rincn de la Vieja and Santa Rosa national parks, or an overnight stop en route to ofGuanacastes beaches, Liberia has a vast range of hotels, hostels and guesthouses. Tags: Guanacaste weather, Travel to Guanacaste, Visit Guanacaste, Mike took care of our every need during our stay in Playas del Coco, from showing us real estate possibilities, helping us set up an adventure tour, showing us the town and its infrastructure and recommending restaurants John and Kay California, We have to thank Michael Simons for many things but mostly for his honest and sincere effort to show Sally and I how PURA VIDA is really lived in Costa RicaJerry and Sally Hawaii, Mike Simons takes looking for real estate in Costa Rica to a different level. Walk by the river and follow a trail to a panoramic viewpoint. Make the most of your time (and your money) with an all-day pass to Diamante Eco Adventure Park, which includes access to ziplines, hanging bridges, ocean activities, a native botanical garden, and the largest animal sanctuary in Guanacaste Province all in one location near the regions most popular cities. site may be reprodiced without our written permission. Header image: Nicoya, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Shutterstock. In the Papagayo area, the top hotels are found here for those looking for luxurious resorts. In-depth, easy-to-use travel guides filled with expert advice. Take the Autopista General Caas (Hwy-27) to the Puntarenas turn-off, then the Interamericana (Hwy-1), which runs right through to the Nicaraguan border at Peas Blancas. Guanacaste Airport, Liberia, Costa Rica - Book Tickets & Tours All rights reserved. Go tailor-made! Browse places to stay in Liberia, Guanacaste. For more turtle action, head to Playa Grande inParque Nacional Marino Las Baulas,Guanacaste. To create a new list, please delete some old ones. Guanacaste is one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, so there is no shortage of things to do in Guanacaste. So, when is the best time to visit Guanacaste? This tour includes all equipment and safety instructions as well as hotel pickup from your Guanacaste lodging. Playa Platanar, Guanacaste - Book Tickets & Tours | GetYourGuide My suggestion is to always call ahead to be sure whether or not a reservation is mandatory for hotel restaurants. There are few tourists in Guanacaste in September and October, so if youre traveling on a budget, this is an ideal time to visit. We visited a few different beaches like Playa Flamingo, Playa Avellanas, and Playa Conchal. Be warned, though this isnt for claustrophobes, people afraid of heights (some of the caves are more than 200m deep) or anyone with an aversion to creepy-crawlies. Its luxurious rooms overlooking the Culebra Bay are memorable, the food is incredible, and the service is truly special. Find tickets & tours worldwide. This is when the area is at its greenest. The Ultimate Travel Guide to Guanacaste, Costa Rica Rincon de la Vieja National Park Tickets and Tours - Viator THE TOP 10 Guanacaste and Northwest Coffee & Tea Tours (w/Prices) - Viator Swim in the beautiful pool of Llanos del Cortez Waterfalla favorite for its multiple cascadesand then learn about coffee from bean to cup on a tour of a working farm with an industry professional. High season starts as soon as the first snow hits North America, around the end of November, and ends the end of April. Playa Samara, Guanacaste, Costa Rica Shutterstock. There are a lot of attractions here at Palo Verde, some of the top ones include Sendero La Roca which is a trail that takes you to a lookout over Palo Verdes lake. To add more items, please delete some old ones. If youd like to dodge the crowds, are traveling on a budget, or want to experience Guanacastes lush greenery, then its best to visit in the shoulder or wet seasons. Indded, during the dry summer season (DecApril), Guanacaste often experiences some drought. Situated in the northwest region of Costa Rica, the Guanacaste Province is rich with many experiences, whether youre an adventure seeker or looking for a relaxing escape. An ideal scenario might be to allow 3-4 days to visit a few national parks before heading to the beach for as long as you like. Dr. Pablo 8830-4087 Guanacaste Airport: Transfer to/from Papagayo Hyatt Hotel Travel to or from Liberia Airport and the Andaz Papagayo Hyatt Hotel in a stress-free way with this transfer. During our trip, our trunk didnt close properly, and later realized it could have been a huge opportunity of error. Here are some of the top things that you can do on your visit to Guanacaste: There isnt a perfect time to visit Guanacaste. His passion and love for this wonderful country rubbed off on us quickly Mike and Cindi Minnesota, Michael Simons is The Man for buying or selling real estate in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The 10 Safest Countries in South America, According to the Global Peace Index, Keep Reading: South Americas 11 Most Unmissable Treks, Keep Reading: South America Backpacking Routes: 7 Itineraries for Two Weeks to One Month. Heres a quick breakdown of Guanacastes seasons and what to expect: The dry season in Guanacaste lasts from December to April. Explore Tamarindos beaches and dry forest on an off-road ATV tour with river crossings, mountain views, and stunning tropical scenery. That said, bird-watchers keen to seePalo VerdeNational Park's migratory birds will want to visit at the height of the dry season, between January and March. One of the best activities I did while visiting Guanacaste was hopping from one beach to the next on the day we rented a car. The best Coffee & Tea Tours in Guanacaste and Northwest according to Viator travelers are: What Coffee & Tea Tours in Guanacaste and Northwest are taking additional safety precautions? This sunset cruise includes snorkeling equipment for you to get out and enjoy the water, plus a premium top-shelf open bar and lunch. Read on to find out but first, heres a summary of the conditions you can expect throughout the year. Parque Nacional Barra Honda, about 13km west of the Ro Tempisque, boasts forty-odd subterranean caves. Note, though, that you shouldnt swim in the Ro Tempisque (or anywhere else), as its home to particularly huge crocodiles. This means that the vegetation is much less green than in the lowlands, especially during the dry season. Christmas and New Years, along with Easter week, are the 3 busiest times of the year, as tourists and locals all head to the beach for vacations. Like the rest of Costa Rica, Guanacaste experiences around 12 hours of daylight regardless of the season. Book your Playa Platanar tickets online and skip-the-line! A sprawling tourist hotspot,Tamarindoenjoys a lively beach culture and raucous nightlife. We really have no bad time of year to visit Guanacaste. Another must-visit beach is Tamarindo, which offers world-class surfing conditions and a vibrant nightlife scene. DisclaimerWorldly Adventurer is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com, Amazon.co.uk and affiliated sites. i personally really want to see wildlife especially monkeys so i would really appreciate any tips on that. Save time and money with our best price guarantee make the most of your visit to Guanacaste! Follow your guide over rivers, through thick jungle foliage, past waterfalls, and more, all while learning about the native wildlife along the way. What is the best time of year to visit Guanacaste? You can self-tour or hire a local guide to bring you through the highlights of Santa Rosa. 1. Best Tours to Take in Guanacaste, Costa Rica - Culture Trip I would advise again for your hotel concierge to help arrange this kind of tour. she wants to mainly do the excursions through . Back on land, take your pick from horse-riding, trail walking and zip-lining experiences. At evening during the dry season, many birds and other species monkeys, coatis and even deer congregate around the waterholes. It makes for a great day trip if youre at a resort and are looking to go somewhere for the day. With an endless variety of nature-based and cultural activities available, Costa Rica is one of the best places to visitin Latin America and Guanacaste is likely to be a highlight of any Costa Rica trip. If youre looking for a real boost of adrenaline, you can certainly go whitewater rafting on the Tenorio River. Learn to maneuver your vehicle, then follow your guide along a rugged circuit. What are the best Coffee & Tea Tours in Guanacaste and Northwest? The best things to do in Costa Rica in 2023, 29 Best beaches in the world to visit in your lifetime, Plan your tailor-made trip with a local expert, Travel stress-free with local assistance and 24/7 support, The best travel tips for visitingGuanacaste, the most beautiful national parks in Costa Rica. we are less so concerned w the adventurous zip lining and intense activity thing, and mainly want to swim in cool places, low-medium level hiking, and potentially horse back riding. The best way to get to Guanacaste is through a direct flight to the capital of the region Liberia. After reaching the private beach, you will be able to enjoy snorkeling, kayaking, stand up paddle boarding . Lolas at Playa Avellana: If you take a drive down the coast, be sure to plan your day around this happening spot on the beach. Remember that the weather can be unpredictable in the shoulder months. Beyond Caas, protected areas encompass Parque Nacional Palo Verde, Reserva Biolgica Lomas Barbudal, and the deep underground caves of Parque Nacional Barra Honda on the Nicoya Peninsula. No elements found. From June to November is our Green season, where you have afternoon showers, similar to Florida, starting at around 3 pm that last for maybe an hour or two. Consider changing the search query. End your tour with a picture-perfect sunset over the ocean. For example, its easy to spend several hours walking the trails of Rincn de la Vieja National Park. Be prepared for a two-hour hike each way, it is a strenuous activity to do but well worth the effort. While Guanacaste might not be along Costa Ricas Caribbean coast, the provinces beaches still rank among some of the most alluring in Central America. If truth be told, youd be hard pushed to see even a fraction of the provinces diversity of attractions from outstanding national parks, to beautiful beaches in less than a week. Things to do in Guanacaste and Northwest Rincon de la Vieja National Park Tours Rincon de la Vieja National Park Tours and Tickets 1,551 Reviews Rincon de la Vieja National Park is the ultimate "one-stop shop" for Costa Rica's natural attractions. We support you to make the most of your time on earth. Del Coco Beach, Guanacaste - Book Tickets & Tours | GetYourGuide If youre looking to get a view or experience of the local volcanoes in this part of Costa Rica, then consider visiting Rincon de la Vieja. Mornings during the dry season have clear skies and relatively moderate temperatures, starting at about 71F (22C). Try the ceviche, indulge in one of the entrees, and save room for dessert! As of 13 January 2023, there are no special COVID-19-related requirements for travelers to Costa Rica. Love natural attractions and trekking? what excursions you can do from this area do you recommend? Fly through the forest canopy on a 15-cable zipline course featuring a gravity-defying Superman cable and a Tarzan swing, and slow down for a closer look at Monteverde's rich biodiversity while walking through the tree tops along a series of hanging bridges.