Guanacaste Hotels

Best of all, you can visit Guanacaste without feeling hemmed in by others. Roca Bruja’s surf breaks are world-renowned, while golfers won’t be able to resist the allure of Hacienda Pinilla’s greens. You’ll find a pleasant lack of pasty tourists and hideous souvenir T-shirts whether you’re canyoning, volcano touring or just relaxing in the scenic surrounds. And when the sun goes down, Tamarindo Beach’s vibrant, diverse nightlife offer compelling alternatives to the ubiquitous Irish themed pubs.

Guanacaste’s Top 10

Guanacaste History

• Rincon de la Vieja – Guanacaste’s most active volcano, recording blasts of gases and ash fall in the years 1983, 1991 and 1995.
• Church of La Ermita La Agonia – Built in 1965 and now a museum.
• La Cruz – Played a very important role in the history of Guanacaste.
• Santa Rosa National Park – Originally built to protect the Battle of Santa Rosa, but it is now a monument.
• Area De Conservaciun Guanacaste – City’s heritage site.

Guanacaste Art & Culture

• Hidden Garden – The sanctuary for the arts is not just a gallery, but more of a social and cultural centre where natural, fine arts, live music and intellects meet and interact with one another.
• English Speaking Little Theatre Group – The oldest theatrical troupe performing at the Centro Cultural Eugene O’Neill Theatre.
• Monteverde Music Festival – Musical festivity in Guanacaste featuring classical, swing and jazz.
• Las Legeartadas – Crocodile hunt every Good Friday is believed to be sacred and miraculous.
• Turnos Festival – Patron saint celebration include bullfights, horse parades, music and dancing, making the festivities a magical one.

Guanacaste Shopping

• Kaltak Arts and Crafts Market – Considered the best souvenir shop in the place.
• Local Souvenir Shops – Pottery and other handcrafted items are some of the products that you can bring back home from your travels to Guanacaste.
• Roadside Kiosk – Fun on the beach can be optionally had by just walking along between Liberia and Guanacaste beaches, with an array of affordable products to shop in the kiosks.
• Mall Plaza Liberia – Shopping mall located in downtown Liberia.
• Centro Comercial Garden Plaza in Tamarindo – Amazing beaches that offer shopping facilities along the shore.

Gay & Lesbian Guanacaste

• Comunidad LGBT Guanacaste – A non-formal LGBT community.
• Kuru – Only nightclub in the place and LGBT friendly.
• Casitas LazDivaz B&B – Lesbian-owned hotel that warmly welcomes LGBT.
• Marriott Guanacaste Resort & Spa – Gay-friendly resort that offers luxurious bar and restaurant services.
• Hotel Villa Decary Bed & Breakfast – A gay-owned hotel that offers fantastic, relaxed breakfasts.

Guanacaste Events

Celebrating with rodeos and folk music, January’s Fiesta Patronal de Santo Cristo is known for its oxen procession.

February’s Fiesta Civica gives a heads up to the cowboys and ranchers of years gone by with rodeos, horse riding and beautiful street markets.

Dia de la Anexion de Guanacaste is a day of national celebration and festivities in July, celebrating the day the former Principality of Guanacaste was brought into the official Costa Rican fold.

Dia de Las Culturas marks the day Christopher Columbus first discovered the Americas. It is held across Latin America each October.

Running concurrently with New Year’s celebrations in December, Fiesta de los Diablitos sees men dressed as devils fighting others dressed as conquistadors.

When To Go

November to April sees tourism numbers peak as European travellers seek to escape the northern winter.

The rainy season (from May to mid-November) isn’t the best time to visit unless you love hanging out in hotel rooms.

If you’re in the mood to catch Guanacaste at its most natural, check it out during April. Easter provides a great glimpse into the everyday lives of the locals.

Getting Around

Most of the beaches in the region are within walking distance from hotels.

Renting a car is a good option, but be wary during the wet season when roads are notoriously boggy and unreliable.

The best and most scenic way to get into town is via ferry from San Jose.