This area is known for having some of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica there are white sanded beaches, five-star hotels and activities of all sorts. As if that wasn’t enough there are world class golf courses with incredible views and famous surf breaks. But it’s not all beaches, there is also the scenic Tempisque River Bridge (The Friendship Bridge subsidized by Taiwan), vibrant mud-pits of Rincon de la Vieja and the beautiful Coco Island. Travelers can easily get here from the International Liberia Airport which is just an hour or less away.
This area can be found close to the border with Nicaragua in the Pacific coast. It is formed by the Nicoya Peninsula and some islands in the Gulf of Nicoya and the Isla Del Coco. Here are some of the best places to visit:
The Gold Coast
This is a very popular area that offers a fantastic a mixture of white and black sanded beaches, remote coves, great restaurants, lots of tours, world class golf courses and five star resorts. It is formed by may beaches but my favorite and some of the most popular beaches of this area are Playa del Coco, Ocotal, Conchal, Papagayo Bay, Flamingo, Playa Grande and Tamarindo.
Can’t-Miss-This!
* Excellent resorts and spas
* Tamarindo
* Santa Rosa National Park
* Surf camp and professional surf instruction
* A tour to see the endangered leatherback turtle lay her eggs on Playa Grande
* Getting a hole-in-one at one of Costa Rica’s best golf courses
Liberia and the Surrounding Area
Liberia is the capital of Guanacaste and is now stocked with plenty of hotels, restaurants and shops. It is the perfect place to go for a volcano tour because it is surrounded by active and inactive volcanoes. This is one of the last places of Costa Rica where you can see savanna-like plains and real cowboys that still live the traditional ranch lifestyle.
Can’t-Miss-This!
* Take a dip in the mud pits at Rincon de la Vieja
* The Sabanero (cowboy) culture and horseback riding.
* Rincon de la Vieja, active volcano
Southern Nicoya Peninsula
This is a place with lavish tropical rain forests around beautiful and isolated beaches in the southern part of the Guanacaste region. Famous destinations include Samara, Nosara, Malpais, Montezuma and Tortuga Island. This area is known for its calmness and relaxation.
Can’t-Miss-This!
* Glorious sunsets at any one of the peninsula’s beaches, many of which are secluded and often deserted
* The Olive Ridley sea turtle at Ostional Wildlife Refuge
* Surfing in Malpias, or surf lessons in Samara
Marina K. Villatoro, the Travel Experta, lives in Central America – Costa Rica and Guatemala for the past decade. She’s traveled these parts extensively and now loves to organize vacations to these amazing parts of the world. Having first hand experience of all the places with her family, she can recommend the best options for you. Contact her for advice and to plan your perfect trip!. Check here for free reprint license: The North Pacific Region Of Costa Rica.