08
Guanacaste
by admin ·
The province of Guanacaste in Costa Rica in the far west of the country, comprises the bulk of the territory that was annexed to the country on July 25, 1824. Because its extention is the second largest province in the country, but also the more depopulated. Its northern border with the Republic of Nicaragua, on the east by Alajuela, Puntarenas to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean. Its main city is Liberia.
Guanacaste is named in honor of the country’s national tree. Its geography is plain, rugged by the Cordillera de Guanacaste to the border with Alajuela, and with some higher areas in the Peninsula of Nicoya. It is divided politically in 11 regions. The economic potential of Guanacaste lies in their tourism, since its beaches are a great scenic attraction, and its warm climate is ideal for the visitors. In Liberia is the second international airport in Costa Rica, named Daniel Oduber International Airport.
Guanacaste province of Costa Rica - North Pacific
Before the arrival of the Spaniards, the area was inhabited by indigenous people called Chorotegas, one of the cultures of Mesoamerica. In the southern part inhabited the Corobici, which belonged to the Intermediate Area. The first church was built outside of Nicoya in the seventeenth century. In the eighteenth century, some neighbors of Rivas established their homes and farms in the northern part of the Nicoya peninsula. The place was named Guanacaste, since there was a famous Guanacaste tree which grew in the area.
In 1826, through an Act of Congress of Central America, the entire territory of the Party of Nicoya was annexed to Costa Rica. In 1836 the population of Guanacaste was declared capital of the territory of Guanacaste, later turned into province. However, in 1854, the name of this city was changed to Liberia.
In the territory of Guanacaste was fought on March 20, 1856, the Battle of Santa Rosa, in which the Costa Rican army defeated the forces of William Walker that tried to extend its dominance throughout Central America. In Guanacaste you can enjoy much of the Costa Rican traditions, for example you can enjoy the music of the “marimba”, folk dances, meals and other demonstrations of the culture of the zone, also the tourist have to visit the volcanoes Orosi, Rincon de la Vieja and Miravalles, or learn a little more about the struggles for Costa Rican independence in the Parque Nacional Santa Rosa.
The area has several of the most beautiful beaches of Costa Rica, for example among the most visited there are Culebra Bay in the Gulf of Papagayo, Playa Hermosa, Playas del Coco, Playa Grande, Playa Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, Playa Avellanas, Playa Brasilito, Playa Samara, Playa Nosara, Puerto Carrillo and others. It also has national parks (protected areas) as the Guanacaste Conservation Area, the largest in the country, Palo Verde National Park, and places like the caves of Barra Honda, Miravalles Volcano, and the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. For its tourist attraction and the sun and the beaches, the region is the destination of many foreign tourists who visit Costa Rica. For that reason it has the Daniel Oduber International Airport that receives international flights that allows to avoid the land displacement from the capital San Jose.
Some of the most famous festivals in the province of Guanacaste are the popular celebrations of the city of Santa Cruz, in January, where you can enjoy dancing, games, local foods and sports, also the festivals of Playas del Coco, in February, and the civic celebration of Liberia in the months of February and July.
