Costa Rica Info

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.

Costa Rica has some of the finest white water rivers available for rafting and kayaking adventures.  Wild and untamed rivers flow through the tropical jungle in an everchanging, intertwining maze of white waters and calm sections, surrounded by lots of different types of flora and fauna, that can be apreciated throughout the whole river basin. White whater rafting companies have been around form more than 20 years and have lots of experience in safety, knowledge of the rivers and how to properly take care of a customer.

There are various categories of white waters in a same river in Costa Rica.  Here’s a description of the one’s that the mayor white water tour companies offer to the public.

The PACUARE river features class III and IV white waters and even class V for the most adventurous, specially during the rainny season. It features a lot of intertwings throught densely vegetated gorges that are home to many animals like medium cats, monkeys, slots, birds and more.
The REVENTAZON white waters also feature class III and IV rapids. The  river runs through a dense jungle on the Atlantic side of Costa Rica.  This white waters feature around 60 miles of usable water “track” for which there are many access points along the river banks, enabling various tour companies to operate in different white water classes without interfering with one another.

Corcovado National Park is one of the most diverse and wild ecological region in Costa Rica within one of the most intense biological place in the world. This park is located on the Osa Peninsula in the south of Costa Rica and is one of the most remote parts of the country possessing a spectacular natural beauty difficult to see in others parts. Corcovado National Park is home to the largest and unique primary tropical rainforest in the world; it is located in lowlands and also hosts a plethora of plant and animal species in danger of extinction like the jaguar.

Corcovado National Park was created in 1975 to protect this glorious region of gold miners and logging and is today one of the most popular destinations for ecotourism. Because it is somewhat isolated and difficult to access is a l park that has been little touched by the human being. Corcovador is home of  the beautiful red macaw, the resplendent Quetzal, the Arboreal Red-Eye Toad and the Tapir, the largest land mammal in Central America and South America.

Corcovado National Park in Costa Rica

Corcovado National Park is lush and exotic, home to thirteen major ecosystems ranging from mangrove swamps and palm groves until herbaceous marshes with fresh water and luxurious lowland rain forests. The park covers more than 41,000 acres protecting more than 140 species of mammals, 400 species of birds,( of which 20 are endemic)116 species of reptiles and amphibians, 40 species of fish and at least 500 species of trees. It is home to the rare Mico Harbor squirrel and the Happy Eagle. The Corcovado Park is also a great place to observe the poison arrow frog, indigenous wild cats, crocodiles, pumas and jaguars as well as four species of sea turtles.

The park is extremely hot, very humid and rainy almost all year, but it’s great fun hiking along the dense vegetation that opens to some magnificent beaches. With its untouched natural beauty this park allows you to experience nature in its most splendid way. This travel is an incredible adventure for those who dare to lead the way along this amazing region. Hiking is very popular here with four rangers’ stations, strategically located each one next to one another. Take a guided tour is the best way to observe the park because there are many wild animals that roam everywhere. The best idea is to hire a guide at Drake Bay or in Puerto Jimenez and you will have the perfect vacation, full of adventure.

You can reach the Corcovado National Park via Puerto Jimenez or Drake Bay. These two towns are the principal gateway to the park. To get to Puerto Jimenez the tourist can take a direct flight from San Jose, while to arrive at the Drake Bay you can fly to Sierpe and then catch a boat to this small town.

Playa Potrero is located 175 miles from the city of San Jose, 45 miles from Liberia International Airport and 15 miles from the local airport in the town of Tamarindo. To get to Playa Potrero tourists should take the following route: Liberia-Guardia-Philadelphia-Huacas-Brasilito Beach and from there directly to the place. The paved road ceases to be about 4 miles of Playa Brasilito.

It’s a bay beach with grey sand and  blue water, 4 kilometers long, with waves gentle to moderate, ideal for practice swimming, fishing, diving and other water sports and sunbathing. Potrero presents a lush mangrove vegetation and a beautiful estuary which has about 4 miles long. It is very close to the beautiful Flamingo beach, which in turn provides high quality services of all kind. It has hotels, cabins, lodges and camping areas. It has an easy access for virtually all year is located near the main town of the area.  Although its tourism development has been increasing in recent years, is still a beach with a quiet atmosphere.

Guanacaste - North Pacific - Costa Rica

Potrero has a splendid warm and sunny weather throughout the year being one of its main attractions. The sun shines for 11-12 hours during the day during the dry season (December to April) heating the place with temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius. The hot weather and the rains of around 1800 mm per year give the area a varied and lush environment.

Playa Potrero is part of the extraordinary number of beautiful beaches called the Costa Dorada of the North Pacific, all with different characteristics, including shades of sand, sea, vegetation and attractions. All this allows offering to the visitors a variety of options for entertainment and fun for the tourism. Without a doubt Playa Potrero is a gift of nature.

Playa Potrero is characterized by its spacious beach -because of its location within a bay- that offers the possibility to enjoy a quiet and safe sea. Is an ideal place for families, students, couples, seniors and anyone looking for a space of relaxation, health, entertainment and a spectacular sunbath. The visitor of Playa Potrero will find a mix of beautiful beach scenes and abundant nature trails, all in one; also the tourist can enjoy the sun, sand, palm trees and a luxurious tropical forest, something unique for those looking to get the complete experience of the eco tourism in Costa Rica.

Due to its location (near the end of the so-called Costa Dorada) could be said that Playa Potrero is one of the places that has managed to remain in their natural environment, which allows the tourists to enjoy part of the varied natural beauty of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. At very short distance from Playa Potrero is located Playa La Penca, a well known beach among the local people for its white sand and calm seas. This is another great scene that you can enjoy during their visit.

Montezuma Beach is located on the southern area of the Nicoya Peninsula and has always been a small and remote fishing village until the 80s when it started to gain reputation of being the ideal site for all budgets because it is very near Cabo Blanco National Park, the Isla Tortuga and the Curu Wildlife Reserve. Today is a very popular tourist placing for young travelers both domestic and foreign people who like to enjoy the relaxed lifestyle of this town. Montezuma is a very relaxing place with a fresh atmosphere.

Montezuma is among the most popular holiday destinations due to their “hippie” lifestyle.  It is a great place to stay because of their lovely beaches, hotels and accommodations and a very good food that can be enjoyed for its restaurants. Despite this small town has a very calm atmosphere, is also a great holiday beach with a lot of young tourists. Montezuma after the sunset is the ideal place to be in the Nicoya peninsula because there are enough bars and discs for all the visitors. The whole place vibrates constantly with music and dancing, and you can find many people relaxing and enjoying.

Montezuma in Costa Rica

The beaches along the coast of Montezuma are very nice and clean, separated by rocks and with a large area for surfing, perfect for the tourists more interested in sea sports. However, one must be cautious because the tide can be very strong and dangerous, for that reason surfing can be quite difficult. Besides surfing and snorkeling in the reefs, the people also practice boggie on board and horseback riding that are just some of the activities that are popular here. If you want something more calm, visit more private beaches like Cocal, Cocalito anda Quizales and get a peaceful environment, ideal for relaxing.

When the tourist is in Montezuma can visit the beautiful waterfall Montezuma located just outside the town. With more than 50 feet in height, the waterfall is a very popular tourist attraction because a lot of people enjoy jumping into the waters that are not very deep. But it is important to notice that many people have been injured with the rocks that are below the water when they jump from the fall.

Always keep in mind that camping on the beaches of Montezuma is illegal, so get a room in one of the many accommodations that are here. Avoid visiting this region in high season because the cost of the rooms may be in some cases very high. However coming here definitely worth it. To get access to Montezuma the visitor need to take the ferry Puntarenas-Paquera and move to the place by car. In case you are in the area, take the route from San Pablo up to Playa  Naranjo, from there until Cobano  and then to Montezuma

With its 4787.79 square kilometers of territory, 42 linear miles of beach and lush forests, Parrita is no longer just a pass-tourist place to most famous areas like Jaco and Manuel Antonio. Now it has become a new tourist destination of great attraction mainly for lovers of the sun and the beach, ecotourism and adventure tourism.

Waves ideal for surfing, suspension bridges in the vastness of the forest, rivers and waterfalls of clean water, mangroves that are rich in species of plant and animals and some of the best scenery for horseback riding and mountain biking, is only part of what gives this place Costa Rica for the tourism. It is located in the heart of the Central Pacific.

With its approximately 13,000 inhabitants and a warm summer most of the year, Parrita is also a very important agricultural area with Large tracts of land dedicated to plantings of pineapple, rice, banana, watermelon and even the palm oil, whose important production is very known for the people of the country.
Parrita has entered with force to the tourism only a few years ago, but despite of that it has a lot of many amenities and services like food service with top quality.

Thanks to mass tourism have not yet discovered this beautiful destination of the Pacific, it is not difficult to observe wildlife, or enjoy the personal contact with nature and its beautiful views of the sea. The adventurers will also find in the area a wide range of options for raising his adrenaline in water, soil and air, as a climb of the canopy, one of the tallest in the country, flying in paragliding, enjoy kayak tours, and explore primary forests natural swimming pools with clear water. And if you do not want to miss the visit of Jaco and Manuel Antonio, Parrita is only 15 minutes to these destinations. Its residents and others call this place as the Ecuador in the Pacific because it is located in a privileged geographical site.

Parrita also offers visitors a unique spectacle. For example it has an interesting attraction since two years ago with his National Festival of Mules, an interesting career with the mules competing in pairs. This activity was declared of interest by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute. According with his main sponsor, this festival is a major attraction for the area because of its unique character. The mules compete in the so-called horse racing that is built of bamboo and ready to host this fun race, which takes place every year in late January.
The tourist cannot miss the opportunity of visiting this hot destination in the Pacific, which its own inhabitants see as a vein of gold, which is just beginning to show its beauty.