It’s possible to hike up to the summit, but it takes 7 hours for a total of just over 10 miles. Because of its central location, tourists often base themselves here and explore Guanacaste over a number of days. The water is warm year-round. Younger crowds enjoy the local bars and discotheques. The best time of year to see humpback whales in Costa Rica Southern humpback whales arrive in Costa Rica in great numbers beginning in July and ending in November. Look for crocodiles sunbathing on the river bank and a variety of wading bird species. can be observed at night as they visit the beach. Home » Tons! All of the hotels on Flamingo Beach sit on a beautiful cliff overlooking the beach and ocean below. The different beaches in the area offer a variety of activities for those who want to spend their time in the sand and the sun. Langosta Beach, just south of Tamarindo, is known for its white sand, relaxed atmosphere, and the absence of development. Marlin and Sailfish are some of the highlights of Tamarindo sportfishing. Tamarindo Beach is a long beach with great waves. The climate in this part of Costa Rica is mild for a beach area. The 18-hole Arnold Palmer Signature Golf Course is also situated on the peninsula capturing breathtaking views of the Pacific. Palo Verde National Park is known for its wetlands with a large population of aquatic bird species and its tropical dry forests. See which places our readers like the best, and vote for your favorites. Beautiful Beaches A 4 hour drive from the capital city of San Jose, Manzanillo is south of the famous Cahuita National Park and is among the most scenic beaches in Costa Rica, with fantastic weather all year round. Visit top-rated & … 10 Best Things to Do at Tamarindo Beach. Expect lots of sun! Find the most popular adventures, water activities, boat tours, sightseeing tours Home » Destinations » Best Things to Do in Guanacaste The province of Guanacaste is situated on Costa Rica’s northwest shoulder, bordered by … Best Sea Turtle Nesting Sites: Where To Go When, 10 Best Costa Rica Diving and Snorkeling Spots, Best Places for Sportfishing in Costa Rica, Westin Playa Conchal All Inclusive Resort and Spa, Top 4 Costa Rica Cloud Forest Destinations. Since most hotels are on the coast, this is the best region for water sports. Your Costa Rica vacation might include adventures like whitewater rafting, a rainforest canopy tour, relaxing at the beach, or exploring the rainforest from one of Costa Rica's ecolodges. With over 30 years of experience, we make the difference between a good trip and a lifetime memory. Just west of Liberia lies the exclusive Peninsula Papagayo. Growing in popularity, the region’s “Gold Coast” boasts a variety of beautiful beaches and rich culture. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. Playa Hermosa Tourism: Tripadvisor has 14,194 reviews of Playa Hermosa Hotels, Attractions, and Restaurants making it your best Playa Hermosa resource. Guanacaste is also known to be windy from time to time. Rincon de la Vieja National Park is famous for Rincon de la Vieja Volcano, it’s active crater, and the active landscape of geysers, mud pots, hot springs, and fumaroles surrounding them. It begins at the park entrance and leads you along some of the bubbling landscape. Explore this fascinating ecosystem by kayak with a professional guide, who can point out the unique species that live here. Established in 1971, Santa Rosa National Park was the first national park in Costa Rica. This hotel is the best alternative for meetings or presentations in Costa Rica. Insider's Pick: The Beaches! One of the nicest trails within the park is the 1.75-mile Las Pailas loop. Related Article: Best Places for Sportfishing in Costa Rica. The leatherback sea turtle, the largest in the world, returns to Playa Grande each year to bury its eggs in the sand. Related Article: Best Beaches in Costa Rica. Nearly all of Conchal Beach backs up to the Westin Playa Conchal Resort complex. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in February. Fishing in Tamarindo is generally great all year, but Billfish are most abundant mid-April to August. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. Buy a second home or vacation property in Guanacaste. Additionally, JW vacationers enjoy the amenities of Hacienda Pinilla, an exclusive resort and residential community featuring golf, tennis, stables, a beach club, and various dining options. Las Baulas National Marine Park encompasses about 1,100 acres of beach and coast and over 54,400 maritime acres. It’s a roughly tw0-hour hike each way to reach Rio Celeste Waterfall. You’ll find plenty of bars and local restaurants along the main strip as well as excellent hotel restaurants. By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. Related Article: Best Sea Turtle Nesting Sites: Where To Go When. Just 30 minutes north of Tamarindo Beach, Grande Beach is a quieter beach known for the Leatherback Sea Turtles that come to lay their eggs. Take your pick in Guanacaste. Cancun is at the center of some of the world's best warm-water diving. The main attraction of this tiny town is its fabulous white sand beach strip that is lined with palm trees, and is bathed in the calm and gentle waters of the Caribbean Sea. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. Related Article: Best Beaches in Costa Rica. Without a doubt, there’s one thing that seems to have the greatest draw for this boomtown – surfing. Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, By clicking “Accept”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. It was initially founded to preserve La Casona, a ranch house celebrated for its role in Costa Rica’s independence. Today, it’s also known for its dry forest, beautiful beaches, birding, and surf. A guide will drop you off at one or two (weather dependent) prime snorkel spots and point out the best spots to see fish and other underwater wonders! Five-hour half-day and 7-hour full day fishing charters are available. Explore the Tamarindo Mangrove Estuary by kayak or boat, travel to Rincon de la Vieja National Park for a volcano hike or waterfall tour, take a Sunset Sail & Snorkel Catamaran cruise, enjoy a horseback ride at nearby Playa Conchal, visit Rio Perdido for a day of zip-lining and hot springs. Costa Rica Experts is the leading authority on Costa Rica vacations. Waterproof sunscreen, sandals, a sunhat, and beach vibes. Guanacaste Costa Rica’s dry, flat plains merge with tropical dry forests to create landscapes akin to the American “wild west” and African savannas. There are hiking trails within the park. See why Guanacaste is Costa Rica's hottest real estate investment location. The region’s best resorts and beaches are just an hour away by car. Guanacaste offers a variety of marine sports and activities. The breaks in the area are some of the best in the world, as evidenced by the several international surfing competitions held here every year. Home » The remote Rio Celeste Waterfall is a naturally occurring brilliant turquoise waterfall within Tenorio Volcano National Park. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. 1-800-606-1860 Excellent 9.7 Customized Costa Rica Vacations, since 1999. So, of course, our favorite ones are in the best cities, delivering world-class service and experiences at affordable rates. The nearby brown sands of Matapalo Beach host the guests of the all-inclusive RIU Guanacaste and RIU Palace which has created a more private resort experience for its visitors. Playa Tamarindo is a popular surfing destination, spread out beside the fast-growing beach town that was once a quiet fishing community, while the neighboring white sands of Langosta Beach are quieter and better suited to swimming. Nancite Beach is one of two locations in Costa Rica where Olive Ridley Sea Turtles come to shore for the annual arribada or mass sea turtle nesting. COVID-19 information for our clients Yes! This park is remote with over 300 species of tropical birds and alluvial planes from the Tempisque River attracting over 250,000 species of migratory geese, ducks, and other waterfowl. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Enter Costa Rica is your source for Costa Rica vacation and travel planning. Just north of Tamarindo, between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande, is a maze of estuary waterways. Tamarindo is a busy area with lots to eat for travelers. Sportfishing and scuba diving are world class here but don’t think that is all. Additionally, there are waterfalls, a lake, and wildlife to be found within the park. All Rights Reserved. JW Marriott is a large beachfront luxury resort in Guanacaste, Costa Rica. The province of Guanacaste is situated on Costa Rica’s northwest shoulder, bordered by Nicaragua in the north and the Nicoya Peninsula in the south. Costa Rica Experts © 2021. Best Things to Do in Guanacaste. Other popular beaches in the area include Coconut Beach and Hermosa Beach. The half-day tour is generally best for inshore fishing, where anglers might reel in Roosterfish, Snapper, and Amberjack. Tamarindo combines with several other beaches in the Guanacaste area, as well as Arenal, Monteverde, Bagaces, and Nosara. Between November and April, the largest of all living sea turtles dig meter-deep pits and bury their eggs before returning to the sea. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. The Daniel Oduber International Airport – one of two international airports in Costa Rica – is located in Guanacaste’s capital city of Liberia. Within Guanacaste Costa Rica is the popular town of Tamarindo which offers impressive restaurants and a bustling nightlife. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Related Article: Best Costa Rica Surf Spots. This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. The vibe of Tamarindo is best described as “Party and Play.” Great swimming, surf, fishing, and water sports during the day, buzzing nightlife come sunset. With over 30 years of experience, we make the difference between a good trip and a lifetime memory. The beautiful beaches are popular thanks to the consistency of the waves, and the town is a perfect jumping-off location for beach and point breaks along the coast. It is named for the leatherback sea turtles (baulas) that return to lay their eggs each year at Grande Beach. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Conchal Beach, as the name suggests, was once composed primarily of crushed seashells, but have since been removed to be utilized in building and construction projects. The currents here can be strong so watch the posted advisories when swimming, but much of Tamarindo Beach is perfect for those just learning how to surf. The main boulevard includes various boutiques and art galleries. However you may visit Cookie Settings to provide a controlled consent. Join 10k+ in receiving Expert travel advice, news & promotions! This beach can feel totally secluded at times, with beautiful sunsets and fascinating tidal pools – a popular beach for families! Tamarindo is a beach destination in Costa Rica’s dry region, Guanacaste. All Rights Reserved. The beaches of Tamarindo are some of the most popular in Costa Rica. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 Just south lie the grey-sands of Hermosa Beach which translates to “beautiful beach.” The waters here are generally calm making it a great family vacation spot. All-inclusive hotels in Playa Hermosa, Costa Rica, are known for their restaurants, tours, and snorkeling. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience. Ed #2798 Oficina #8 The park also has the only scarlet macaw colony to permanently inhabit a dry forest. Barrio La California, Black sand, white sand, pink sand or shell. Tours generally occur at night and must be organized with a guide to preserve these fragile ecosystems and keep the turtles coming back each year. A guide will drop you off at one or two (weather dependent) prime snorkel spots and point out the best spots to see fish and other underwater wonders! Since 1991 ScubaCaribe has grown into a premiere provider of diving, snorkeling, tours and watersports in the world's best beach destinations. It's great for those who want resort-style amenities on a less-crowded beach. Sea turtles can also be seen nesting ashore Naranjo and Nancite Beach within the park. 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