Guanacaste: Activities, tours and attractions

Known as Costa Rica’s ‘Golden Coast’ – get ready to sun kiss your skin and relax at Guanacaste. You’ll be spoilt for choice for spots to catch some epic waves or to watch the sun sink over the horizon. Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste also boasts unspoilt habitats and dry rainforests up its sleeve. Dive into a range of national parks to admire eye-catching flora, fauna and animals.

The unique dry climate pretty much guarantees good weather, making it a once-in-a-lifetime destination to tick off a variety of activities. Immersive yourselves in popular towns in Guanacaste including Tamarindo, Nosara – a top place for yogis – and Samara. The friendly locals are living proof of a ‘Pura Vida’ lifestyle and it’s easy to see why this is a global Blue Zone area.

Top three things to do in Guanacaste

1. Visit the exotic Rincon de la Vieja National Park

Home to the active Rincon de la Vieja volcano, dry tropical jungle and some of Costa Rica’s best hiking trails – this national park is top-class. The popular Las Palias trail takes visitors past bubbling hot springs, boiling mud pots and breathtaking waterfalls too. It’ll be hard to resist a dip in the transparent pools. The park is home to armadillos, iguanas, howler monkeys and exotic birds too.

2. Enjoy the world-class coastlines of Tamarindo

Get to grips with Costa Rica’s feel-good atmosphere – known as ‘Pura Vida’ – at Tamarindo. Spend lazy mornings sipping on tasty local coffee and explore the town’s local markets, boutique stores and cosy cafes. Enjoy the white sands of Playa Langosta and learn to surf at Playa Grande. You might be lucky enough to see hatching leatherback turtles here. The fun doesn’t end thanks to Tamarindo’s vibrant nightlife.

3. Enjoy outdoor adventures and bucket-list activities

Water, land – or sky – Guanacaste is bursting with activities to try. Catch some waves and learn to surf or explore the underwater world of scuba diving. Playa Flamingo and Las Catalinas Islands are home to manta rays, turtles, seahorses, tropical fish and coral. Try horseback riding in Samara, galloping across glittery sands then into the tropical jungle. Inside the jungle, why not try a zipline experience or river rafting for unforgettable fun.