Easily accessible from Liberia International Airport, the province of Guanacaste boasts beautiful deserted beaches share the coastline with small beach hotels and mega-resorts offering deluxe accommodations. The ocean playground supplies the majority of activities in the area. Aside from an animated world underwater, the main wildlife attraction is sea turtle nesting at Playas Grande (Oct – Mar), Ostinal (July – Nov) and Nacite (Aug – Dec).

Away from the coast, the flat, arid land supports sugarcane and beef production while a series of parks and reserves bridges the coast to the Guanacaste volcano range to the east.

Santa Rosa National Park protects the last remaining tract of Dry Tropical forest in the Americas where the stark dryness forces animals to congregate at rivers and watering holes for easy viewing. Birders enjoy large migratory flocks from September to March.

This region is hot and desert-like and day trips to more verdant and tropical sites are long and tiresome. This area does contain spectacular beaches, fascinating natural attractions and a more “traditional” lifestyle. Explore with realistic expectations. Popular activities include scuba, snorkeling, windsurfing, sport fishing, sea kayaking, hiking and horseback riding.