The Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica is home to some of the country’s most beautiful and expansive beaches along Costa Rica’s north Pacific Coast. The colors alone are striking: sparkling blue waves crashing on black volcanic sand, edged by lush green forests. This northwest corner of Costa Rica is one of the most popular tourist areas in a country known for its eco diversity and adventure tourism.

The Guanacaste area is easily accessible to travelers via some 20 airlines into the Liberia Airport. Many of the Pacific resorts at the northern end of the Nicoya Peninsula are within an hour’s drive of the airport. If visitors are coming from San Jose – Costa Rica’s capital and other international airport – a new road to Puntarenas takes about an hour and a half, then an hour ferry across the Golfo de Nicoya lands in the central section of the Nicoya Peninsula. The southern part of the peninsula remains quite secluded and challenging for the casual tourist to reach.

The Beaches of Gunancaste

Guanacaste has experienced a tremendous development boom of luxury resorts and hotels because of its relatively recent international accessibility, but many quaint fishing villages along the coast retain their innate Tico (Costa Rican) charm. The Pacific coast of the Nicoya Peninsula is a favorite of surfers for the world class surf breaks, bird watchers for the incredible array of winged wildlife and beach connoisseurs who want to discover the endless coves and pristine shorelines. Accommodations range from the exclusive, ultra-luxury resorts in the planned development of Papagayo to small, intimate hotels along unspoiled coves.

The Volcanoes of Guanacaste

The eastern boarder of the Guanacaste region is lined with a chain of volcanoes that provide endless hiking and naturalist opportunities and lovely views of the countryside. Visitors can see stunning waterfalls, rushing rivers and the diverse flora and fauna of the surrounding tropical rainforest. Arenal, the most famous volcano of the chain, erupted dramatic rivers of red hot lava daily from 1968 until 2010, but since then has only produced gas emissions. It is still categorized as active, but for now is not producing the fiery display that it did for 42 years.

Costa Rica has many natural attractions in addition to the beautiful beaches, volcanoes and wildlife of Guanacaste, but Guanacaste is a must when you visit this eco-friendly, bio-diverse country. To plan your trip, contact the expert advisors at Covington Travel.