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Guanacaste is a province in Costa Rica known for its gorgeous beaches, breathtaking views, stunning sunsets, and finer amenities. Whether you’re an adventure seeker or a luxury traveler, you’ll find plenty of unforgettable experiences to enjoy.

With beaches that are surrounded by mountains, Guanacaste is the hottest and driest province of Costa Rica. It is located on the Pacific Coast, in the north-most corner of Costa Rica. The land of eternal summer days, Guanacaste is a great destination all year long. In fact, Guanacaste’s name means “the Golden Coast”.

The Best Things to Do in Guanacaste

I’ve been lucky enough to call Guanacaste home for three years now! The opportunities for fun here are endless, but I’ve done my best to capture the most incredible things you can do in this captivating, coastal area and the best Guanacaste excursions.

As your local expert, here are the BEST activities to do in Guanacaste.

1. Boat around on a catamaran 🛥

A catamaran tour is a must-do when visiting the Pacific Ocean. For around $100 a person, you can enjoy a fresh lunch, bottomless drinks, snorkeling, and pristine beaches that are only accessible by boat. Catamarans are also a wonderful way to meet other travelers and local guides.

There are two kinds of Catamaran tours—a morning tour (leaving at about 8AM and returning at 12PM) or a sunset tour (12pm-6pm). Sunset tours enable you to watch the sun sink into the Pacific Ocean as it bids us goodnight! This truly is an unforgettable experience.

The amount of catamaran companies can be overwhelming, but here are my favorites as a seasoned catamaran-goer:

When booking a catamaran, be sure to check where it leaves from. Most tours leave from the Flamingo Marina or the Playas del Coco beach (which are about 45 minutes from each other). Select the tour you prefer (Morning or Sunset) and the correct number of people you are reserving for. Get ready for an incredible experience!

2. Scuba diving and snorkeling in Guanacaste 🐠

People come from all over the world to scuba dive at famous sites like Las Catalinas and North Island. Dive shops are scattered all over Guanacaste, offering classes for both PADI certified and non-certified divers.

Whether you choose to go on a snorkeling excursion or scuba diving, you have the possibility of seeing a variety of tropical fish, rays, sea turtles, octopuses and (with luck) even some small sharks!

Here are some of the best tours at Guanacaste’s most famous sites:

3. Sport fishing 🎣

Fancy trying your hand at some bigger game? In Guanacaste, you can reel in sailfish, marlin, yellowfin tuna, mahi mahi, rooster fish, snapper, and more! There are several companies to choose from, but some of the most trusted are Dream On Fishing Charters and Papagayo Sport Fishing.

4. Get a surf lesson! 🏄‍♂️

You can’t leave the Pacific Coast without catching some waves! Guanacaste is home to several beaches with ideal waves for surfers of all skill levels. Tamarindo, Playa Grande, and Playa Avellanas are all fantastic spots for a surf lesson. For seasoned surfers, there are two famous spots that you can reach by boat–Witch’s Rock (Roca Bruja) and Ollie’s Point.

5. Go on a horseback adventure 🐴

Is there anything more scenic than horseback riding on the beach? A horseback riding tour is a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the Costa Rican jungle. Keep an eye out for monkeys and iguanas as you explore the lush jungles and stunning coasts.

The tour below ends in Playa Conchal, one of Guanacaste’s most breathtaking beaches with powdery-white sand and crystal-clear waters.

6. All-Terrain Vehicle tours 🌴

Another popular activity is is exploring the jungle on an exhilarating ATV tour! This adventure takes you deep into areas of the jungle that are otherwise hard to reach. You may even get the chance to cool off in a local waterfall!

7. Visit the best beaches in Guanacaste, Costa Rica 🏖

Let’s be honest, the real reason you’re drawn to Guanacaste is the beaches! And who could blame you? Each beach has its own charm, but here are some of the most gorgeous ones the area has to offer:

Say hello to white sand and crystal-clear waters!

🔹 Playa Flamingo – Easily one of Guanacaste’s most beautiful beaches, Flamingo boasts white sand, turquoise water, and noteworthy waves! This beach is perfect for the entire family. You can rent tents for sun protection for the little ones, mom can get a beachside massage (yes, there are masseuses with massage tables stationed in the shade of the overhead trees!), and you can even get meals and snacks delivered from the nearby restaurants to you! Flamingo is about a 10 minute drive from the town of Potrero. Parking fills up here during Semana Santa (the week leading up to Easter) and months like December and January, so try to come early in the day to secure a spot!

🔹 Playa Conchal – Conchal will leave you raving! This beach’s name comes from the white sand, which is made of crushed pieces of pink and white seashells! The water is turquoise and absolutely breathtaking. Due to the transparent water and white sand, Conchal is also a wonderful place to snorkel off the beach!

🔹 Playa Ocotal – Located about 10 minutes from Coco Beach, Ocotal is a stunning beach with a mix of white and dark volcanic sand. Here you can find great spots for snorkeling on either side of the beach. There is a parking lot, a restaurant right on the sand, and plenty of shady spots to enjoy.

8. Catch a Pacific sunset 🌅

You can’t visit Guanacaste without experiencing its most beloved pastime: watching the sun disappear into the Pacific Ocean. The sunsets here are truly one of a kind! When visiting Guanacaste, make sure to watch at least one sunset from beginning to end.

Since Costa Rica is close to the equator, the sun typically sets at 6pm, but it’s always good to check the exact time. Arrive at your viewing destination about 45 minutes before sunset to watch the sky’s transformation, and stay for about 30 minutes after the sun disappears. That way you’ll soak up all the breathtaking colors as the Pacific sun bids you farewell.

For the best sunset views, head to the beach or a restaurant with an oceanfront view, like Sentido Norte in Las Catalinas and Patagonia del Mar in Brasilito.

9. Watch baby sea turtles hatch! 🐢

Guanacaste is one of the best places to see the hordes of turtles that come during nesting season. Watching baby sea turtles hatch or mother turtles come and lay their eggs in the sand is an unforgettable experience. These things happen at different times of year, and depend on the breed of turtle.

Leatherback Turtles nest from October until February and hatch from January until March. The best place to see them is at Las Baulas National Marine Park, near Tamarindo, about an hour and 20 minutes from the Liberia Airport.

The Pacific Olive Ridley Turtle can be seen at Ostional Wildlife Refuge. These turtles nest from August until October and then hatch from November to January. Ostional Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places in the world to see turtles, but it is a bit farther away from the typical Guanacaste destinations (about 2.5 hours from the Liberia Airport).

Book your tour on Get Your Guide below!

10. Palo Verde National Park boat tour 🐊

What better way to experience the wild side of Costa Rica than going on a boat safari? On this 1.5 hour tour you will have the opportunity to see crocodiles, monkeys, many different birds, iguanas, bats, and more! There are a couple different tours that you can choose from, such as a birding tour in the morning, a tour that also includes a traditional Costa Rican lunch, private boats tours, and more.

Although you can book a standard tour through Trip Advisor, I’ve noticed that the price is almost double what their actual website charges for booking the tour! Book directly with Palo Verde here.

11. La Leona Waterfall adventure 💦

12. Llanos de Cortes Waterfall experience 🏞

If you’re traveling with kids, Llanos de Cortes is a wonderful place to cool off when staying in Guanacaste. Pack sandwiches and spend the day at this pretty waterfall near Liberia. You’ll also enjoy them natural pools which can be found around the waterfall.

13. Boutique shopping in Tamarindo 🛍

Guanacaste’s biggest tourist destination, Tamarindo is known for its shopping, dining, and nightlife. It is also the go-to beach for surf lessons! If you are looking for a bit of “city life” or some one-of-a-kind souvenirs, you will want to check out Tamarindo.

Tamarindo is also known for its sprawling beach and gorgeous sunsets! While there are posh restaurants, the town itself is laid back, so you can spend the day alternating between sunbathing, shopping, and dining.

14. Poza Los Coyotes 💙

Poza Los Coyotes is Guanacaste’s most unique destination. This hidden gem is a local swimming hole, complete with waterfalls and canyons. It only costs about $4 to enter, and you can rent an inner tube for another $2!

Visiting Poza Los Coyotes is one of my favorite things to do when friends and family come visit. It’s great for adults and children alike! Poza Los Coyotes also has grills that can be used to to cook hotdogs or hamburgers. Pack a lunch and spend the day soaking in the bright blue water and enjoying the beautiful nature of Costa Rica.

15. Spend the day at Las Catalinas 🥂

Las Catalinas is a captivating and entirely walkable town overlooking the Pacific Coast. Here, you’ll discover restaurants, boutiques, cafés, and two pristine beaches. The streets of Las Catalinas are lined with breathtaking villas, each with their own charm.

Las Catalinas is one of the most instagram-able destinations in Costa Rica. You’ll find the perfect backdrop for your next profile picture!

16. Go on a Guanacaste day trip! 🚘

Guanacaste is perfectly located for easy day trips to major destinations like Rio Celeste, Rincon de la Vieja, or Bijagua, a rural mountaintop town.

🩵 Rio Celeste – Hike to the turquoise waterfall

Rio Celeste is the quintessential Costa Rican river with bright, turquoise water and a towering waterfall. Only about two hours from Liberia, this is an excursion you will not want to miss! The waterfall is located at the end of the trails in the National Park. While hiking, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the unbelievably blue water.

🌋 Rincon de la Vieja – Soak in the Guanacaste hot springs

Rincon de la Vieja is an active volcano, about an hour and a half from Liberia. There you can find a national park with views of smoking geysers and volcanic mud. You can also visit the natural hot springs, put on a volcanic mud mask, or hit the spa for relaxing massage. There are also several waterfalls in the area and many other activities to try such as canyoning (rock climbing up a waterfall), horseback riding, and zip lining! All these activities and more can be found at Hotel Hacienda Guachepelin.

🦋 Bijagua – Experience the rainforest

If you don’t have time to make it all the way to La Fortuna or Monteverde, but still want to experience the Costa Rican rainforest, check out Bijagua. This will cut down on your travel time, without sacrificing the lush green landscapes and cool climate.

Dining at ORIGINS Luxury Lodge makes for a fabulous day trip to Bijagua. You’ll feel immersed in the lush rainforest as you savor Costa Rica’s tropical flavors.

17. Escape to a nearby must-see destination 🛣

Guanacaste is an amazing destination for any length of time, but if you are hoping to see the rainforest and the beach on your trip to Costa Rica, you’ll want to pick a second place to visit.

When most people think of Costa Rica, they envision lush, green jungles teeming with tropical life. Monteverde and La Fortuna are your go-to destinations for this experience.

🌿 Monteverde

People come from all over the world to visit Monteverde. Here you will get to experience a true cloud forest, which are only found in a few places around the world! Because of the unique characteristics of this biome, Monteverde is rich in biodiversity! You’ll have plenty of opportunities to see rare animals, such as quetzals, toucans, monkeys, sloths, butterflies, hummingbirds, and more. Zip lining, canopy walks, hiking, and hanging bridges are also popular activities in this mountain-top town.

For a complete list of the best things to do in Monteverde, check out this post!

🌋 La Fortuna

La Fortuna, the town which contains the famous Volcano Arenal, is another world-renown destination. The climate here is very different from Guanacaste. You’ll find the scenery much greener and the air much cooler! You will see some animals that you may not have seen in Guanacaste, like toucans, morpho butterflies, sloths, and more! Here you will want to visit the natural hot springs and hike near the volcano.

Want to learn more about La Fortuna? Check out all there is to do in La Fortuna here!

Check out these destinations in the map of Guanacaste below:

Where to stay in Guanacaste? 🛏️

There are many charming beach towns to choose from, each with their own personality. My top favorites are Potrero, Playas del Coco, and Playa Hermosa.

If you intend on visiting the more southern beaches, like Flamingo and Tamarindo, I would suggest staying in Potrero.

However, if you plan to do more activities near Liberia, Coco Beach is a short 40 minutes’ drive from the airport and offers great restaurants and some nightlife.

Hermosa Beach is very near to Coco, but has a more laidback feel. It has wonderful restaurants, ranging from upscale to beach bars.

Final Thoughts on the Best Things to Do in Guanacaste

Guanacaste is the ultimate destination for both adventure and luxury seekers. From watching baby sea turtles hatch to surfing, there is something for everyone! It has everything you might need at your fingertips, without sacrificing an authentic Costa Rican experience. The activities available to you are unending and perfect for travelers of all ages!

Guanacaste is also home to some of Costa Rica’s most beautiful beaches and waterfalls. It is known to have the best weather year-around, enabling you to plan your trip confidently, no matter if it’s rainy or dry season!

Finally, there are plenty of day trips to take advantage of within Guanacaste, and it is also close to some of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations like Monteverde and La Fortuna.

Guanacaste is one of Costa Rica’s most beloved destinations, by locals and travelers alike! There is so much to love in the coastal province.

Looking to explore Costa Rica at your own pace? Enjoy 10% off your car rental with Costa Rica’s most trustworthy company.

Have you planned to see a volcano yet? Arenal is less than three hours away!

Check out the Ultimate Guide to La Fortuna/Arenal.

Don’t leave Costa Rica without experiencing the rainforest! Monteverde is just 3 hours away!

Check out the Ultimate Guide to Monteverde.

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