North Guanacaste harbors an important portion of the costa rican cultural and natural patrimony. Not in vain there is a significant number of protected areas, including coastal, mountainous, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems, where life develops with exuberance.
It is situated in the northern part of the country, and covers the pacific coast of Costa Rica, since the limit with Nicaragua to Punta Cerritos, located 22 km. west from de city of Santa Cruz. It covers an extension of approximately 100 km. of the Pacific Coast. In the past, this region has had its natural vocation in the cattle raising and in the agriculture. Currently, nevertheless, the incomparable beauty of its landscapes, that go from the tropical dry forest to the forest montano low and its hot climate, as well as its fertile nature, have done of Guanacaste one of the most concurred places by the local and international tourism. Besides an important backup in the Pole of Tourist Development of the Papagayo's Gulf, there is the Daniel Oduber International, where a large quantity of flights arrives charter and regular flights from the United States.
North Guanacaste has two main tourist centers that are Liberia (central of stopover distribution, scale and excursion) and Santa Cruz, and three other tourist centers: El Coco, Tamarindo and Flamingo. The landscape of the coast is exceptional. There are beaches of white sands and a peaceful sea qualified by intense blue, especially the ones located inside Papagayo's Gulf (Nacascolo, Virador, Iguanita and Panama). It is one of the regions of greater development, based on hotels of high investment with potentiality of direct demand.
ACTIVITIES
The possible tourist activities to develop are diverse; they can relate to the vacation, the health, the culture, adventure and nature thus with recreational and sports aspects.
HORSEBACK RIDING
A pastoral region, Guanacaste offers this activity in coastal areas and in the mountains and their communities. Horseback-riding tours are available through tourism operators or family-owned farms that rent horses.
HIKING
There is no end to the diversity of hiking options available for observing various natural, historical, architectural, cultural, religious and commercial attractions.
RECREATIONAL CYCLING
The region offers a variety of picturesque roads and adventure or leisure sites that allow touring on regular or mountain bikes. Beaches and mountains are among the most interesting riding destinations.
ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC SITES
There are sites and buildings of architectural or historic interest and National Monuments that are considered must-see places, mainly in Abangares, Bagaces, Cañas, Liberia, Santa Cruz and Nicoya.
CUISINE
Typical towns are characterized by sodas (small restaurants serving local food), cafes and restaurants where visitors can sample the cuisine of Guanacaste. Cañas, Tilarán, Liberia and mainly Santa Cruz stand out as communities with traditions in typical food and drink.
BIRD-WATCHING
Bird-watching is possible mainly in protected areas. Many sites offer the opportunity to “get with the birds,” with Palo Verde, Curú, Isla Bolaños and Tenorio among the biggest.
TREETOP ADVENTURES
There are several options for visitors to observe the goings-on in the forest canopy, including various monkey and bird species.
PHOTOGRAPHY
This is a most popular tourist activity owing to Guanacaste’s climatic conditions and wealth of flora and fauna, as well as its varied natural, cultural and architectural landscapes.
DIVING
This adventure or recreational activity is becoming more and more popular in Guanacaste, thanks to its excellent dive sites and the specialized companies that normally offer services abroad. Important sites include the Gulf of Papagayo and the Santa Catalina islands.
SHOPPING FOR HANDICRAFTS
The handicrafts of Guaitil de Santa Cruz and San Vicente de Nicoya are made of pure clay using the traditional and ancient techniques of the Chorotega indigenous group. Ornaments, urns, flowerpots, vases, plates, decorative whistles and other figures are fashioned and may be bought for their fine finish and interest in several parts of Guanacaste. Visitors can also acquire other kinds of handicrafts fashioned out of jícaro (a kind of gourd) or the thipa plant, from which various paper products are made.
SPORT-FISHING
This is one of the Northern Pacific region’s main attractions. Artisan and recreational fishing are possible, but of greater interest are the tournaments in which several world billfish records have been broken. The fish are returned to the water after weigh-in.
CULTURAL ACTIVITIES
Throughout the year, communities in the region celebrate various historical, religious, sporting, civic or artistic activities.
JANUARY 10. Patron saint’s feast, Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, Santa Cruz
FEBRUARY Last weekend in February. Civic festivals in Liberia
APRIL Good Friday. Lagarteada (crocodile hunt) in Ortega de Bolsón, Santa Cruz
JULY 25. Nicoya Chorotega Tourism Expo-fair and Expoliberia, Guanacaste 25. Anniversary of the annexation of Nicoya Peninsula
AUGUST 1. Pilgrimage to Cartago 2. Virgin of the Angels Day 24. National Parks Day
SEPTEMBER 7. Cultural Week, “Liberia, the White City”
NOVEMBER Second Sunday. Día del Sabanero y Cocineras (Cowboy and Cooks Day) at Hacienda Santa Rosa
DECEMBER 11-12. Feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe, Nicoya 24. Procession of the Valdelomar Baltodano family’s Baby Jesus to La Ermita de Nuestro Señor de la Agonía, Liberia 25. Christmas
RURAL TOURISM ACTIVITIES AND SERVICES
Rural tourism activities and services offered in the North Guanacaste and their corresponding locations within the region are as follows:
Ecoturismo Bolsón is located in the town of Bolsón and provides lodging services in the homes of the Ortega and Bolsón families, which are well equipped to receive tourists. Activities: Río Tempisque and Palo Verde National Park tours for observing crocodiles, birds, monkeys and more.
Located in Santa Bárbara de Santa Cruz, adjacent to the Colegio, Casa del Sol is a project promoting solar energy use. Activities: Sampling food prepared with solar energy.
ATTRACTIONS
PLAYA PUERTO SOLEY
Located in the northern part of Guanacaste, on wide, beautiful Bahía Salinas, this beach is very popular among residents of nearby La Cruz. The surf here is moderate, the sand soft. Famous for its sunsets, this beach invites visitors to walk along the shore and take in the splendor of the bay and Isla Bolaños.
PLAYA COYOTERA
This is a large beach, in front of which lies Isla Bolaños. The island can be visited by boat or kayak. A great place to windsurf during windier months, this beach is ideal for relaxing, walking and horseback riding, as well as exploring nearby places on mountain bikes.
PLAYA RAJADA
Gentle surf makes this a perfect beach for swimming and relaxing in the shade of its lush trees. Rajada is also excellent for walking and photography.
PLAYA JOBO
Set in a beautiful, sheltered cove with little surf, this beach’s breathtaking scenery is complemented by its coastal greenery. It’s a great place to swim, relax and contemplate, as well as enjoy the plant and bird life.
BAHÍA CUAJINIQUIL
Sheltered from winds, this bay’s main attraction is a beautiful mangrove swamp. It’s a popular place with fishermen, who find it a safe place for their boats.
PLAYA BLANCA
Located within Santa Rosa National Park's Murciélago sector, this beach is on the Santa Elena Peninsula, the geologically oldest region in Costa Rica. The lovely bay is bordered in the south by the Fila Carrizal mountain range, which stretches to Cabo Santa Elena. Abundant coastal greenery, ample space and calm waters make this an ideal place for relaxing, walking, swimming and observing the fascinating plant and bird life. Nearby beaches may also be visited, such as Santa Elena and El Hachal. Camping is permitted near the park's administrative office, 17 kilometers from the beach.
PLAYA PRIETA
This small, clear-water bay, 400 meters long, is located near Playa Virador. Like Virador and Playa Blanca, Prieta is great for swimming, sunbathing and relaxing while taking in the lovely, peaceful scenery.
PLAYA NARANJO
This long beach is located 12 kilometers from Santa Rosa National Park's administrative office. Its northern stretch features a tongue of dark sand surrounded by ocean and river mouths that form a wide estuary and mangrove swamp rich in plant and animal species. The beach is perfect for walking and taking in the magnificent scenery, which includes Peña de la Bruja, a rocky island popular with surfers. Camping is permitted.
PLAYA BLANCA AND PLAYA VIRADOR
With crystalline waters and gentle surf, Playa Blanca is located near Punta Mala inside Bahía Culebra. Along with other beaches, Blanca forms the Gulf of Papagayo tourism project. From this 960-meter-long beach, Playa Monte del Barco and Playa Chorotega can be seen across the way. Together, Playa Blanca and neighboring Playa Virador form a narrow natural bridge that connects them to Punta Mala. Set in a lovely cove with white sand and crystal-clear waters, Virador is great for swimming and diving.
PLAYA NACASCOLO
With clear water and gentle surf ideal for swimming, walking and diving, this beach is well frequented by tourists arriving in boats from various nearby hotels or water transportation companies. Its indisputable beauty makes Nacascolo a great place to walk along the water's edge and explore the small estuary at its southern end.
PLAYA IGUANITA
A beautiful beach at the back of Bahía Culebra, Iguanita is bordered to the north and south by two rocky points. To the south flows the Quebrada Grande, which empties into the Iguanita estuary, forming a dense mangrove swamp.
PLAYA MONTE DEL BARCO
This small beach is located between two points that give it shelter, providing a lovely environment for relaxing and swimming. From the slopes and top of the neighboring hill, visitors can see all the splendor of Bahía Culebra—spectacular at sunset. Monte del Barco has been awarded the Blue Flag.
PLAYA CHOROTEGA (PANAMÁ)
A large, fine-sand beach with little surf, Chorotega is fringed by mainly brazilwood, manchineel and mesquite trees. A small mangrove swamp occupies the Rocha estuary. Popular for swimming, relaxing, walking and camping, the beach is frequented by families wishing to enjoy the beautiful maritime landscape that stretches to the white beaches on the other side of Bahía Culebra.
PLAYA HERMOSA
Around two kilometers long, this lovely gray-sand beach is located between two mountainous points. To the south, in front of Punta Cacique, are Isla Pelona and Isla Montosa. With little surf and abundant coastal greenery, this Blue Flag beach is excellent for swimming, sunbathing, beautiful sunsets, water sports (including diving) walking and horseback riding.
PLAYAS DEL COCO
With a long tradition, this is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica. Located in a bay with little surf, it is highly suitable for swimming and boat anchorage. Its gray sands stretch for almost three kilometers. To the south is Punta Centinela, which features a white-sand cove. Playas del Coco offers a wide range of services that allow tourists to enjoy all kinds of recreational and sporting activities, including sport-fishing, diving and boat tours. The beach is also great for walking and horseback riding.
PLAYA OCOTAL
Set in a cove bordered by hills, this beach has gray sand and little surf. At its southern end is Punta Cirial, surrounded by crystalline waters. This beach is ideal for swimming, sunbathing and water sports such as diving and sport-fishing, which are offered in various parts of the region. Magnificent views of the Gulf of Papagayo are enjoyable from the heights of the adjacent hills. South of Ocotal is a smaller cove called Bahía Azul or Pez Vela (Blue or Sailfish Bay), known for its sport-fishing camp. Ocotal is a Blue Flag beach.
GUANACASTE CULTURAL EXPRESSION
Guanacaste is known for its music, which is the most popular form of artistic expression in the province. “Music is an important character to be respected and appreciated,” and seems to be a natural ability among Guanacaste's sabaneros.
As a complement to music, Guanacaste's traditional dances have been preserved throughout time like oral tradition, and are the truest representation of what social and cultural life once was in the Guanacaste province. Greatly influenced by the Andalusian zapateado from Spain, dances include El Punto Guanacasteco, Los Amores de Laco, La Cajeta, La Flor de Caña, El Torito, El Zapateado, El Pavo and La Botijuela, among others.
One of Guanacaste's most important staples, corn is the base of many of the region's typical foods and beverages: tortillas guanacastecas, tanelas, tayuyas, tamales, pisques, tamal dulce, arroz de maíz, nacatamales, rosquillas, bizcochos, pozol, atol, chicheme, chicha, pinol and more.
Most houses have clay ovens, in which all kinds of breads and many of the foods above are baked. It's interesting to know how some of these foods are prepared, such as arroz de maíz, made with white corn soaked and then ground—in the old days—by hand on metates (table-shaped stones, with stone pestles used for grinding); today this dish is made in machines, cooked with lard, seasonings and chicken broth, and made only from yellow corn.
As for beverages, there's pinol, made from finely ground white corn roasted on a comal (a cast-iron plate used for baking tortillas). Chicha de maíz is prepared differently in several parts of the country; in Guanacaste, this beverage is made by browning and grinding the corn, adding a fair amount of pallastón, brown sugar and ginger, then allowing the mixture to ferment in earthenware jars for two to three days. Chicheme is a nutritious beverage popular at parties and prayer groups. This drink is an atol de maíz (a thick, hearty beverage made from corn) that is allowed to ferment naturally, with sugar, ginger, water and ground cloves added to it. Key places to enjoy these foods and beverages are the markets in Liberia and Nicoya, and the famous Cooperativa de Mujeres (Women's Cooperative) in Santa Cruz.
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