Outdoor Activities in Guanacaste

From noisy surf towns to untouched turtle beaches, Guanacaste is a top destination for the active spirit looking for adventure travel and outdoor activities. The province sits along the Pacific Coast of northwest Costa Rica, where the dry tropical climate fosters varied landscapes made for exploration. Toward the coast, you'll find surfing towns and sport fishing ports while to the east, the Guanacaste Mountains (otherwise known as the Cordilla de Guanacaste) feature national parks and calderas. Plus, with Liberia's international airport nearby, travel to this region couldn't be easier.

Nature Treks

Guanacaste is renowned for its biodiversity. Graced with golden beaches and resplendent rainforests, Guanacaste's outdoor activities come in masses. Take to the skies on a canopy tour, where you'll have a bird's-eye view of the jungle below. In this region, the top spots for zip-lining are Rincon de la Vieja National Park and in Artola (just inland from Playa Grande). Rappelling, rock climbing and even a ride on a Tarzan-like swing are all active pursuits that you can get into. To eye untouched nature, head to Las Baulas National Marine Park, famously home to the largest nesting colony of leatherback sea turtles in the world. On these beaches, more than 800 female turtles lay their eggs during nesting season. Hikers take advantage of the Samara Trails, a trail system within the 346-acre Werner Sauter Wildlife Refuge. Expect to see a variety of animals, including howler monkeys, crane hawks and red-eyed tree frogs.

First-Class Surfing

Spanning 200 kilometers along the Pacific Coast, Guanacaste is a surfer's heaven. You can find world-class breaks at Playa Negra, Playa Avellana and Witch's Rock, to name a few. Both beginners and expert shredders can hone their chops along these shores. Once a hidden gem, Playa Junquillal still caters to surfers looking for mid-size swells. If you're looking for a family beach, Playa Avellana caters to small, sensitive feet and curious minds due to its golden sands, just make sure you swim at low tide as that is the time where there are no waves.

Sport Fishing and White Water Rafting

The northern coastline of Guanacaste overlooks Papagayo Gulf, a top destination for sport fishing. Anglers have a field day reeling in mahi-mahi, yellow fin tuna and marlin, red snapper, jack crevalle, wahoo, roosterfish and mackeral. Most charter companies practice the catch and release system, which helps maintain the cycle of rich biodiversity. Guanacaste's white sand beaches are often regarded as one of Costa Rica's most beautiful, attracting sunbathers and laid-back spirits, while inland, you can discover class I and class II white water rafting. The rivers make for a day of adventure in Guanacaste, especially in the Rio Corobici near Cañas, which brims with beautiful scenery and wildlife.

Top Golf Courses

While most tourists come to Guanacaste for its fantastic weather and gorgeous beaches, some make their way for the world-class golf courses and resorts. Located along Guanacaste's famous beach front, these golf resorts offer wonderful oceanic views with first rate facilities and amenities. Hitting at these fairways is a treat for the avid golfer, since the tees are lush and green with some superb landscaping and design.

Map of Guanacaste

Click to enlarge map - Guanacaste Region Map

Visit the Lowland Plains (Pampas)

A fantastic destination, Guanacaste is a great province to tour as you can find plenty of wonderful outdoor activities. If you like, you can sit and relax along Guanacaste's many beautiful beaches, or head up north to the Santa Rosa National Park and the Guanacaste National Park for an amazing adventure. With plenty to do here, boredom isn't even the vocabulary. From swimming, snorkeling, diving, fishing and surfing to horseback rides, trekking, wildlife watching and historic landmarks, this province has it all.