Guanacaste Vacation Packages

Guanacaste Offers Some of the Best Beachfront and All-Inclusive Resorts in Costa Rica!

Guanacaste offers some of the best hotels and resorts in Costa Rica. The Gold Coast is home to more beachfront and all-inclusive resorts than any other region. The Westin Playa Conchal Resort and Dreams Las Mareas Resort are the most luxurious all-inclusive resorts in the country. The Flamingo Beach Resort and Casa Conde del Mar are both affordable hotels with optional all-inclusive plans. Barcelo Langosta Resort is another AI resort that offers the convenience of in-town location in the Langosta section of Tamarindo. Also in Tamarindo, the Diria Hotel is located beachfront in the center of town. Further down the coast in Carrillo, the Nammbu Hotel offers an off-the-beaten-path tropical boutique beach hotel experience. Guanacaste is home to scores of other great hotels and resorts, so give us a call if you would like additional information, 1-866-853-9426 ext.1.

Guanacaste Tours and Activities

Whether you want to learn how to surf, zip through the canopy treetops, or take a romantic sunset cruise, there are plenty of activities and things to do in Guanacaste. The ocean takes center stage on the Gold Coast. Learn how to ride the waves with a surf lesson in Tamarindo. Explore the bottom of the sea while scuba diving off at the Catalinas Islands. Go on a romantic sunset cruise and snorkel off the Flamingo coast. If you prefer inland adventures such as canopy zip line or whitewater tubing, head up to Rincon de la Vieja for a full day of adventure at one of the haciendas. Whatever your pleasure, Guanacaste offers plenty of ways to make your vacation extraordinary!

What areas should I combine with Guanacaste on my Costa Rican vacation?

Guanacaste is a great addition to your Costa Rica vacation, but if you want to make the most of your stay, you'll probably want to add another destination or two. Some of the most popular combinations include Arenal Volcano for hot springs, adventure, and rainforest or Monteverde for cloud forest, canopy exploration, and bird watching. 

Most visitors to Guanacaste combine their stay with at least a few days at Arenal Volcano. Arenal is Costa Rica's top attraction after all and for good reason! In addition to the breathtaking conical volcano, there is more to see and do here than anywhere else in Costa Rica. Arenal offers the best adventure activities and guides. You can go on adventures such as canopy zip line, whitewater rafting, waterfall canyoning, horseback or ATV riding, tubing, cave exploration and more. Nature lovers can take safari floats or riverboat rides to see wildlife. You can hike through the canopy treetops at the Arenal Hanging Bridges or through the jungle at the base of Arenal Volcano. Of course, you can't forget the hot springs! Imagine exploring all that Arenal has to offer by day and relaxing in volcanic hot springs by night. Arenal is around four hours drive from most Guanacaste beaches. Most visitors stay there for 3 - 4 nights before winding down at the beaches of Guanacaste.

Monteverde is another popular destination to combine with Guanacaste. The lush green cloud forests are an amazing site to see. Exotic and endangered wildlife inhabit the enchanting forests. Canopy hangings bridges provide a unique way to explore the treetops in search rare highland bird species such as Quetzals, Toucanettes, and Bellbirds. Thrill seekers can quench their taste for adventure on some of the best canopy zip line courses in the world! Monteverde is around 3 - 4 hours drive from most Guanacaste beaches. Most visitors stay 2 - 3 nights before heading to the beach.

The Rio Celeste is another rainforest option with a gorgeous waterfall. The turquoise blue colored Rio Celeste Waterfall is considered by many to be the prettiest waterfall in Central America. Located in Tenorio National Park, the brilliantly blue falls are surrounded by lush emerald green jungle. Rio Celeste is 3+ hours from the Guanacaste beaches, and most visitors stay there for two nights.

Rincon de la Vieja is in Guanacaste, but we'll separate it as most visitors prefer to use it as a stand-alone destination for a couple of nights before heading to the beach. Rincon de la Vieja is a volcano and National Park located north of Liberia. There are several adventure ranches in the area. Favorite activities include canopy zip line, horseback riding, whitewater tubing, cowboy for a day, and volcanic mud baths. While there are hot springs, most visitors pass on them as it is so hot. Rincon de la Vieja is within a couple of hours drive of most Guanacaste beaches, and most visitors stay there for 2 - 3 nights.

While Manuel Antonio is another beach destination, beach lovers often combine it with Guanacaste to see rainforest and wildlife. Manuel Antonio is on Costa Rica's mountainous and jungle-covered Central Pacific coast. In addition to palm studded beaches, there is a national park with loads of wildlife and lush jungle. Unlike most other beach destinations, there are plenty of adventure activities available in Manuel Antonio such as canyoning down waterfalls, whitewater rafting, canopy zip line, horseback riding, and much more. Manuel Antonio is 4 - 5 hours from most Guanacaste beaches, but a great addition for beach lovers that want a little more out of their Costa Rican vacation. Most visitors stay 3 - 5 nights before heading to Guanacaste. 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long should I visit?

Most visitors to Guanacaste stay 3 - 5 nights. 

Is Guanacaste "Americanized"?

While Guanacaste undoubtedly still maintains its Costa Rican roots and heritage, popular beach areas such as Tamarindo, Hermosa, Conchal, Flamingo, and Papagayo are considered by many to be Americanized. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing though as you’ll find the best of both worlds.

When will I find the best prices?

May through November

What is the weather like?

Guanacaste is the driest region of Costa Rica. It is so dry that is considered tropical dry forest. Daytime temperatures are usually between 85 - 95 degrees with overnight temps around 15 degrees lower. The driest months are December through April, but May through mid-August are also pleasant times to visit. Even in September and October, most days will only receive a couple of hours of rain.

Which airport should I use?

Liberia Airport (LIR) is conveniently located right in Guanacaste. Tamarindo, Conchal, Flamingo, Hermosa, and Papagayo are all located within an hour drive. San Jose Airport (SJO) is 4+ hours from most Guanacaste beach areas. El Jobo is the farthest at around 6 hours.

Where should I go in Guanacaste?

Choosing a place to go in Guanacaste should be relatively easy. Tamarindo is the most visited beach town with shops, restaurants, bars, and beautiful swimming and surfing beaches. Conchal and Flamingo are 15 and 20 minutes north of Tamarindo in quieter areas with beautiful swimming beaches. Samara and Carrillo are further off the beaten path, often described as what Tamarindo was like 20 years ago. Both provide gorgeous swimming and surfing beaches, though Samara is better for those learning to surf. Playa Hermosa is a quiet little town with swimming beaches to visit near Liberia Airport. Hermosa is often used in place of an airport hotel as it is so close and who wouldn't prefer a beach hotel over an airport hotel? The Papagayo Gulf is home to more all-inclusive resorts than any other place in Costa Rica and also close to the airport. El Jobo and Bahia Salinas are ideal for windsurfing. Rincon de la Vieja is an excellent stop for inland adventure for a couple of nights.

Where is Guanacaste?

The Guanacaste Province is in northwestern Costa Rica, in the tropical dry forests of Costa Rica. Most visitors come for the beautiful beaches along the western coast, extending from the Nicoya Peninsula north to the Nicaraguan border.