Top things to do  ·  Costa Rica

Top things to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Dry-forest coast with volcano parks an hour inland and a direct airport at Liberia

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Best months December to April (dry season on the Pacific coast)Fly into LIR, Daniel Oduber Quiros International Airport (Liberia), opened 1995

Guanacaste is Costa Rica’s northwest province, the driest part of the country, with the Papagayo Peninsula’s 24 km coastline about 45 minutes from Liberia airport. Rincon de la Vieja volcano, Palo Verde wetlands and the surf breaks of Santa Rosa are all day-trip distance.

01
Rincon de la Vieja, Las Pailas sector · family

Volcano hike

A short, mostly flat loop past boiling mud pots and fumaroles about 25 km from Liberia; the summit trail is closed.

02
Witch's Rock Canopy Tour, near Papagayo · adventure

Zipline canopy tour

A zipline course just outside the Andaz and Four Seasons gates through dry forest canopy.

03
Tamarindo · adventure

Surf lesson

Beach-break waves suited to beginners with schools on the sand; boat trips reach Witch’s Rock for experienced surfers.

04
Tempisque River · family

Palo Verde river safari

Boat tours through the wetland park for crocodiles, monkeys and waterbirds; best in the dry season when wildlife concentrates.

05
Tenorio Volcano National Park · adventure

Rio Celeste waterfall hike

A roughly two-hour hike each way to a turquoise waterfall coloured by volcanic minerals; a long day trip from the coast.

06
Papagayo (Arnold Palmer Signature course)

Golf

An 18-hole course on the peninsula with Pacific views, open to resort guests.

07
Gulf of Papagayo · couples

Catamaran sail

Afternoon sails from Papagayo and Coco with snorkel stops and sunset return.

08
Playas del Coco and Papagayo marina · adventure

Sportfishing

Offshore charters for sailfish, marlin and tuna run year-round from the gulf.

09
Catalina Islands and Bat Islands · adventure

Scuba diving

Boat dives from Coco and Hermosa; the Bat Islands are known for bull sharks in the May to November season.

10
Rincon de la Vieja foothills

Hot springs day

Thermal pools and mud baths at ranches on the volcano’s slopes, often combined with the park hike.

Choosing where to base yourself? Top places to go in Guanacaste, Costa Rica →

Where to stay

The top hotels in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.

Booked through us as a Virtuoso advisor: the same rate as booking direct, with the Virtuoso amenities confirmed in writing.

Questions, answered.

Can you book the activities as well as the hotel?

Yes. Tell us which ones matter and we build them into the plan with the hotel concierge before you land.

Is Guanacaste, Costa Rica good for families?

The items marked family above are the ones we recommend for children. Tell us ages and we will shape the week around them.

What does booking through Travel Supreme cost?

Nothing extra. As a Virtuoso advisor we book at the same rate as direct, and the hotel adds the Virtuoso amenities.

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