Gio Tours Costa Rica:. Costa Rica Guanacaste

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.

PLAYA GUACAMAYA

With gentle surf and lush greenery, this lovely beach is set amid a beautiful maritime landscape dotted with several islets. Sunbathing, swimming, walking and rest and relaxation are enjoyable activities, and the photo opportunities are excellent.

PLAYAS DANTA Y PAN DE AZÚCAR

These beaches are set in two coves less than a kilometer long and flanked by hills that offer magnificent panoramic views of Bahía Potrero and Bahía Brasilito. The calm waters here are ideal for swimming. The Pitahayas and Santa Catalina islands can be made out from Playa Danta. Some nine kilometers away, the Santa Catalina islands make up one of the most preferred dive sites in the entire region.

PLAYA PRIETA

This small beach lies to the south of Pan de Azúcar, and is separated from it by a rocky area. It features gentle surf and lush coastal vegetation. To the south are Punta Prieta and Chocoyas island, which separate the beach from Playa Penca and lend special natural appeal to the surrounding landscape.

PLAYA PENCA

Also small, this Blue Flag beach has moderate to strong surf and features an estuary and mangrove swamp that, added to the presence of Chocoyas island at the north end of the beach, make it especially attractive and highly apt for relaxation and contemplation.

PLAYA POTRERO

Set in a bay of calm waters, this beach is some four kilometers long and features estuaries and mangrove swamp, as well as beautiful scenery. At its southern end lies Marina Flamingo (Blanca). Potrero is a great place for swimming, sunbathing, walking and horseback riding. Organized sport-fishing and diving are available here.

PLAYA BLANCA ( FLAMINGO )

Set in a cove with moderate surf suitable for swimming, this beach features a mangrove swamp and, to the north, Isla Plata and Punta Salinas, which separate Brasilito and Potrero bays; Punta Salinas offers a spectacular view of both. Because of its natural beauty and the excellent and varied services it offers, Playa Blanca is ideal for those who wish to enjoy both beach and nightlife.

PLAYA BRASILITO

This beach and Conchal make up Bahía Brasilito. The surf and drop-offs are gentle to moderate, depending on the area. A mangrove swamp and Isla Loros lie at the southern end of the beach. Here, visitors can enjoy sunbathing, swimming, walking and taking in the maritime scenery, as well as gorgeous sunsets.

PLAYA CONCHAL

PLAYA REAL

Playa Real, together with Playa del Roble to the south and Playa Nombre de Jesús to the north, make up one long coast; the first two are separated from the third by Punta Real. All three are light-sand beaches that together stretch some two kilometers. The lovely coastal landscape is complemented by several islands and rocky promontories that add to the scenery. The gentle to moderate surf is suitable for swimming, walking and other activities such as sea kayaking.

PLAYA VENTANAS

This cove is located northwest of Playa Grande, from which it is connected (or separated) by a rocky promontory that, owing to its shape, gives the beach its name ("Windows Beach"). Ventanas is great for sunbathing, swimming, relaxing and walking north towards the point and diminutive Playa Carbón.

PLAYA GRANDE

Forming part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, this beach gets its name from its great size. It stretches south to the Tamarindo estuary, site of a large mangrove swamp (the Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge) that can be toured by boat to check out the flora and fauna. Playa Grande is particularly popular with surfers, as well as visitors wishing to observe nesting giant leatherback turtles. This Blue Flag beach is also great for sunbathing, walking and swimming.

PLAYA TAMARINDO

Playa Tamarindo, along with Playa Grande and Playa Ventanas, make up Bahía Tamarindo. This beautiful beach features rocky areas and an island (Capitán) at its southern end. Its luxuriant greenery includes pink trumpet trees, tamarinds and coconut palms. Excellent and varied services are offered, allowing visitors to enjoy the beach by day and the nightlife after sunset. A Blue Flag beach, Tamarindo is ideal for relaxing, walking, horseback riding and sport-fishing and diving tours, as well as visiting the mangrove swamp and observing nesting sea turtles. South of the bay lies the most important stretch of coast for surfing.

PLAYA LANGOSTA

Separated from Tamarindo by Punta San Francisco, this cove has two main areas divided by the mouth of the Río San Francisco. To the north the coast is rocky and unsuitable for swimming; to the south is a mangrove swamp. Both areas are very pleasant for walking and observing the scenery and diverse bird species. A Blue Flag beach, Langosta is quite popular with surfers.

PLAYA AVELLANAS

Located five kilometers south of Langosta, this beach features a rocky coast stretching several kilometers, with lush vegetation. The surf is strong, with two distinct sections both good for surfing. Other activities include walking, swimming and observing little fish and mollusks in the tide pools that form in the rocks.

PLAYA NEGRA

Located between Avellanas and Junquillal, this beach features a rocky coast, excellent surfing conditions and, despite its name (Black Beach), light sand. To the south lies a less frequented stretch of coast (Callejones) that is also good for surfing.

PLAYA JUNQUILLAL

Long and wide, this beach has a varied landscape good for walking and horseback riding. Junquillal features coastal greenery, rocky areas and very good diving and surfing, for which it is well known. Fishing and kayaking are also possible at this Blue Flag beach.

RÍO TEMPISQUE

Born on the slopes of Orosí volcano, this river runs 159 kilometers. Its tributaries include the Colorado, Salto, Bebedero, Bolsón, Diriá and Cañas rivers. Tours on this navigable river offer sightings of the numerous bird species that inhabit the mangrove swamps on its banks. The Tempisque's lower basin is home to Palo Verde National Park.

LA AMISTAD BRIDGE

Inaugurated in 2003, this bridge has replaced the ferry service that for many years allowed crossing of this river. A significant work of engineering built with cooperation from the Taiwanese government, the bridge spans 780 meters and serves as a launching point for major development of the Guanacaste region.

RÍO COROBICÍ

Located a few kilometers from the city of Cañas, this beautiful river can be run in rafts. Its Class I and II rapids are suitable for anyone wanting to take the trip featuring lovely river scenery and observation of birds such as herons and toucans. The Corobicí is one of the only rivers in the entire region with rapids.

LLANOS DEL CORTÉS WATERFALLS

These are located a few kilometers north of the town of Bagaces, on the highway to Liberia, where a turnoff to the left leads to this spot. Several meters tall and surrounded by lush greenery, the waterfalls form a beautiful curtain that falls into a pool where visitors can enjoy a swim and a small, light-sand beach.

RÍO LIBERIA CANYON

A few kilometers from Liberia on the road to the Santa María sector of Rincón de la Vieja National Park is a deep canyon carved by the Río Liberia. From a scenic point of view the canyon is breathtaking; in addition to the canyon itself, the Rincón de la Vieja volcano may be seen, and the vegetation here is different from that in the lower parts of the region.

LIBERIA

Known as the "white city," Liberia is a typical flatland town with wide streets, old buildings and houses of bahareque (a material similar to adobe but made with cattle dung and straw). The city has managed to combine old edifices, customs and traditions with modernism and new buildings, including malls and various services.

Recent years have seen much urban development, and the new facilities of the Daniel Oduber Airport allow it to receive regular and charter flights from several cities in Canada and the United States.

Several protected areas may be visited from Liberia, including Santa Rosa National Park near the town of La Cruz and Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The beaches near the Gulf of Papagayo may also be enjoyed. In addition, the National Band of Guanacaste holds its traditional concert in Liberia every Friday and Sunday at seven p.m.

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.

This section of the coast features rocky beaches to the north (Lagarto, Manzanillo) and sandy ones to the south. In the north, Lagarto is distinguished by its artisan-fishing activities. Though beautiful, this stretch of coast offers few services for tourists. Toward the south are beaches such as El Coco, Marbella and Pitahaya, where visitors can walk and swim in the ocean. At the north end of this stretch, Playa Pitahaya features an attractive cove. Surfers like these beaches for their waves.

A small beach, Playa Azul has strong surf and blue waters. Its midsection (to the north) features a rocky promontory (Punta Eriza) from which visitors can enjoy an extensive, breathtaking view of the entire coast stretching from the north to Punta Trinidad (San Juanillo) in the south. The beach is suitable for walking and observing the scenery. Caution is advised when swimming, especially in the southern part of the beach.

Lush with coastal greenery, these beautiful, small coves are connected by a rocky platform that joins Punta Trinidad and Punta Pleito to the north. Playa Pleito features a lovely bend at its south end that is ideal for swimming. San Juanillo's special feature is a beautiful point (Trinidad) made up of a tongue of fine sand that forms a cove with little surf to the north and stretches a hundred meters to the south, there forming the cove of Playa Cocal.

Long and wide with strong surf, this beach joins Playa Nosara in the south, from which it is separated by Punta División. Ostional enjoys worldwide prestige, because it is here and in Nancite (in Santa Rosa National Park) that the largest number of olive ridley turtles come to nest, especially from July to November. For this reason, Ostional and the entire coast southward to Punta Guiones are included in the Ostional National Wildlife Refuge. The most scenic part of the beach is the rocky coast toward the north.

This beach features a lovely estuary and a large mangrove swamp (Río Nosara) that can be toured by boat or kayak to observe the vegetation and wildlife, especially birds. Nosara's town and outskirts offer all kinds of services for tourists, including horseback-riding and kayaking tours.

At Pelada's north end is Punta Nosara, which separates this beach from Playa Nosara. Great for walks and relaxation, Pelada features a rocky point in the south that offers a gorgeous panoramic view of the beach and Playa Guiones stretching south. Visitors may enjoy horseback riding, sunbathing, sport-fishing and snorkeling at this beach.

Long and wide, Playa Guiones is great for walking, horseback riding and sunbathing, and it has good waves for surfing. A wide variety of tourist services is available near this beach and those to the north.

Set in a beautiful bay with moderate surf, this beach features an estuary to the south, where the Río Garza empties to form a mangrove swamp. To the north, on the other side of Punta Garza, is a rocky beach called Playa Rosada (Pink Beach) due to the color of its sand. A small fishing community, Garza offers sunbathing, swimming, walking and sport-fishing tours.

This beach is set in a beautiful cove with moderate surf. Surrounded by tall, rocky cliffs that give it special appeal, Barco Quebrado is perfect for swimming and observing the surrounding landscape, which features a forested area. To the south lies another attractive beach called Barrigona.

Playa Buena Vista is a large beach with moderate surf and lush vegetation. At its north end lies an estuary; to the south is the mouth of the Río Buena Vista. The beach is ideal for sunbathing and walking. Some parts of the shore feature slightly sharp drop-offs. Trips on ultralight planes are organized from this spot.

Some four kilometers long, this beach features moderate surf, mangrove swamps and ample coastal greenery, including manchineel trees, coconut palms and creepers such as beach bean. Near the center of the beach stands an enormous old strangler fig that is one of Sámara's hallmarks. To the south, off Punta Indio, lies Isla Chora. This Blue Flag beach offers activities such as sunbathing, walking, horseback riding, swimming, mountain biking and boat or kayak trips, as well as various services allowing tourists to enjoy the beach by day and music and good food by night.

Located five kilometers from Sámara, this lovely bay features a beautiful beach with calm surf. Swimming is very safe, especially on the south end, where a large number of coconut palms parallel to the beach and street provide shade to visitors and beautify the coast. Carrillo is also great for sunbathing and walking along the beach. Its southern stretch features a rocky hill from which visitors can see the bay in all its splendor. Surrounding this point is a very safe bay for anchoring artisan- and sport-fishing boats. The beach has been awarded the Blue Flag.

Some three kilometers long, this large, open beach has moderate to strong surf. Near its south end is the mouth of the Río Ora, which must be forded with caution to reach this and other beaches to the south (Islita, Bejuco, San Miguel) or north (Carrillo, Sámara). Known as a nesting site for giant leatherback and olive ridley turtles, Camaronal features a wildlife refuge that protects these magnificent reptiles. It's also great for camping and fishing.

Shaped in a half-moon, this cove with little surf owes its name to the little rocky island next to Punta Islita at the northeast end of the bay. Two estuaries enhance the beauty of its landscape, which can be viewed in full from the heights of the road to the south that leads to Corozalito, where high cliffs can also be seen. Besides swimming and sunbathing, enjoyable activities include walking, horseback riding, four-by-four and quadricycle tours, mountain biking and boat trips for fishing and diving. This is a Blue Flag beach.

This small beach features a wide estuary and a mangrove swamp, excellent for observing flora and fauna. Tourists frequent the beach on horseback.

A very large beach with moderate to strong surf, Bejuco has an extensive mangrove swamp that stretches behind the beach to the mouth of the Río Bejuco. Near the south end lies Punta Bejuco, which lends even greater scenic beauty to this popular surfing beach.

The access road leading to these two beaches runs over San Miguel hill in the north, which offers an impressive view of the open coast. Though the two beaches make up the same stretch of coast, they are separated by the Jabilla mouth and estuary, home to a large mangrove swamp. The surf on these beaches is strong and continuous. San Miguel is three kilometers long, while Coyote stretches almost five kilometers to the estuary of the same name. This area is great for boat trips, relaxation, sea-gazing, walking and horseback riding, as well as observing the plant and animal life of the mangrove swamps.

South of Coyote, Playa Bongo is a long, open beach that stretches several kilometers. Near the north end is an area called Caletas that is great for surfing. Five kilometers south of here lie the mouth and estuary of the Río Bongo, which marks the border between the Guanacaste and Puntarenas provinces. Some three kilometers further south is Playa Manzanillo, a beautiful beach lush with vegetation. This beach is well frequented by the residents of Cóbano and other towns. Visitors can rent horses, walk on the beach, enjoy the ocean, take boat trips, kayak and camp.

South of Manzanillo lies Punta Pochote, which features a small rocky cove, profuse vegetation and beautiful scenery. The beach is good for walking, enjoying the ocean and sunbathing.

Considered by scholars to be the oldest city in the country and the heart of the Chorotega nation, Nicoya has well defined sectors: park, Catholic church and various commercial centers including the local market, where typical food and drink are sold.

The town is located at 123 meters above sea level. Recent years have seen increased urban development, and the town features suitable tourism development as well as a large health center. Nicoya is a must-stop on the way to Sámara and Carrillo beaches; travel time has been shortened with the opening of the La Amistad bridge.

Located in downtown Nicoya, this beautiful church occupies the site where the country's first parish church was built in 1544. Inside the church is a small but interesting religious-historical museum. Beside the edifice is a lovely urban park where both locals and visitors gather. Patron saints' feasts are celebrated annually on December 15.

The feast of the Virgin of Guadalupe is preceded by a series of pre-stages: countdown of days and wood chopping on November 1; the "Pujagua" corn grinding on December 8; La Atolada festival on December 9; La Ramada festival on December 10; La Víspera (eve) on December 11; and Virgin of Guadalupe Day on December 12.

The day begins at five in the morning with la alborada (dawn song); like the day before, there is music, fireworks and a meal shared in the "casa del patrón del Alba" ("house of Alba's patron"). At ten in the morning the procession begins, accompanied by the dance of La Yegüita.

At six p.m. the ceremony of the nine members of the Confraternity for the next year begins, held at the Confraternity's premises. Only women vote in the election of the nine.

The residents of Guaitil de Santa Cruz and San Vicente de Nicoya (towns with more than 5,000 years of tradition in pottery) fashion beautiful work out of clay using the traditional and ancestral techniques of the Chorotega indigenous group, which once inhabited this part of the country. Pieces include ornaments, urns, flowerpots, vases, plates and ceramic whistles. Very distinctive ovens are used to fire these exquisite pieces. Souvenirs may be purchased in the two communities, where pottery sales make up the residents' main source of livelihood. This lovely tradition is handed down from generation to generation; in addition, the time-honored techniques are taught to students at Guaitil's primary school, who fashion beautiful pieces to be sold to visitors.

Santa Cruz holds the distinction of being the national folklore city, thanks to its commitment to keeping its traditions and customs alive, including traditional dance, musical instruments, food and drink. The town features a pleasant, well laid out park, as well as a variety of shops and public services.

Nearby natural tourist attractions include stunning beaches such as Ostional, Blanca (Flamingo), Tamarindo and Grande. Tourism development has been substantial in recent years, mainly on the coast, where large hotels have been established along with a range of services and activities, including golf..

Santa Cruz's effigy of Christ was brought from Guatemala in 1840. The celebration unfolds in phases: La Víspera (eve): On January 13, the Cristo de Esquipulas is moved from Arado, where it is kept, to a house on the outskirts of Santa Cruz, where it is prepared for the procession on the afternoon of the 14th. Neighbors prepare themselves to go see the Christ, thus starting an entire procession of worshippers. The Christ passes through streets adorned with palms, malinche (flamboyant tree) flowers and multicolored streamers.

La Festividad (the feast): January 15 is the day of the Patron Saint, and a procession is made through Santa Cruz accompanied by los indios promesanos (indigenous people offering vows to the Christ), the National Traditional Queen and her Court of Honor, the Priest and the faithful. Afterwards, mass is held in the church in honor of the saint.

In addition to these activities, cultural shows are organized from January 14 to 18: traditional dance, music from Guanacaste and marimba, plays and poetry readings, as well as "retahílas" (witty dialogues between two people) and "bombas" (spontaneous recitations of love), with all the drollness typical of the residents of this community holding the title of national folklore city. As a complement to the events, handicrafts and souvenirs from the festivities are sold. The events take place around two main locations: the Plaza de los Mangos, where the bull-riding stage is set up; and Parque Bernabela Ramos, where cultural activities are held.