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If
a tourist who is going to stay just a few days in Costa Rica
would ask me which area of the country encompasses most of
its beauties, my answer will definitely be: Guanacaste.
Guanacaste, the
second in size of Costa Rica’s seven provinces embraces, in
its 10,140.71 square kilometers, several of the country’s
main attractions: beautiful beaches, warm weather, great surf,
diving and sportfishing and the flora and fauna biodiversity
of dry and tropical forests.
That’s why this
province is a favorite of frequent visitors , especially two
top beach spots along the Pacific Coast: Flamingo Beach and
Tamarindo Beach with only a distance of about 20 miles between
them.
Moreover, the international
airport in Liberia, the capital of Guanacaste, is now
open to international arrivals , both regular and charter
and it is just an about 50 minute drive to Tamarindo or to
Flamingo or to some of the other beaches, just read on...
Located at 281
kilometers from San José, Guanacaste has an average
altitude of 25 meters above sea level and an average temperature
of 28’C.
 The
province’s exhuberancy is very well depicted in its seven
National Parks (Palo Verde, Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, Rincón
de la Vieja, Las Baulas Marine National Park and Barra Honda)
and three wildlife reserves: Isla Bolaños National
Wildlife Refuge, Lomas de Barbudal Biological Reserve and
Ostional Wildlife Reserve.
Guanacaste is also
home of seven dormant volcanoes: Miravalles, Tenorio, Rincón
de la Vieja, Orosí, Górgona, Cacao and Cerro
Chato.
Toucans, pelicans,
anteaters, sloths, howler monkeys, jaguarundis and raccoons
are just some of the distinctive species that inhabit the
area.
As of the beaches,
well, Guanacaste’s Pacific Coast goes from Bahía Salinas,
up north beside the border with Nicaragua, to Puerto Coyote
in the Nicoya Península. Naranjo beach, Garza, Hermosa,
Coco, Ocotal, Potrero, Conchal, Flamingo, Playa Grande, Tamarindo,
Brasilito and Langosta, are just a few of the beaches along
this golden coast, most of them safe for swimming and great
for diving and surfing (check the best surf spots on www.surfcostarica.com
).
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TAMARINDO:
Tamarindo Beach, is one of the most accessible locations
along Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast (see
map), with an airstrip serviced 7 days a week
with a 45 minute flight from San José by
local airline SANSA. Private charter services are available
as well. Scheduled daily bus service to and from San
José, as well as surrounding communities, is
available by a variety of companies. There is also a
paved highway from San José for those who wish
to rent a car and drive the countryside (4-5 hrs. to
Tamarindo).Please check www.crica.com/cars/cars.html.
for the best options.
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Once there you’ll
have no problem choosing among the variety of hotels in the
area: Capitán
Suizo,
El Jardín del Edén, Cala
Luna Hotel and Villas, Hotel
Tamarindo,
Best Western Tamarindo, Iguanazul,
Villa
Alegre or The
Surf House.All with the best accomodations to enjoy
your stay at Tamarindo.
- Tamarindo also
boasts a wide selection of fine international and
typical Costa Rican restaurants. There is a Belgian
bakery, as well as restaurants catering to health-conscious
and vegetarian patrons and grocery stores, souvenir and
clothing shops, a medical clinic, a bank and a real estate
office (see http://www.crica.com/restate/restate.html
for details)
 Tamarindo
beach is also a mecca for surfers due to its high waves year
round (check details on www.surfcostarica.com)
for surfers of all skill levels.
If diving is more
on your agenda, Tamarindo has also something for you: cuba
diving, snorkeling trips, beach cruises, water skiing, jet
skiing, catamarans, ocean and river kayaking, wind surfing,
sailing cruises or horseback riding. Bicycles, beach gear,
surfboards, boogie boards and equipment of all types are available
for rental from specialty stores.
North of Tamarindo
there’s a natural salt estuary, with amazing mangle species
and across it Playa Grande, a world nesting site for giant
leatherback turtles.
Our latest news
is the opening of a new, Ron Garl designed, 18 hole championship
golf course on Playa Grande. For more info on other golf
courses please visit www.golfcostarica.com
FLAMINGO:
Flamingo, named
after the pink flamingos that once inhabited the coast, is
a renowned area for its structured growth and has been ranked
as one of the best destinations among the entire Gold Coast
of Costa Rica. Flamingo is a modern community with an ever
increasing number of activities, services, and accomodations.
 It’s
no wonder there’s a full service Marina in Flamingo, (considered
the best on the Pacific coast south of Acapulco, Mexico) since
the area offers world class sportfishing,both deep blue water
and reef or shoreline fishing, boasting world records in Marlin,
sailfish,snapper, wahoo, tuna and roosterfish.
- Flamingo is
also great for sea-kayaking and snorkeling with its many
inlets, secluded virgin beaches and clear waters.
Just right beside
the marina is the Flamingo
Beach Resort,a deluxe, modern resort with 91 large,
air conditioned rooms and suites literally steps away the
crystal blue waters of the Pacific Ocean.
Another great choice
for lodging in Flamingo is the Flamingo
Marina Resort. Whether you`re a budget-conscious
traveler or one who prefers to be surrounded by all the luxuries
of home, Flamingo Marina Resort offers a choice of quality
accommodations that cater to your needs. All of which are
spacious, comfortable and tastefully appointed. (see details
on www.crica.com)
 If
golf is your sport don’t miss in this area theGarra
de León Golf Course at Meliá Playa Conchal Beach
Resort .Designed by course architect Robert Trent Jones Jr.
and completed in August of 1997, Garra de León offers
the best of up-to-date features while still preserving the
natural tropical environment of Guanacaste. The 72-par course
is home to 7,030 yards of technical water hazards, challenging
elevation changes and beautiful ocean views. There are several
lagoons and lakes that decorate the course and house many
birds and other wildlife.(see www.golfcostarica.com)
 But
there’s even more to Guanacaste: if diving is in your mind,
you’ve come to the right place: the diving off Costa Rica's
northwest coast is on volcanic rock pinnacles. Most of these
formations are at 40-90 foot depths.Colorful Cortez and King
Angelfish, Pufferfish, Jewel and Pacific Moray Eels as well
as 3 to 5 different types of Parrotfish and occasional Sea
Turtles are some of the species you might spot at this depth
Down to about 50-60 feet, there are huge schools of Jacks,
Grunts, Mackerel or Spadefish. This is the depth where divers
usually see the most Manta Rays, Bat Rays, Eagle Rays, and
White-tipped Sharks.
Read the other
features:
For more information
on visiting Costa Rica to view this spectacular event please
visit Costa Rica’s TravelWEB @ www.crica.com, or by calling our toll free number
at 1-800-788-7857 or 1-866-822-2269 .
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