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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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