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North Pacific Region

Previously a part of Nicaragua, Guanacaste was declared a province of Costa Rica in 1824. It has since established its own distinct flavor and color where the cowboy lands of the savanna and pretty provincial towns are thrown together with a string of impressive volcanoes and beaches famed for surf.

Tamarindo and the beaches of Guanacaste

Tamarindo is one of the Costa Rican hotspots for luxury vacation rentals. Originally a beach-fronted, small fishing village, Tamarindo has developed into a vibrant beach resort absorbing the culture and diversity of its numerous visitors. It is easily accessible for international visitors via the international airport at Liberia which is only 1 hour's drive away.

It offers plenty in the way of restaurants, bars, resorts, villas and other amenities making it a prime place for your luxury vacation. The action does not stop during the day as surfing at Playa Langosta, snorkeling, diving, jet-skiing, kayaking, boating and sportsfishing is on offer. For those wishing to experience the local wildlife, leatherback turtles visit the nearby Marino Las Baulas Park every summer. Tamarindo also boasts a first-rate golf course, one of the best in Central America - the Hacienda Pinilla. There are also enough quiet places in and around Tamarindo to simply relax.

There are several other beaches of note in the Guanacaste region. The peaceful beach at Samara is great for swimming and windsurfing and exploring the coral reef.

25km North of Samara is Nosara, a black-sand beach located in front of a mangrove swamp. It is ideal for swimming as well as wildlife spotting.

Playa Del Coco is a beach resort with some fine restaurants and the possibility to try some snorkeling, diving, surfing or sportsfishing.

7km north of Playa del Coco is Playa Hermosa, a picturesque beach with crystal clear waters surrounded by volcanic rock formations.

Liberia

Liberia - "La Cuidad Blanca" as it is known locally, is a town of white-washed houses with a charming colonial character. It is served by Costa Rica's secondary airport making it a popular first port of call. It s central location is ideal for trips to nearby Tamarindo and the National Parks of Santa Rosa, Rincon de le Vieja and Guanacaste.

Rincon de la Vieja

43 miles north of Liberia lies the National Park of Rincon de la Vieja. It was created in 1973 to protect the dwindling water resources in the area and contains the mighty Rincon de la Vieja Volcano. Standing at 1916 meters Rincon del la Vieja is just one of the six volcanoes that span the mountain ranges of the region. It was formed when several volcanic vents exploded creating one mountain and is still active last exploding in February 1998.

Translated as the "The Old Woman's Corner", the name refers to the legend of a local girl whose father tossed her lover into the volcano. Mourning her lost love, the girl spent the rest of her days up the volcano where she cultivated her powers of healing.

The park itself offers some outstanding hikes and horseback riding trails due to its variety of landscapes. On first impression it appears extremely arid and harsh but beneath the ground bubble rivers of lava evident by the steaming fumaroles. This allows for particularly volcanic soils. As you ascend to the windy summit of the volcano the dry forest gives way to a rainforest which houses an abundance of orchids. Waterfalls, streams of thermal waters, rivers, sulfur hot springs and mudpots make this park a nature lover's paradise.

Santa Rosa National Park

Santa Rosa was the first national park of Costa Rica, created to remember Costa Rica's victory over William Walker, the soldier from Tennessee who attempted to conquer Costa Rica and make it part of his slave-holding empire. Established in 1971, the park is renowned for the turtle-nesting beach of Playa Nancite where the Oliver Ridley turtle lays its eggs. The delightful beaches of Nancite and Naranjo, home to one of the best surf breaks in the country at Witch's Rock.