Places to go in Guanacaste

Walkable village

Las Catalinas

A car-free hill town on the Gold Coast: stairs, plazas, and a beach you reach on foot.

Explore

White city

Liberia (the White City)

The capital of Guanacaste: whitewashed adobe, sabanero culture, and the airport that made the coast possible.

Explore

End of the road

Mal País

Next door to Santa Teresa, slower and greener: tide pools, a point, and fewer lights.

Explore

Wellness coast

Nosara

Yoga shalas in the trees, a long right-hand point, and a town that still protects its howler-monkey soundtrack.

Explore

Turtle coast

Ostional

One of the few beaches on earth where olive ridley turtles arrive by the thousand.

Explore

Peninsula

Península de Papagayo

A guarded peninsula of bays, howler monkeys, and the kind of resorts people fly in for and never leave.

Explore

Shell beach

Playa Conchal

A bay of crushed shells next to Brasilito — pale water, no village noise, and a walk to the point.

Explore

Gold Coast

Playa Flamingo

White sand, a deep-water marina, and the quiet coves that sit just behind the postcard.

Explore

Bay & boats

Playas del Coco

A working fishing bay that grew into the most convenient base for diving, dining, and day trips across the north.

Explore

Volcano country

Rincón de la Vieja

Hot springs, hanging bridges, and a living volcano an hour from the airport.

Explore

Slow beach

Sámara

A crescent bay that still feels like a village: palms, horses on the sand, and nowhere you have to rush.

Explore

Dust & surf

Santa Teresa

The south peninsula at full volume: a long beach break, dirt roads, and sunsets that stop the street.

Explore

Surf town

Tamarindo

The liveliest beach town on the Gold Coast: surf at first light, ceviche at noon, and a sunset that still stops traffic.

Explore

town

Montezuma

Cóbano · South

Explore

beach

Playa Coyote

Bejuco · Nandayure

Explore

beach

Playa Grande

Tamarindo · Santa Cruz

Explore

beach

Playa Guiones

Nosara · Nicoya

Explore

beach

Playa Hermosa

Sardinal · Carrillo

Explore