20 Things To Do in Guanacaste for People Who Love the Beach, But Not Boredom

Guanacaste isn’t just a province — it’s a whole vibe. Located on Costa Rica’s northwestern Pacific coast, this region is where wild jungle meets golden beaches, where howler monkeys greet the sunrise, and where surfers, yogis, and wildlife lovers all somehow find their place.

While it’s known for its dry tropical climate, upscale resorts, and the iconic Playa Tamarindo, Guanacaste’s real magic lies in its diverse mix of experiences — from volcano hikes and hot springs to local fiestas, hidden waterfalls, and world-class wildlife encounters. You can sip cocktails at a beach club one day, then spot sloths and scarlet macaws in a rainforest reserve the next.

This guide explores the best things to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica in 2025 — whether you’re traveling solo, honeymooning, or bringing the whole family. From laid-back surf towns like Nosara to cultural gems like Liberia, Guanacaste is where you come to unplug, explore, and remember what pura vida really feels like.

1. Surf the Waves in Tamarindo

📍Tamarindo Beach, Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica

Tamarindo is where surf dreams begin. Whether you’ve never touched a board or you’ve been chasing waves across continents, this town delivers the goods — warm water, consistent beach breaks, and a surf culture that doesn’t take itself too seriously. The vibe is equal parts laid-back and electric: early morning sessions fueled by fruit smoothies, followed by golden-hour beers and barefoot beats on the beach.

The waves here are perfect for beginners, especially at the southern end near the river mouth. You’ll find dozens of surf schools offering patient, English-speaking instructors and small-group lessons that actually get you standing up — usually within your first hour. If you’re already comfortable on a board, paddle out farther for peeling rights and playful lefts, with more advanced spots just up the coast at Playa Langosta and Playa Grande.

But even if you wipe out (a lot), no one’s judging. In Tamarindo, surfing isn’t about ego — it’s about joy, flow, and surrendering to the rhythm of the Pacific.

2. Go Wildlife Spotting in Palo Verde National Park

📍Tempisque River Basin, Guanacaste Province, ~1.5–2 hours from Liberia or Tamarindo

If you came to Costa Rica hoping for wild, Palo Verde delivers it in full stereo — crocs sliding into muddy rivers, white-faced capuchins leaping between branches, and massive flocks of herons taking off like confetti. This isn’t a polished eco-park. It’s raw, teeming, and a little bit thrilling.

The best way to explore is by riverboat tour on the Tempisque River, where local guides point out everything from iguanas the size of small dogs to bats sleeping in perfect rows under tree limbs. Keep your camera ready — Palo Verde is a haven for birdwatchers, especially between December and April when the wetlands dry slightly and concentrate the wildlife. Think roseate spoonbills, jabirus (rare stork species), and boat-billed herons, all in one binocular sweep.

It’s hot, it’s swampy, and it’s nothing like the beach — but that’s the beauty. This is Guanacaste unfiltered.

3. Swim Under the Llanos de Cortés Waterfall

📍Near Bagaces, Guanacaste Province — about 30–40 minutes from Liberia

Hidden behind sugarcane fields and a modest entrance road, Llanos de Cortés (sometimes spelled "Cortez") is a surprise burst of rainforest tucked into Guanacaste’s drier plains. What you’ll find here is pure magic: a curtain-like waterfall cascading into a natural swimming pool, surrounded by soft sand, shady trees, and the sounds of frogs, birds, and the occasional distant howler monkey.

There’s no big commercial setup here — just a short hike down from the parking area, a wide open beach, and the kind of swimming hole that begs you to stay longer than planned. You can swim right up to the base of the falls, stand under the spray, or just float and let the mist cool you off.

While more visitors are discovering it, it still feels untouched, especially if you come early or on a weekday. It’s one of those places where you’ll snap a photo, then put your phone away — because being there is better than capturing it.

4. Soak in Hot Springs at Río Perdido or Rincón de la Vieja

📍Bagaces (Río Perdido) or Rincón de la Vieja National Park area

Forget spa tubs and dim lighting. In Guanacaste, your thermal soak comes with howler monkeys overhead and steam rising from the earth itself. The region’s hot springs are legendary — not just for their healing minerals, but for the way they blend into nature instead of overpowering it.

If you're craving comfort and design, head to Río Perdido, a geothermal eco-resort built along a warm river. Here, you can soak in a forest-lined thermal stream, float under a suspension bridge, or dip into sculpted mineral pools — all within a private reserve that’s pure wellness fantasy.

Prefer rugged and raw? Explore the mud pots and hot springs around Rincón de la Vieja, where volcanic energy bubbles up from the ground. Some resorts, like Hacienda Guachipelín, offer access to natural mud baths, riverside soaking pools, and post-hike recovery spas — often combined with ziplining or horseback rides.

Whichever you choose, expect to leave looser, lighter, and a little more in tune with the land.

5. Watch the Sunset at Playa Conchal

📍Between Playa Brasilito and Playa Flamingo, Guanacaste Province

There are great beaches all over Costa Rica, but Playa Conchal hits different at sunset. Tucked between hills and bordered by turquoise water, this crescent-shaped bay feels almost too perfect — the kind of place that makes your shoulders drop the second your feet touch the shore.

During the day, Conchal is a great spot for snorkeling and paddleboarding, thanks to its calm, reef-protected waters. But as the afternoon light fades, the magic really kicks in. The sun dips low behind the Pacific, casting honey-colored light across the shell-speckled sand and turning the sky into layers of rose, amber, and deep violet. If you’ve got someone to share it with, this is the moment. If you don’t — it might just find you here.

Unlike busier beaches like Tamarindo, Conchal stays relatively peaceful. Most crowds head out by late afternoon, leaving you with space to breathe, float, or just take it all in.

6. Ride Horseback with Guanacaste Cowboys

📍Available near Rincón de la Vieja, Playa Conchal, and several eco-ranches throughout Guanacaste

Long before the yoga studios and boutique hotels, Guanacaste was cattle country — and horseback riding here isn’t some staged photo op. It’s a living tradition, passed down through families who’ve worked this land for centuries. When you ride with a local guide, you’re not just sightseeing — you’re stepping into that heritage, saddle creaks and all.

You can ride through open pastures, rivers, forest trails, or even along the beach at sunset. The horses are well-trained, calm, and used to beginners, but they’ll also respond to more experienced riders if you want to let loose. If you ride in the foothills of Rincón de la Vieja, expect sweeping valley views and the occasional toucan overhead. Along the coast, especially near Playa Conchal or Brasilito, your hooves might splash right into the sea.

Most tours are run by local families or eco-ranches, so your dollars support real communities — not just resort profits.

7. Take a Day Trip to Rincón de la Vieja National Park

📍Rincón de la Vieja, ~45 minutes to 1.5 hours from Liberia, depending on entrance

If you think Guanacaste is all beaches and dry forests, Rincón de la Vieja will blow that idea wide open. This national park is where jungle, geothermal activity, and wildlife collide — with mud pots, steaming vents, waterfalls, and lush trails wrapped around the slopes of a restless volcano.

There are two main entrances (Las Pailas and Santa María), each offering different experiences. Las Pailas is the more popular — home to the boiling mud pits, fumaroles, and scenic waterfalls like La Cangreja and Oropéndola. You’ll hike through dry forest into cloud forest, past strangler figs and maybe a coati or howler monkey along the way. Santa María is quieter and great for those looking for hot spring access or birdwatching.

It’s not the easiest hike you’ll do in Costa Rica — some trails are steamy, steep, and slippery. But if you want raw nature and volcanic drama, this is a must-do in Guanacaste.

8. Zipline Through the Dry Tropical Forest

📍Rincón de la Vieja, Liberia outskirts, or near Playa Hermosa & Papagayo

Ziplines are everywhere in Costa Rica, but in Guanacaste, they come with their own flavor: less rainforest mist, more golden canopy, canyon crossings, and sweeping volcano views. The terrain here — rolling hills, deep ravines, dry forest trees — makes for longer, faster lines, and often less crowds than in more touristed regions like Arenal.

Top spots include adventure parks near Rincón de la Vieja, where you can pair your zipline with hanging bridges, waterfall rappelling, and volcanic hot springs. Some tours even launch you across canyons or down into forested river valleys — with toucans above, iguanas sunning on branches, and howler monkeys chiming in from somewhere deep in the brush.

Whether you’re a first-timer or thrill junkie, Guanacaste’s ziplines are equal parts adrenaline and scenery, run by locals who know the land and share its stories between flights.

9. Visit Playa Flamingo for White Sand + Luxury

📍Playa Flamingo, between Playa Potrero and Playa Conchal, Guanacaste Province

If you’re looking for a Guanacaste beach with a little more polish — but none of the pretension — Playa Flamingo is your spot. Known for its curved bay, calm turquoise water, and upscale resorts, Flamingo blends barefoot luxury with Costa Rican ease. Think boutique hotels, ocean-view infinity pools, sailing yachts anchored offshore, and beachside ceviche that just might ruin you for all others.

It’s quieter than Tamarindo, but far from sleepy. During the day, you can swim, snorkel, paddleboard, or hop on a catamaran, all in water that’s safe and usually free of strong currents. The newly upgraded Marina Flamingo adds even more appeal — with gourmet restaurants, galleries, and sunset cruises leaving daily.

But Flamingo’s beauty isn’t just in its amenities — it’s in the way it slows you down, inviting you to savor each golden hour and ocean breeze like you earned it.

10. Tour a Coffee or Sugarcane Farm

📍Haciendas and fincas near Bagaces, Tilarán, and the foothills of Rincón de la Vieja

Beyond the beaches and national parks, Guanacaste’s roots run deep in the soil. The region’s rural heart beats in its small family farms, where you can tour historic trapiches (traditional sugar mills), watch tortillas made over wood fires, and sip coffee roasted right where the beans were grown. It’s a slower side of Costa Rica — one that tastes like panela, smells like wet earth, and sounds like the rhythm of hooves and grinding wheels.

Some farms focus on sustainable sugarcane production and even let you press your own juice, while others center on coffee roasting demos, corn grinding, and tamal-making workshops. These aren’t slick tourist traps — they’re community-run experiences, often hosted by the very families who’ve worked the land for generations.

It’s an ideal half-day trip that adds cultural depth to your Guanacaste itinerary — and gives you a fresh appreciation for the humble bean in your morning cup.

11. Kayak Through the Estuary in Tamarindo

📍Las Baulas National Marine Park, Tamarindo Estuary

Just steps from Tamarindo’s lively beach bars is a whole other world — quiet, wild, and dripping with life. Kayaking through the Tamarindo Estuary means trading your surfboard for a paddle and slipping into a maze of mangrove tunnels, where iguanas bask, herons stalk, and crocodiles cruise silently beneath the surface.

Guided tours (and self-guided rentals, if you’re confident) take you through brackish waters that feel more like jungle than beach. The mangroves are dense and cathedral-like, their roots snaking into the tide, creating shelter for birds, fish, and reptiles. With a sharp-eyed local guide, you might spot howler monkeys, roseate spoonbills, or even a basilisk lizard running on water.

It’s a peaceful, low-impact adventure — perfect for early mornings when the water is still and the wildlife is most active. You’ll come back salt-streaked, sun-kissed, and with a deeper respect for the ecosystems hiding just beyond the surf.

12. Snorkel or Dive Around the Catalina Islands

📍Off the coast of Playa Flamingo and Tamarindo, Guanacaste Province

The Catalina Islands — or “Las Catalinas” — might not look like much from the boat: just a rugged, rocky archipelago jutting out of the Pacific. But beneath the surface? It's a different universe. Schools of tropical fish shimmer past volcanic rock walls, white-tip reef sharks glide over the seafloor, and — if you time it right — massive manta rays with 15-foot wingspans soar past like underwater kites.

Snorkelers can spot pufferfish, eels, and rays in the shallows, while certified divers will find drop-offs, swim-throughs, and deeper cleaning stations teeming with life. Visibility varies, but the marine biodiversity here is consistent — especially from December through May, when plankton-rich waters bring in the big pelagics.

Several outfitters run tours from Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo, and Playa Potrero, offering both half-day snorkel trips and full two-tank dive excursions. Gear, guides, and good vibes included.

13. Explore the Town of Santa Cruz

📍Santa Cruz, Guanacaste Province — ~1 hour from Tamarindo or Liberia

If you want to go beyond the beaches and get a true feel for Guanacaste culture, Santa Cruz is the place to do it. This isn’t a touristy facade — it’s a working town with a strong local identity, where cowboy boots and traditional oxcarts still roll through the streets, and roadside sodas serve arroz de maíz and hand-pressed tortillas like they always have.

Time your visit with one of the town’s annual fiestas — like the January Fiestas Típicas Nacionales — and you’ll see parades, rodeos, mask-making demonstrations, and fireworks that last all night. But even outside festival season, Santa Cruz rewards the curious. Explore its artisan markets, visit the Casa de la Cultura, and stop by a marisquería for some of the freshest ceviche in Guanacaste.

It’s gritty in places, yes — but it’s also genuine, welcoming, and full of soul.

14. Sail into the Sunset on a Catamaran Tour

📍Departures from Playa Flamingo, Tamarindo, Playa Potrero, and Papagayo Peninsula

There’s something about being out on the ocean as the sun drops into the horizon that just resets everything. And in Guanacaste, a sunset catamaran cruise isn’t just an excursion — it’s a ritual. Whether you’re toasting with a cold Imperial, diving off the back into crystal-blue water, or spotting dolphins slicing through the wake, the whole experience is equal parts adventure and unwind.

Tours usually start mid-afternoon, with time to snorkel secluded coves, spot sea turtles or rays, and soak up the breeze with a rum punch in hand. Then the sails go up, the music dials down, and you drift back toward shore in full golden-hour glory.

Some boats are party-forward, with DJ beats and dancing. Others lean romantic or family-friendly. Pick your vibe, but either way — the views don’t miss.

15. Visit a Sloth Sanctuary or Wildlife Rescue

📍Locations vary — common near Liberia, Nosara, and inland eco-lodges

Let’s be real: everyone wants to see a sloth in Costa Rica. But not all sloth encounters are created equal. The most ethical way to meet these slow-moving icons in Guanacaste is by visiting a licensed wildlife rescue center or sanctuary, where you’re supporting rehabilitation work — not Instagram gimmicks.

Many of these rescues care for more than just sloths: you’ll also meet injured toucans, monkeys, owls, kinkajous, and even anteaters, all being treated with the goal of returning to the wild. Some sanctuaries allow guided educational visits, where naturalists share the animals’ stories and explain how conservation really works on the ground.

It’s a chance to connect with Costa Rica’s wildlife in a respectful, impactful way — and to help ensure that your presence as a traveler supports protection, not exploitation.

16. Go ATVing Through Backroads and Rivers

📍Available in Tamarindo, Playa Flamingo, Papagayo, and Nosara regions

If you’re craving something dustier, louder, and way off the paved path, an ATV tour is one of the most exhilarating ways to explore Guanacaste’s wild terrain. Local guides lead you down winding dirt trails, across shallow rivers, and up rocky hillsides — all while pointing out wildlife, hidden waterfalls, or rural villages that most travelers never see.

This isn’t just a joyride. It’s a backdoor look at Costa Rica’s lesser-traveled countryside, where sabaneros still herd cattle and howler monkeys swing from the trees overhead. Some tours end at scenic viewpoints, while others stop for a quick beach dip or a snack in a local soda.

Expect to get muddy, sun-kissed, and grinning by the end — it’s pure freedom on four wheels.

17. Chill at Playa Avellanas (“Little Hawaii”)

📍South of Tamarindo, ~30–40 minutes by car on a partially unpaved road

If Tamarindo feels too busy and Playa Conchal too polished, Playa Avellanas is your barefoot sweet spot. With soft, pale sand, driftwood-lined shores, and a no-shoes-necessary vibe, it’s a favorite among surfers, locals, and travelers who want less scene, more serenity.

The waves here range from beginner-friendly whitewater to world-class reef breaks farther out, making it a great place to surf or just watch the pros ride. No board? No problem. You can grab a smoothie, cocktail, or wood-fired pizza from the iconic Lola’s Beachfront Restaurant, often in the company of the beach’s famous resident pigs — yes, real pigs.

It’s also one of the best places to do absolutely nothing: read a book, nap in the shade of a palm tree, or wander along the beach as the tide shifts.

18. Try Guanacaste-Style Cuisine (Arroz de Maíz, Chorreadas, Gallo Pinto)

📍Local sodas (small restaurants), farmers markets, and roadside comedores throughout Guanacaste

To really know Guanacaste, you have to eat like a local. Skip the hotel buffet for a morning at a family-run soda, where the plates are hearty, home-cooked, and proudly unpretentious. Start your day with gallo pinto (rice and beans sautéed with onion and cilantro), served with fresh cheese, eggs, and natilla (a local sour cream).

Craving something more regional? Order arroz de maíz, a slow-cooked rice dish made with white corn, achiote, and pork — deeply comforting and distinctly Guanacastecan. Or grab a chorreada, a sweet corn pancake best enjoyed with black coffee and a slab of salty cheese on top.

And don’t miss the fresh fruit juices (jugos naturales) — everything from cas (sour guava) to tamarindo or passion fruit.

This is comfort food with soul — no fancy plating, no fusion, just pura vida on a plate.

19. Visit Liberia’s Historic Center

📍Downtown Liberia, Guanacaste Province — 10–15 minutes from Guanacaste Airport (LIR)

Most travelers pass through Liberia without stopping, but that’s a mistake. The city’s historic center offers a glimpse into old Guanacaste — one that’s more about quiet charm than tourist spectacle. Stroll the central plaza and you’ll find cobblestone streets, horse carts, 19th-century churches, and locals sipping coffee on shaded benches. It’s peaceful, walkable, and rich with understated beauty.

Start your visit at the Iglesia de la Inmaculada Concepción, Liberia’s iconic white cathedral. From there, pop into Casa de la Cultura for rotating art exhibits, or the Museo del Sabanero, where you can learn about Guanacaste’s cowboy heritage. If you're hungry, try a traditional soda or head to a local panadería for fresh empanadas and a cup of café chorreado.

Whether you're killing time before a flight or want a deeper cultural layer in your trip, Liberia is low-key, local, and worth more than a glance.

20. Spot Sea Turtles at Playa Ostional or Playa Grande (Seasonal)

📍Playa Ostional and Playa Grande, Pacific coast of Guanacaste

There are few experiences on Earth as humbling as watching a sea turtle, ancient and silent, crawl from the surf to lay her eggs under a moonlit sky. And in Guanacaste, you don’t need to book a luxury eco-lodge to witness it — you just need good timing, a certified guide, and a bit of luck.

At Playa Ostional, the main arribadas happen between August and December, often just before the new moon. During peak nights, tens of thousands of olive ridley turtles come ashore — a surreal sight of flippers, sand, and primal rhythm. Playa Grande, meanwhile, is part of Las Baulas National Marine Park and hosts leatherback turtles, the world’s largest sea turtle species.

Guided night tours (required in both places) are strictly regulated to protect the turtles, and rightfully so. You’ll learn about conservation, local community efforts, and the deep connection between coastal life and these endangered creatures.

It’s wild, raw, and deeply moving — one of Guanacaste’s most unforgettable natural events.

Conclusion

Guanacaste isn’t just where you go to relax — it’s where you wake up to life again. Sure, the beaches are postcard-perfect. But what makes this region unforgettable is the energy beneath the surface: volcanic rivers that steam with ancient power, surf towns that buzz with soul, and locals who welcome you like a neighbor, not a tourist.

You can ride with cowboys in the morning and soak in hot springs by sunset. Hike to waterfalls. Eat corn pancakes made by hand. Sit in silence as a sea turtle lays her eggs under the stars. This is Costa Rica at its most real — raw and radiant, loud with birdsong, soft with sloth-slow mornings, and always whispering pura vida in your ear.

Whether you’re chasing adrenaline, connection, or just your next favorite hammock, Guanacaste delivers. And the longer you stay in Guanacaste Vacation Rentals, the more it feels like a place you’ve known all along.

1. What is the best time of year to visit Guanacaste, Costa Rica?

Guanacaste is a year-round destination, but December to April is the sweet spot. That’s the dry season, when skies are reliably sunny, roads are in good condition, and the beaches are at their most photogenic. This is also when you’ll find the best conditions for surfing, hiking, and wildlife spotting, especially in national parks like Rincón de la Vieja.

If you don’t mind a bit of rain, May to November (green season) can be a great time to visit too. Prices drop, the landscapes turn lush and green, and you’ll have popular spots mostly to yourself. Plus, if you’re hoping to see sea turtles nesting, the best chance is during the rainy season — especially between August and December at beaches like Ostional.

2. What are the must-do activities in Guanacaste for first-time visitors?

If you’re coming to Guanacaste for the first time, a few experiences rise to the top. First, learn to surf (or at least watch) in Tamarindo, where the waves are friendly and the vibe is always buzzing. Then take a short drive to Llanos de Cortés Waterfall, where you can swim beneath a jungle cascade that feels straight out of a movie. You’ll also want to explore Rincón de la Vieja National Park, a lesser-known volcanic wonderland with hiking trails, bubbling mud pots, and natural hot springs. For something more relaxing, sailing into a Pacific sunset on a catamaran — complete with snorkeling and open bar — is an experience people talk about for years.

3. Is Guanacaste a good destination for families or couples?

Yes — and part of Guanacaste’s charm is how well it works for both families and couples, just in different ways. For families, there’s a lot to love: gentle beaches like Playa Conchal and Playa Hermosa, wildlife rescues where kids can safely learn about sloths and monkeys, and easygoing adventures like tubing, ziplining, or spotting crocodiles on a riverboat tour. Many hotels and eco-lodges cater to kids, and the region feels safe, clean, and welcoming.

Couples, on the other hand, can find their groove in sunset horseback rides, boutique beachfront stays, quiet jungle lodges near hot springs, or romantic dinners under the stars in places like Playa Avellanas.

4. Do I need to rent a car to explore Guanacaste?

It depends on how much you want to see — but in most cases, yes, renting a car is a smart move. Guanacaste is spread out, and many of its best experiences (like waterfalls, hot springs, or hidden beaches) aren’t walkable from your hotel or easy to access by bus or shuttle.

If you’re staying in one town — like Tamarindo or Playa Flamingo — and plan to just beach-hop and relax, you can probably get by without one. But if you’re up for exploring national parks, inland farms, or quiet beaches off the beaten path, having your own wheels gives you freedom, flexibility, and access to real gems.

5. What are the best beaches in Guanacaste for swimming, surfing, and sunsets?

Guanacaste’s coastline is incredibly diverse — so the best beach depends on your mood. For swimming and relaxing, head to Playa Conchal or Playa Flamingo. Both offer calm, clear water and soft white sand, perfect for floating or paddleboarding.

If you’re here to surf, Tamarindo is the most popular spot, especially for beginners. More advanced surfers should check out Playa Avellanas (“Little Hawaii”) or Playa Negra for more challenging breaks.

And for a front-row seat to a legendary Pacific sunset, it’s hard to beat Playa Langosta, Playa Hermosa, or a sunset catamaran cruise where you’ll watch the sky melt into gold from the middle of the ocean.