Guanacaste & Tamarindo Holidays

You’ll find loads of things to do on a holiday to Guanacaste. Brushed by the Pacific Ocean, this tropical province has beautiful beaches where you can swim, surf and sunbathe. And, if you can head inland, you’ll discover even more activities.

Ride the zip-lines at Diamante Eco Adventure Park. Visit Santa Rosa National Park or Palo Verde National Park to see some of Costa Rica’s famous wildlife, including sloths, monkeys, pumas, crocodiles and iguanas. Or get up close with the birds and the bees at Lomas de Barbudal.

When you want to see some of Costa Rica’s natural wonders, you can marvel at the twin volcanoes of Orosi and Cacao in Guanacaste National. Step into Rincon de la Vieja to see boiling mud pools, hot springs, stunning waterfalls, and natural swimming pools. Take a tour to Playa Grande to see leatherback turtles laying eggs in the moonlight. And dive among rays, reef sharks and sea turtles at the Catalina Islands.

One of the most popular towns in the Guanacaste region, Tamarindo is a magnet for surfers. Hire a board and hit the waves or, if you’re a total beginner, book in for lessons. There are lots of other watersports on offer, too, so you can go canoeing, kayaking or paddle-boarding. Go on a dolphin-watching trip, or take a canopied boat safari down the Tamarindo Estuary to spot crocodiles, exotic birds, and howler monkeys.

Back on dry land, you can ride a quad-bike along the beach, or ride through green pastures on horseback. In the evening, take a relaxing stroll along the golden sands, or watch the sunset from a laidback beach bar. After dark, Tamarindo’s bustling bars and night markets come to life. Prefer some peace and quiet? Go and watch sea turtles nesting at Baulas National Marine Park.

Discover Costa Rica’s finest beaches on your holiday to Guanacaste and the Gulf of Papagayo. You can escape to the calm, blue waters of Ocotal, or take a kayak out on to the clear waters of palm-lined Potrero.

Enjoy a dip in the warm waters of Playa Hermosa as mountains rise above the shore behind. Travelling with the family? Children will love the sandy shores of Playas del Coco, the protective shade at Playa Panama, and the beginner’s surfing at Samara. Serious surfers, meanwhile, can get their thrills at Playa Grande and the “Little Hawaii” of Playa Avellanas.

For something a little different, book your holiday for some time between October and February. You’ll be able to witness the mesmerising sight of hundreds of turtles coming ashore to lay their eggs. They gather at Playa Ostional in the south, or Playa Real just north of Tamarindo.

The mercury hovers between 26°C and 33°C throughout the year. So, whether you’re touring the diverse landscape or passing weeks at the beach, there’s no bad time to visit this northwest corner of Costa Rica.

Guanacaste is at its greenest from August to January so, if you’re eager to discover wildlife and nature, this is the best time to go. The rains make this part of the world lovely and lush – but Costa Rica’s tropical climate also means the downpours are brief, and blue skies soon return.

If you’re going on holiday to Guanacaste to enjoy lazy beach days, you’ll prefer the first half of the year, when you can expect uninterrupted sun and temperatures up to 35°C. Keen surfers, meanwhile, will find the swell best between May and November.