The province of Guanacaste occupies most of this region. This vast extension holds countless beaches and picturesque towns and villages filled with an important historical and cultural heritage. Several protected areas and national parks await visitors with an ample offer of activities.

The highland feature active volcanoes and the lowland are pastoral, fertile and filled with cattle ranches. This region tends to be a little than other parts of the country and aside from the volcanoes, it boasts several lakes and one of the last remnants of Tropical Dry Forest left in Central America.

The extraordinarily beautiful warm-water beaches of the Papagayo Gulf will make of your visit a wonderful experience. These beaches are facing the tropical dry forest -located around 296 Km. northeast from San José, 5 hours by car-. The marine life of these places is abundant: manta rays with 4 to 6m fin spans, other rays, huge schools of fish, and plenty of coral reef life among others.

Paradisiacal white-sand beaches make true your most inner dreams of romanticism, comfort and contentment. Conchal Beach is called that way for its many shells (conchas) that pile up on the beach. Its clear water and calm sea is nice for snorkeling and swimming. The breathtaking Flamingo Beach is one of the better-known beaches in Costa Rica, a marine has been developed for sport fishing and boat tours.

On Tamarindo Beach, you will have more than 2 Km. of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica under your feet. Just North of Tamarindo village, you will find Las Baulas de Guanacaste Marine National Park, which was created in 1991 and covers about 22,000 hectares of ocean and 420 hectares of land. A great habitat for bird species including the beautiful roseate spoonbill as well as for caimans and crocodiles.

Grande Beach, inside the park, is the most important nesting site for the leatherback turtle (baula) in Costa Rica. It is seen from October to March and mostly from November to January. More than 100 reptiles lay their eggs on Playa Grande during the course of a night, creating about 2,500 nests each season.

Rincon de la Vieja National Park located north of the province; a volcano that rises from the Jungle is only one of its wonders. Since 1860 the volcano has erupted 12 times. However scientists believe that the abundance of fumarolas, boiling mud pots, springs and sulfuric steam helps to gradually let enough pressure to prevent a large explosion.

Activities you may perform: Scuba diving, snorkeling, golf, diving, horseback riding, surfing, sailing, sport fishing, visit to Catalina Island, and visit to Murciélago Island, turtle-watching tours in season, canopy tours, mountain bike among others.

CENTRAL PACIFIC ZONE

This is the place where you will fulfill your desires for fun and adventure. The Central Pacific area is located from Puntarenas (a 100,000 inhabitants town) to Quepos. Going south you will find Doña Ana Beach, Mata Limón Beach, Tárcoles Beach, Punta Leona Beach- which has white sand -, Herradura Beach - that homes a marina and luxury hotel and condominium complex- and Jacó Beach- only two hours from San José and popular among young people.

Carara Biological Reserve is at the mouth of Río Tárcoles, around 50-km southeast of Puntarenas by road. It has 4,700 hectares, and it is the northern most tropical wet forest on the Pacific coast, in the transition zone to the tropical dry forest farther north, and five Holdridge Life Zones occur within the park. Some animals to see: scarlet macaws, iguanas, trogons, toucans, motmots, monkeys, squirrels, sloths, and agoutis among others.

Southern you will find the destination where sun, beach, and forest converge to shape an unforgettable vacation. Manuel Antonio National Park is also one of the most popular ones due to its lovely forest-backed tropical beaches, impressive rocky headlands with ocean and island views, and vibrant wildlife. A well-maintained trail network allows visitors to witness the unspoiled primary forest that grows along the high tide mark. Over 350 species of birds are reported in the park and surrounded area, and a variety of lizards, snakes, iguanas, monkeys, sloths, butterflies and other animals might be observed.

Activities to do in the area: golfing, sport fishing, scuba diving, ocean kayaks, surfing, windsurfing, jet skis, body boards, snorkeling, boat charters to various destinations available, tour to Tortuga Island, wildlife watching, bike rental, canopy tours, birdwatching, river rafting, sunset sailing and horseback riding among others.