The North Pacific
The northern part of the Pacific coast of Costa Rica plays one of the most important roles in the development of tourism in Costa Rica.
In the two provinces, Guanacaste and Punatarenas, you can find the biggest hotels in the country, the most popular beaches and many visitors. A lot of this attractive zone constitutes the province of Guanacaste, which includes a large part of the Nicoya Peninsula.
The capital of Guanacaste, Liberia, now has an international airport, where charter flights from all over the world arrive. Also from Europe.
But the northern Pacific does not only have beaches to offer: The volcanoes Orosi and the volcano Rincon de la Vieja belong to the realm of the North Pacific, and are mostly unknown destinations for travelers
Guanacaste and the Nicoya Peninsula
Guanacaste is one of the seven provinces of Costa Rica
It has an area of approximately 10000 km ² and around 280,000 inhabitants and has over 1,000 km of coastline.
Life in Guanacaste is different than in the rest of Costa Rica, everything is quiet. This has to do, of course, with the ambient temperature.
Playa Junquillal: long, sandy beaches
The Playa Junquillal is one of the unknown gems in the north Pacific of Costa Rica
The miles-long sandy beach of Playa Junquillal 3, borders 9 other beaches: Playa Junquillal 1 – Playa Junquillal 10.
You can go on an hour-walk on pristine beaches, ride horses or just relax and unwind on the beach.
Reserva natural absoluta Cabo blanco
Nicoya Peninsula, near Mal País
This protected area lays within the south of the Nicoya Peninsula
The reserve is situated partly on the peninsula, but mostly, however, underneath the sea. Founded in 1963, this protected nature area offers rain forests on the land and a rich marine life in the 1800 hectares of protected water areas.
Playa el Carmen, Santa Teresa
Exclusive beaches, world class surf and breathtaking sunsets
All this has made Playa el Carmen and Santa Teresa one of the best-known "secret getaways" for adventurers. The lively town with surf shops, cafes and restaurants, did not loose touch with its agricultural roots. Farmers ride through the streets, chickens run free and life is calm and relaxed.
visit Barra Honda National Park
There are 46 limestone caves in the national park of Barra Honda
Barra Honda National Park is located in the north of Costa Rica, where the Nicoya Peninsula borders the mainland.
Unlike the volcanic rock in all of northern Costa Rica, the "basin of Rio Tempisque" is established on a foundation of limestone. Through millions of years of long erosion, the water has dug inside the numerous caves of limestones.
