Guancaste |
| Sunday, 24 February 2008 00:00 |
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Welcome to Guanacaste, the north-westernmost Costa Rican province. It borders with Nicaragua to the north, Alajuela province to the east, and the Pacific Ocean to the west.
Guanacaste is a sheer endlessly vast landscape, covered mostly with savannah grass during dry season, giving it the look of a golden sea. During raining season the region shows an entirely different face: dense tropical rain forest. Guanacaste is often referred to as the Texas of Middle America, the vast countryside only freckled with trees and herds of white zebus. The locals are called Guanacastecos and are an independent nation, and their friendliness and hospitality have risen to fame Guanacaste has three national parks, containing, amongst others, the volcanoes Orosi, and Rincon de la Vieja. We recommend taking your rental car through Santa Rosa National Park, Guanacaste National Park, and Rincon de la Vieja National Park. The Parque Nacional Guanacaste stretches between the volcanoes Orosi and Cacao as well as the Pacific Ocean. Tropical and dry, rain and cloud forests as well as mangrove swamps are all part of the gorgeous scenery and home to numerous species. Another national park, the Parque Nacional Santa Rosa is just as diverse in terms of scenery and has two of the most beautiful beaches of the country: Nancite and Narnjo. The fauna includes monkeys, bats, and boars. Your rental car will take you to the third national park in the province’s mountains: the Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja, covering an area of 35,000 acres. The approach is not the most comfortable one, as the roads are mostly sandy and bumpy, but the adventure is very much worth it, as the countryside that awaits you inside the park is simply astonishing. A number of marked hiking trails take you to the unspoiled heart of the park and to Las Pailas at the foot of the Rincon de la Vieja volcano. These hot springs consist of numerous bubbling mud holes and sulfur lakes, spread over 20 acres, painting the surrounding rocks yellow, red, and green. This unique phenomenon is best enjoyed during April and Mai, as your chances of escaping the rain are best during these months. However, it is recommended to carry rain clothes at all times, as weather tends to be a bit unpredictable in these areas. The park offers accommodation for those that like to extend their stay, for example the Hacienda Guachipelin Lodge and the Rincon de la Vieja Mountain Lodge near the Las Pailas park entrance. The Buena Vista Lodge is more difficult to get to but has excellent facilities and a gorgeous setting. It is located 8.5 miles north of Liberia and includes a 10 mile ride along a sand road. Guanacaste has several beautiful beaches, the northern ones particularly popular among surfers. Wicht’s Rock has the best waves among the Playa Naranjo in the Santa Rosa National Park. Getting there requires a slightly bumpy ride, but you do get rewarded with an incredible surfing experience. The Nicoya peninsula south of Guanacaste has quiet, magnificent beaches that will appeal more to romantic traveller. |
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