Things to do in  Guanacaste and Northwest

The landscape of Rincon de la Vieja National Park is a dramatic one—bubbling mud pits give way to misty waterfalls, and the rainforest provides shelter to quetzals, monkeys, and jaguars. It feels like a dozen biomes overlapping, but the natural beauty remains consistent. Costa Rica’s commitment to environmental protection is on full display in this national park.

Wisps of fog trail through the lofty canopy of the 35,089-acre (14,200-hectare) Monteverde Cloud Forest Biological Preserve in the Costa Rica highlands, creating the perfect environment for thousands of animal and plant species. Here you can find wild orchids, colorful birds, sinuous jungle cats, and scenic mountaintop vistas. Among the natural crown jewels here is the brilliant-hued resplendent quetzal—a bucket-list sighting for bird-watchers from around the globe.

Clear water, grottos, and saunas make up the Baldi Hot Springs complex, whose 25 different pools are heated by the Arenal Volcano and surrounded by the Costa Rican jungle. Progressing down the side of the mountain, the thermal pools at the top are the hottest, and they cool down as you go. Waterfalls, slides, and hidden spots mean there’s something new around every corner.

Once the site of a quiet fishing village, Tamarindo Beach has become one of Costa Rica's most popular stretches of golden sand. Surfers travel from across the globe to ride Tamarindo's waves, but you don’t need to be a pro to hang 10 here. There are spots nearby that are calm enough for first-time wave riders to learn.

Nestled in the lush interior of Rincon de la Vieja National Park, these rustic hot springs are fed by a naturally heated river that flows from a nearby volcanic peak. Slather on the mineral-rich mud, and then soak it off in a variety of steam pools, all while surrounded by the untamed Costa Rican rain forest.

Llanos de Cortés is one of Costa Rica’s most scenic waterfalls, just a short drive from Liberia, a city more commonly used as a jumping-off point for the country’s Pacific beaches, rather than jungle swimming holes. The waterfall is about 40 feet (12 meters) tall and 50 feet (15 meters) wide and creates a gorgeous veil of white water streaming over the rocks.

Set on the banks of the Tempisque River, Palo Verde National Park (Parque Nacional Palo Verde) contains more than 15 topographical zones, including mangrove swamps, evergreen forests, and tropical dry forests. The park is a haven for migratory birds, bats, and 250 species of bees, plus mammals like jaguarundis (cat) and howler monkeys.

A one-stop shop for adventurers of all ages looking to get their adrenaline fix, Diamante Eco Adventure Park features one of Costa Rica’s longest zipline courses. If that’s not quite your thing, choose from an abundance of other activities, including all-terrain vehicle excursions, horseback riding, and water sports—or just marvel at the sweeping ocean views.

Hidden away in a rocky cove and reachable only on foot, Conchal Beach (Playa Conchal) is one of Guanacaste province’s prettiest seashores. Famous for its white and pink-hued sands—made almost entirely of crushed seashells—it’s a popular spot to swim, snorkel, and stroll. Check into one of the two luxury resorts that front the undeveloped beach or walk over from neighboring Brasilito Beach (Playa Brasilito).

Once undiscovered in Costa Rica’s northwest, Tenorio Volcano National Park is now a destination thanks to its valley and mountain landscapes teeming with biodiversity. The park’s star attractions include its twin volcanoes (Tenorio and Miravalles), and the otherworldly Rio Celeste and waterfall, which runs a luminous shade of blue.

Towering above Costa Rica’s northwestern plains, Miravalles Volcano is the highest peak in the Guanacaste province. The dormant peak’s microclimate makes it one of the best birdwatching spots in Costa Rica, while its refreshingly cool air offers respite from the tropical humidity of the nearby beaches.

Home to more than 200 speices of rare bird, Caño Negro is one of the most biologically rich wetlands in the world. Many mammals and reptiles can also be spotted around the freshwater lagoon, making it one of Costa Rica's best wildlife-watching destinations.

Travel back to a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth at Costa Rica’s one-of-a-kind amusement park, where animatronic dinosaurs inhabit the leafy jungle. Moving, life-size replicas of the giant creatures are a hit with kids and the young at heart, while a nearby hot springs resort offers a way to relax after your prehistoric adventure.

Tucked away in the mountains, the Monteverde Butterfly Gardens is one of the most popular attractions in the area. The 3-acre (1.2-hectare) sanctuary houses four unique climate-controlled habitats where more than 30 species of butterflies thrive alongside 20 species of arachnids and insects and a colony of leaf-cutter ants.

Las Pumas Rescue Center (Centro de Rescate Las Pumas) rescues and rehabilitates wildlife and advocates rainforest conservation efforts in the Guanacaste Province near Cañas, Costa Rica. The sanctuary sits on an old farm in the heart of the Santa Rosa Sector Guanacaste Conservation Area (Area de Conservación Guanacaste), both a network of protected areas and a World Heritage Site. The center rescues large cats primarily, but it also works to provide a safe home to monkeys, deer, parrots, and other animals.