Santa Cruz, located in the Guanacaste province of Costa Rica, is often viewed as a stopover on the way to the province’s beaches. But the city is worth a visit, especially for those who want to explore Costa Rican folklore and traditions such as marimba playing and pottery. Known for its cattle industry, Santa Cruz often hosts rodeos, bullfights, and colorful fiestas, which means there are always plenty of lively things to do in this Costa Rican city.
The best time to visit Costa Rica is in the dry season, from December to April. This summer high season is the most popular, so expect large crowds of North American and European tourists. Consider visiting Santa Cruz in January when the city honors its patron saint, Santo Cristo de Esquipulas, with dances, parties, and local delicacies. Many Costa Ricans attend this festival. Every July, the annexation of Nicoya from Nicaragua to Costa Rica is celebrated throughout Guanacaste, particularly in Nicoya and Liberia.
If you plan to explore Santa Cruz and the Guanacaste province, you’ll want to fly into the Guanacaste Airport, officially known as the Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport (LIR). It’s about an hour’s drive from there to Santa Cruz. You can get around Guanacaste via taxi, shuttle, or bus. If you plan to head to the coast, consider getting a rental car; keep in mind that the roads in the southern end of the province are usually dirt tracks and may be tricky to navigate.
From Santa Cruz, consider making a trip to Guaitil, which is known for its Chorotega-style ceramic crafts, as well as regional dishes made with corn such as atol de maiz,tamal de elote, and tortillas revueltas. Corn is an important crop in Guanacaste; it’s used in beverages like el pinol and el chicheme, a popular hot corn drink at parties. It ferments naturally, after which sugar, ginger, water, and ground cloves are added.
