As tourism in Costa Rica’s Guanacaste Province continues to increase in popularity, as do the choices for Guanacaste hotels. This part of the country is arguably experiencing the bulk of Costa Rica’s newer development, with one-time fishing towns like Tamarindo now identifying themselves as prime coastal resort towns. The Guanacaste Province is found in the northwest corner of Costa Rica, and it stretches from the Nicaraguan border down to the picturesque Nicoya Peninsula. The Guanacaste beaches are quite simply some of the best in Central America, offering a fit for just about any taste and preference. Inland, the region’s national parks hold wonders such as dry, tropical forests and soaring volcanoes. As for nice beach hotels Guanacaste surely has a bunch, and Guanacaste rentals in the form of vacation homes is a fast-developing industry. Visitors might head up the coast to enjoy Guanacaste and all it has to offer, perhaps after a visit to the also popular Manuel Antonio National Park. With a new international airport in the hub city of Liberia, however, visitors can fly straight into the heart of the Guanacaste region, where spending all of your Costa Rica vacation is certainly understandable.
Most visitors to Guanacaste will plan to spend at least a few days at one or more of the beach hotels Guanacaste properties, and with new resorts constantly springing up, the choices keep getting better and better. While the luxury Guanacaste hotels and elegant Guanacaste rentals surely aren’t in short supply, those traveling on a tighter budget will appreciate the fact that there are just as many lodging choices that are easy on the wallet. At Playa del Coco, which is just 20 miles west of Liberia, you can find a bunch of cheap Guanacaste hotels, and up and down the coast, the abundance of low-priced options allows you to explore different towns. What is particularly interesting about the Guanacaste lodging options is the fact that you can find a good amount of bed and breakfasts. At Playa del Coco, the Villa del Sol bed and breakfast caters to those looking to stay in a quieter part of town. Mid-priced, it offers seven spacious rooms and 6 deluxe studios. Those looking for the epitome of luxurious Playa del Coco hotels will likely opt for the El Ocotal Beach Resort. Playa Ocotal is just a few miles south of Playa del Coco, and it also offers the Hotel Villa Casa Blanca bed and breakfast. Those interested in Guanacaste rentals can book a stay at an area house or condo through the Hotel Villa Casa Blanca, and as is the case with most Guanacaste hotels, the staff will be happy to help you plan any expeditions in the province.
South of Playa del Coco, the town of Tamarindo is one
of the primary hot spots for Guanacaste development, with
beach hotels Guanacaste options to fit almost any price
range. In Tamarindo and nearby Playa Grande, Guanacaste
rentals come mostly in the form of condos and beach houses
that can be rented for varying lengths of time.
Backpackers and surfers alike tend to appreciate the Guanacaste
beach hotels that offer affordable cabin rentals, such
as the moderately-priced Cabinas Las Olas and the budget-priced
Cabinas Dolly. There is a nice collection of luxury
hotels in Tamarindo where you will find gobs of amenities
and friendly service. A recommended luxury Guanacaste
hotel in Tamarindo is the Hotel and Villas Cala Luna,
whose villas are particularly luxurious. Bohemian-minded
Costa Rica travelers might head to Tamarindo to enjoy
the “Yoga retreat-style” Hotel Panacea de
la Montana. North of Playa del Coco, the luxury
resorts that are premiering on the Papagayo Gulf offer
some tantalizing beach hotels Guanacaste selections, such
as the new Hilton
Papagayo Resort. Further north, Playa Nosara
offers a destination that is more residential neighborhood
than beach town. It is a great place to consider
staying at one of the many Guanacaste rentals.
As relaxing and calming as the beach can be, the inland
jungles and volcanoes provide a setting which might be
more relaxing still. The Arenal
National Park is among the most visited inland Guanacaste
destinations, and the town of La
Fortuna has some nice Guanacaste lodging options.
The Arenal Springs Hotel is an example of the kind of
relaxing setting that you can find at the more luxurious
Arenal area hotels, offering stunning views of the Arenal
Volcano. For a bit of a different experience, you
might choose to book a stay at the more rustic, yet surprisingly
luxurious Finca Luna Nueva rainforest lodge. Not
only a hotel, the Finca Luna Nueva is also a farm, and
educational experiences can be had on its organic grounds.
The cloud forest setting found at the Lands in Love Hotel
also makes it a most intriguing hotel choice in Guanacaste.
You can book a canopy
tour here, go horseback riding, or explore a canyon,
among other activities. Birdwatchers, families and
anyone who simply loves nature will find these Arenal
hotels to be a perfect fit. There are Guanacaste
hotels near Arenal to fit all budgets, and many of the
hotels offer tour packages for the area and for Lake Arenal.
Anywhere you go in Guanacaste, you will find that suitable
accommodations aren’t too far off. The high
season for Guanacaste hotels generally runs from December-April,
when cold northerners come looking for a warm and sunny
respite. Rates tend to go down in the offseason,
which is also generally true when dealing with the Guanacaste
rentals.