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North Pacific – Guanacaste
Trade routes with the northern empires of the Maya and the Olmec civilizations kept the region a focal point of cultural activity. Surprisingly different from the other six provinces, it remains a vestigial arm of mysterious cultures which have disappeared along with their language. The power of attraction in the area comes from a combination of its pre-Columbian past as well as its showcase atmosphere as a habitat for rare and endangered species found in protected parks like Santa Rosa. The coast is a crooked line of bays, peninsulas, cave-lined rocky ridges and sandy beaches that have attracted man and beast for thousands of years. Even the marine life is directed to this coast by favorable currents which wash the shoreline and carry the origins of the food chain that eventually leads to the ocean’s largest game fish. National parks and reserves are found throughout the province and their numbers and sizes continue to grow, guaranteeing future generations the opportunity to see many of the species that will become the last of their kind, regionally and globally. Attractions/Activities: the beaches, turtle nesting (in season), National Parks. Horseback riding, hiking, fishing, scuba diving, and surfing.
Santa Rosa Park Dry heat penetrates every aspect of life on the Guanacaste plateau where wind and a six month rainy season temporarily wash away the signs of draught. Santa Rosa National Park sits atop this plateau with its western boundaries stretching into the Pacific. The dry tropical forest which covers a large percentage of the park is one of the remaining tracts of an environment that covered much of the coast of Central America until only a few decades ago. One of the attractions which has brought international publicity to Costa Rica and Santa Rosa is the “arribada” of the Pacific Ridley sea turtle which takes place each year on one of the park’s protected beaches. One, of only two beaches, which experiences an “arribada” with this species the turtle remains protected from outside intervention.
Ostional National Wildlife Refuge The 248-hectare Ostional National Wildlife Refuge begins at Punta India and extends along 15 km of shoreline to Punta Guiones, 8 km south of Nosara. It incorporates the beaches of Playa Ostional, Playa Nosara, and Playa Guiones. The refuge was created to protect one of two vitally important nesting sites in Costa Rica for the lore, or olive Ridley turtle. Ostional was named by the World Conference for the Conservation of Sea Turtles as one of the world’s most important sea turtle hatcheries (peak season is August and September), and singly or in small groups at other times during the year.
Las Baulas Marine Turtle National Park The 445-hectare Las Baulas National Park formerly Tamarindo National Wildlife Refuge protects not only the prime nesting site of the Leatherback turtle on the Pacific coast, but also the mangrove estuary that forms the boundary of Tamarindo Beach, plus 22,000 hectares out to sea. There are turtles at Playa Grande year round. The nesting season for the giant Leatherback is October through April, when females come ashore every night at high tide.
Curu National Wildlife Refuge This private reserve is tucked in the fold of Golfo Curu, four km south of Paquera. Olive Ridley and hawksbill turtles nest on the crystalline beaches. Mangrove swamps extend inland along the Rio Curu, backed by forested hills. Whales are often sighted offshore (January is reportedly the best month). Birds include motmots, white-fronted amazons, laughing hawks, and lineated woodpeckers, in addition to at least 111 other species. Mammals include agoutis, ocelots, margays, pumas, howler and capuchin monkeys, white tailed deer, sloths, and anteaters.
Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve This jewel of nature at the very tip of the Nicoya Peninsula is where Costa Rica started preserving its natural resources with a 1,172-hectare reserve.
Tortuga Island This stunningly beautiful, 320-hectare island is a popular day-trip from Puntarenas. It’s a 14-km (90-minute) journey aboard any of half-a-dozen cruise boats. Tortuga is as close to an idyllic tropical isle as you’ll find hereabouts. The main attraction is a magnificent white-sand beach lined with tall coconut palms. You can snorkel, swim, play volleyball, hike, or simply snooze in the sun. The boats pass by Islas San Lucas, Guayabo, and Negritos en route. Calypso Cruises with the new Manta Ray (booked on all our programs) is the only boat able to beach directly on the sand of Tortuga Island without using a tender. Your buffet lunch on the beach will be one of the best you’ll have in Costa Rica, with fare such as mahi-mahi in shrimp sauce, salads, and tortillas.
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