Costa Rica's Gold Coast

       The popularity of Costa Rica with travelers has exploded over the last several decades, and its not hard to see why.  From the lush tropical rain forests with superb adventure and eco-tourism, to great year-round climate, and great beaches and some of the friendliest people on the planet; Costa Rica has become known as a perfect place for a tropical vacation.  Most visitors discover the wonders of the country either by visiting during a cruise to Costa Rica's Caribbean coast or staying at one of the resorts along the eastern coast.  While the Caribbean coast has some stunning national parks; the beaches good but not what would be considered world class, and the rain season is followed by a real rain season.  If you want to really experience the perfect Costa Rica, you need travel to the other end of the country, in the northwest along the Pacific Ocean to the the province of Guanacaste- or it has come to be called- Costa Rica's "Gold Coast".

The Gold Coast
       Guanacaste is Costa Rica's northwestern most province, and is home to towering volcanoes, tracts of untamed wilderness, a string of stunning pristine beaches, and near perfect sunny temperate weather.  Liberia, with its whitewashed adobe houses anchors the northern part of the province and is the easiest way  to fly into the region.  There are three national parks (Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, and Rincon de la Vieja) to the north, and the many spectacular and uncrowded beaches making up the provinces western edge.  Because it is somewhat isolated and under populated, the natural beauty is just being discovered by the outside world.  But while some world class resorts have been built on the beaches, and the airport in Liberia is connected to dozens of airports in the US, you will still need a car to get around and the lack of crowds will make everywhere feel remote and relaxed, just as it has for hundreds of years.

 Fun in the Sun
       Accessible from Liberia along the well maintained Highway 21, many of the provinces beaches extend south from Culebra Bay.  Separated by lush headlands, the rainbow-shaped basins have drawn the attention of world class resorts from companies like Hyatt and AM Resorts.  Even with the new development, the beaches are still home to local fishing communities.  Scuba diving, sunbathing and some of the best surfing in the world are all popular; the key is to know which beach is best for each activity.

       As howler monkey swing in adjacent trees, swimmers will love the dark sand and calm waves at Playa Hermosa.  The benefit of eating fresh steamed mussels or scallops from one of the small restaurants on the beach as you sit in an Adirondack chair looking out at absolutely stunning sunset over the ocean, something everyone should experience.  Further south, gorgeous Playa Grande, a part of Las Baulas National Marine Park, which protects nearly 1000 acres of Pacific shoreline and 54000 more acres at sea, offers offers some great scuba diving and snorkeling; and features many untouched coral reefs to view and explore.  For surfing, try the beaches at Playa Tamarindo for some world class waves or lessons.

Wild and Volcanic
      East of Santa Cruz, is the 32000 acre Palo Verde national park, which is a birder's wonderland.  It can be explored mainly by boat, where will will ply marshes teeming with life to spot snowy egrets, great blue herons, crocodiles and white faced monkeys.  If action and adventure is more to your liking, check out the mighty Rincon de la Vieja volcano.  Located 15 miles north of Liberia, the volcano looms over the region and is part of a dramatic 34800 acre national park of the same name.  The park has nine craters, including the park's active namesake.  You can spend the day doing a challenging summit hike, which affords sweeping Pacific and Caribbean views.  On the trails you may see all sorts of wildlife, from sloths to rows of leaf-carrying ants.  The rustic lodges in the area offer a vast amount of activities, from mineral-rich hot springs to soak your tired muscles, to horseback riding to animal watching to the ultimate, zip lining through the tree canopy, as holler monkeys bellow all around you as exotic birds swoop all around you.  This is like much of the "Gold Coast" is itself - a thrill.