Costa Rica - Costa Rica News

No region represents Costa Rica's coastal opulence better than the Northwestern province of Guanacaste. The driest part of the country, Guanacaste is a popular destination among sun worshippers of all types. Its beaches run the gamut, from pristine coves set deep within the wilderness of a national park, to modern resorts complete with four-star hotels, gourmet restaurants and charter boats equipped for sport fishing and other aquatic adventures. Guanacaste's wind-swept beaches, separated by rocky bluffs and backed by patches of tropical dry forest, evoke what southern California's coastline might have looked like a century ago. But unlike California, the forests of Guanacaste are home for troops of howler monkeys, and flocks of parrots.

Stretching south from Costa Rica's border with Nicaragua, down the western edge of Nicoya Peninsula, Guanacaste's coast is divided by rocky points into dozens of beaches. Those on the Santa Rosa Peninsula are wild and isolated, visited only by adventurous nature lovers, dedicated surfers and nesting sea turtles. The Gulf of Papagayo, to the south of that peninsula, features more accessible beaches, many of which slope down into the tranquil waters of Culebra Bay. That bay's calm and crystalline waters offer excellent conditions for swimming, skin diving, windsurfing and other aquatic diversions. Some of the country's newest luxury hotels overlook Culebra Bay from such beaches as Hermosa and Panama. Playa del Coco, the region's principal port and a colorful little fishing town, is set in a deep cove with a long beach of dark sand and calm waters, while Ocotal, to the south, lies in a similar but considerably smaller bay.If you follow the coast south from the Gulf of Papagayo, the beaches become more exposed the Pacific's whims, which means the sea can resemble a swimming pool one week and raise waves large enough to please expert surfers the next. At such serene spots as beaches Pan de Azucar, Potrero, Brasilito and Conchal, you won't have to share the beach with crowds of tourists, since relatively few accommodations complement the costal beauty there.

Playa Flamingo's white sand each is attractive enough to justify the handful of hotels that overlook it but the modern fleet of charter boats docked in its marina are as much of a draw for many people. One of Guanacaste's major sport fishing spots, Flamingo provides anglers access to some of the best sail and marlin fishing in the world, and consequently the site of an annual sailfish tournament. Tamarindo, to the south, features a long swath of fine packed sand backed by the best selection of hotels and restaurants available in the region. A popular spot among surfers, Tamarindo has several equally impressive beaches nearby, such as Playa Grande, and important sea turtle nesting beach, and Junquillal, a long stretch of sand bordered by forest with accommodations of its own. As you head south from there, the reads get rougher and the hotels grow scarcer, but the scenery doesn't suffer in the least bit. Nosara is a spectacular spot that combines the charms of long, empty beaches with the wildlife that inhabits patches of rare tropical dry forest. Such beaches as Garza, Carrillo and Islita offer similar combinations of coastal and sylvan beauty, while the pale, hard-packed sand of Samara is complemented by a wider selection of accommodations and is a little easier reach.

Turning towards the Gulf of Nicoya you will find laid-back Montezuma and Tambor featuring a variety of hotels for all tastes and budgets.

Islands refuges, rainforest reserves and white water rivers are just a few of the natural attractions available along the country's Central Pacific Coast. The port town of Puntarenas, due west of San Jose, is the gateway to the Gulf of Nicoya and the southern tip of the peninsula of the same name. Though the beach that stretches along the city Is a bit urban, the coast by the mouth of the nearby Barranca River offers a more natural setting, and excellent conditions for surfing. Ferries cross the Nicoya's gulf from Puntarenas, passing rugged and wild islands, and providing access to the southern tip of the Nicoya Peninsula.

An array of natural assets includes calm seas, gorgeous beaches, rainforest reserves and waterfalls. The road that follows the coast south from Puntarenas not only winds past some impressive panoramas, it leads to two of the country's most popular beach resorts: Jaco and Manuel Antonio. The palm-lined, sugar-sand beach of Jaco was one of the first in Costa Rica to be developed as a resort, and it consequently boasts an abundance of hotels, restaurants, shops and services. A popular spot with surfers, who are drawn there by its consistent waves, Jaco lies near several natural attractions that are worthy excursions for travelers who tire of beach life.

Nearby you will find Punta Leona, which includes an extensive forest reserve. Further to the south lies the equally popular resort of Manuel Antonio, which is famous for its unforgettable coastal scenery, exuberant tropical nature and ample selection of outdoor adventures. Manuel Antonio National Park protects beaches, rainforest, reefs and islands, but there is also plenty of beach and forest outside the park that is easy to explore, and with pastime possibilities that include sport fishing, horseback riding, white water rafting, snorkeling, sea kayaking, sunset cruises and a bit of nightlife, you'll never be at a loss for what to do.

One of the wildest and most spectacular regions in Costa Rica, the southwest coast is rich in natural assets and low of tourists, which makes it an ideal destination for anyone who wants to stray from the beaten path. The area around Dominical features such dramatic coastal scenery as deserted beaches, rugged offshore islands and steep hillsides draped with lush vegetation.Much of the region's rainforest is protected within private reserves, several of which have impressive waterfalls to complement the flora and fauna. The coast and islands south of Uvita Point are protected within Ballena National Marine Park, which was named for the whales that are occasionally seen there. There are plenty of small lodges scattered along the coast and tucked into the hills between Dominical and Coronado offering a choice of accommodations that caters to all tastes and budgets.

The Osa Peninsula, further to the south, is an even wilder area, with beaches that have hardly changed during the last five centuries. Corcovado National Park covers one thirdo of the peninsula, and if you make the effort to hike down one of that park's secluded beaches, you'll be jus as likely to encounter monkeys and scarlet macaws as you are another human being. About a dozen nature lodges are located along the coast near Corcovado, in such wild and isolated enclaves as Drake Bay, to the north of the park, and Matapalo, on the peninsula's southern tip. Across the Golfo Dulce from the peninsula are more isolated nature lodges and tranquil beach towns set between tropical forests and marine wonders.

Zancudo, located within the gulf, provides opportunities for sport fishing and nature observation, while Pavones, on the southern edge of the gulf's mouth, is a legendary surfing spot that has plenty to offer bird watchers and botanists as well