Guanacaste - The North Pacific Coast

Guanacaste has seen unpararrelled growth over the last 15 years. After a few false starts the development really took off in the mid 1990s. The opening of a new international airport in the area just West of Liberia a few years ago means that many airlines now fly directly into Guanacaste where the beaches and Papagayo is only 20 minutes away.

The arrival of hotel chains like the Four Seasons signaled that the area was really coming into its own. Many major hotels are dotted along the impressive coast line from Papagayo down to South of Tamarindo. Known as the Gold Coast this area has some multi-million dollar homes and estates and has vacation homes owned by a number of well known stars including Mel Gibson and Woody Harelson among others.

Many outstanding beaches dot the shore lines, and the area is perfect for exploring small beach towns which litter the coast. Guanacaste boasts many excellent restaurants and different types of hotels. Excellent surfing can be found in the Tamarindo area and at witches rock.

A new bridge to the area, the Tempesique bridge, opened in 2003 and cuts the driving time to southern Guanacaste by about an hour. Many greta beaches in Guanacaste, Samara,- Flamingo,- Tamarindo-,Ocotal – Carrillo- Conchal- Brasalito- Pinilla, -Nosara- Coco to name but a few.

A new marina in PApagayo is now open- so bring your boat. Other marinas scheduled to open in 2011 in Coco.