The historic church of
San Blas is a testament to
the region's colonial heritage.
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Although centuries have passed the town seems suspended in time. Ox-drawn plows, machetes and straw hats are common in the countryside where farmers make the most out of their land. Traditional pottery is still a hot commodity and can be purchased on the streets just like it was when the native inhabitants sold it to neighbor tribes. The 500-year-old church of San Blas is another living testament to Nicoya’s charisma, an old fashioned adobe construction surrounded by a beautiful tree-shaded plaza.
However, the outskirts of the town are a whole different story. Wildlife runs free through the forests and the waves meet the land with enthusiasm rarely seen on other beaches. The infrastructure is more rustic and the natural beauty of the local flora and fauna steals the show.
PARQUE NACIONAL BARRA HONDA
Ages ago, nature started a detailed carving process that rendered Barra Honda National Park’s famous caverns. So far, 42 have been explored but scientists believe that many underground wonders are yet to be discovered.
The park protects 5,670 acres (2,295 ha) of wild limestone highlands located west of the Tempisque River flood plain. The adventure will take you through an exhilarating 100-foot (30 m) roped descent and into the caverns where you’ll encounter amazing dripstone formations, delicate stalagmites and stalactites, evidence of pre-Columbian exploration, and exclusive species of animals that have evolved to better suit their dark homes.
Save some energy for above-ground hiking through the dry forest, where monkeys, anteaters and scarlet macaws wander freely. Climb up to the top of Cerro Barra Honda (1,459 feet, 445 m) for the superb view of the Guanacaste landscape around the park.
An amazing sight and even more overwhelming experience: turtle nesting at Ostional.
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REFUGIO NACIONAL DE VIDA SILVESTRE OSTIONAL
There is something extraordinary about Ostional Nacional Wild Life Refuge, just ask the tens of thousands of Pacific ridley sea turtles that lay more than a million eggs on its sand.
Like clockwork, female turtles come ashore during the rainy months of July through November to pass their torch on to the new generation. The massive nesting episodes are known by the locals as arribadas (arrivals).
More than 100,000 nests may be made in one week in the hopes that a large percentage of hatchlings will survive predators such as crabs, coyotes, birds and humans.
Family ties: White-faced capuchin monkeys roam freely in Southern Guanacaste.
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After seven weeks in the sand, baby turtles dig their way up to the surface and wait until the cover of night to sprint towards the water. Many years later, as grown ups, these hatchlings will come back to the same shore to lay their eggs and continue the circle of life.
The Ostional refuge gives Mother Nature a hand protecting the beach and the offshore waters around it. Visitors are welcome to witness this phenomenon as long as they don’t interfere with the process. The nesting and breaking of the eggs may take a few hours but experiencing the miracle in the making will be well worth your time.
Grassland savannahs dominate the landscape near the coast.
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PLAYA SAMARA
The beaches in southern Guanacaste have a personality of their own: they’re laid back, wild and unexplored. Sámara beach, with its off-beat fishing village atmosphere, is the perfect example. Located in a hidden basin that faces the gorgeous bay, Sámara’s waters are pushed inland by the enticing ocean breeze attracting swimmers and surfers .
A few upscale developments cater to demanding tourists, but in general, accommodations are rustic and affordable drawing travelers on a budget and young Costa Ricans.
PLAYA GUIONES AND NOSARA
Relaxation is the name of the game at Nosara and Guiones beach. The wide coral-colored shore stretches for 2 miles (3.2 km) offering dozens of tide pools where you can unwind in knee-deep natural Jacuzzis. To top it off, a deluxe yoga retreat located in the middle of the forest promises to help you reach inner peace.
Turquoise waters water, blue sky and white sand intertwind at Flamingo beach creating the perfect tropical retreat
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Luxurious residential areas surround Nosara and rise up on the nearby mountains. Small hotels have also taken advantage of this charming natural setting where howler monkeys wander without restraint. Don’t worry about getting there because an in-town airstrip guarantees a stress-free journey.
MORE BEACHES
Unspoiled beaches line up along southern Guanacaste’s coast welcoming nature lovers. Sand is cooled down by pristine forests full of rare birds and hollering monkeys that like to tease unsuspecting passersby in this unique destination. Beautiful beaches like Carrillo, Corozalito, San Miguel, Coyote, Bongo, Junquillal and many more rest like astounding secrets waiting to be unveiled.
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