GUANACASTE REGION


Visitors can try their hand at cattle wrangling


An olive ridley sea turtle


Spa therapies use ingredients such as coffee


Guanacaste offers wellness and wildlife in abundance, as well as beaches and parkland


explored national parks and a thriving community of Costa Rican cowboys, Guanacaste is at the centre of all things wellness, hiking, surfing and more. Bordering Nicaragua on its


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northern side and the Pacific coast to the west, the region allows visitors to combine adventurous land-based activities and laid-back days on the beach.


Nicoya Peninsula: Wellness and waves To find out the secret of longevity, head to the Nicoya Peninsula. It’s one of five places in the world that’s known as a ‘Blue Zone’ – a place where people live longer than anywhere else. That’s partly down to the environment and its mineral- rich water, and partly the active


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ith some of the country’s most exhilarating waves, its least-


lifestyle, though it probably helps to know that the people of Costa Rica are also recognised as some of the happiest in the world. As a result, the region is a centre for wellness and visitors come from all over the world for rest and relaxation. One of the most popular places is Nosara Beach, home to many meditation and mindfulness retreats. The serene environment and exhilarating waves draw yogis and surfers alike, with many retreats combining both in one programme. Though if visitors need any more convincing to slow down their busy lives, send them to Guanacaste’s Playa Grande or Ostional Wildlife Refuge. These coastal spots are key nesting sites for leatherback and olive ridley turtles, and watching hatchlings make their way to the sea is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity not to be missed.


These coastal spots are key nesting sites for turtles, and watching hatchlings make their way to the sea is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity


Tenorio Volcano National Park: Birds and blue waters Set inland in the Guanacaste province, Tenorio Volcano National Park is one of the country’s youngest and least-visited rural areas. The active volcano, from which the park takes its name, and its surroundings provide endless hiking trails for those who like to explore the area on foot.


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