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How to use this guide

This selection is for getting round Guanacaste on very little: the beaches are public, the towns charge no admission and Llanos de Cortés Waterfall costs a few dollars. Almost everything needs a car, and the places fall into three areas, so the easy approach is one day for each.

In the north, the waterfall and Liberia town centre, the White City, fit into the same day, about 30 minutes apart on Route 1. Swim in the pool first, before the last entry at 3:30 p.m., and leave Liberia for the afternoon. On the coast, choose by plan: Conchal Beach for swimming in clear water and snorkelling from the shore, Tamarindo for a first surf lesson and the sunset, and Playa Avellanas for surfing with a small-village feel. Playa Ventanas, north of Playa Grande, suits you if you want a beach with no businesses. Inland, the Guaitil Chorotega pottery village and Diriá National Park are near Santa Cruz and go together in one outing.

If money is tight, stick to the beaches, Liberia and the Guaitil workshops, which charge nothing; on the coast you only pay for parking. If time is tight, skip Diriá: the last 6 km are gravel with a river crossing, and in the dry season the waterfall almost dries up.

Tips

• Conchal Beach has no facilities: bring water and cash for the attended car park in Brasilito, and snorkel at mid or low tide.
• For Playa Avellanas a high-clearance car is enough, no 4x4 needed. There are no cash machines, so bring cash for the guarded car park, ₡2,000 a day.
• In Tamarindo, do not surf near the estuary mouth or at dawn or dusk: crocodiles have been seen there.
• At Llanos de Cortés, use the official entrance, with toilets and showers at the car park; children under 7 go free.
• Playa Ventanas can have rip currents and strong waves, and there are no shops: bring food, water and something for shade.