The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Guanacaste, Costa Rica
Fly four hours direct to Liberia to explore Costa Rica’s spectacular Guanacaste Province. Nicoya Peninsula (nicoyapeninsula.com/nicoya) promises a medley of charming small towns, tropical flora and fauna and a picturesque shoreline for beachgoers and surfers. It’s also one of the world’s five original Blue Zones: areas known for longevity and a concentration of centenarians.
Some of the Americas’ most idyllic beaches lie along this pristine stretch of Pacific coast in northwestern Costa Rica. With white sand and calm waters, Playa Conchal is ideal for snorkeling. The incredible breaks at Playa Tamarindo make it a surfing mecca.
One of the country’s natural wonders, Tenorio Volcano National Park (visitcostarica.com), is situated inland in Guanacaste’s volcanic mountain range. Visitors can immerse themselves in the tropical landscape — a wild forest of palms, ferns, bromeliads and orchids — while spotting white-faced monkeys, exotic birds and other wildlife. But the park’s jewel continues to be the brilliant and beautiful Rio Celeste, a turquoise blue waterfall worth the hike.
Perched at the northern edge of Nicoya, Four Seasons Resort Peninsula Papagayo (fourseasons.com/costarica) unveiled a fresh look in November 2023. Billing itself as an eco-luxury resort, the beachside property boasts a beach club, a wellness spa, an upgraded kids club and a new-and-improved Arnold Palmer Signature golf course. There are nine dining options ranging from Costa Rican street food to a Latin-American rum bar to Bahia, a wood-fired open kitchen serving locally sourced fare.
■ Essential Costa Rica, 509-2299-5800, visitcostarica.com