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Looking for Things to Do In Guanacaste, Costa Rica? Look No Further!

Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica is located in the country's northwestern part. The province has nearly 400 miles of beautiful Pacific coastline. Guanacaste is unique in that unlike Costa Rica’s other provinces, it receives little rain and consistent heat from November to April, creating the area’s famous dry tropical forest. These stunning beaches and dry heat over North American winter make the area popular with tourists like me who despise humidity and can’t bear to sweat in public.

In addition to gorgeous beaches, the area has several national parks, a wildlife refuge, multiple waterfalls, volcanoes, and the bulk of Costa Rica’s all-inclusive resorts. One trip to Guanacaste and you’ll be exclaiming “Pura Vida!” (pure life) just like the locals. It’s the unofficial motto of Costa Rica, one of the happiest countries on Earth.

Admittedly, Guanacaste is a large area. If you’re looking for a hip little beach town in Guanacaste to start your travels, I highly recommend the town of Samara. This incredible guide to the town of Samara, Costa Rica is a great way to plan your travels. Conversely, you may be looking to plan a larger Costa Rican Road Trip. I recommend 2 weeks in Costa Rica to see the country’s major highlights. Have even more time? Check out this amazing 3 week Costa Rica Itinerary.

Whether you’re traveling alone, with friends, or with kids, Costa Rica has something for you. However, if you are traveling with kids, I urge you to check out this 6-Day Costa Rica with Kids itinerary.

Nearest Airport to Guanacaste, Costa Rica

To get to Guanacaste you’ll fly into Guanacaste International Airport, also known as Liberia International Airport, or Daniel Oduber Quirós International Airport. I know, that’s a lot of aka’s. It’s like the Kaye of airports, but less problematic. While the name has changed a few times in recent years the airport code remains the same: LIR.

Direct flights are available to LIR from the US from Los Angeles, Austin, Charlotte, Chicago, Dallas/Fort Worth, Miami, Atlanta, Minneapolis/St. Paul, Orlando, New York City, Boston, Denver, Baltimore, Newark, San Francisco, and Houston. Direct flights are also available from Canada, The UK, Netherlands, Switzerland, and Panama.

The Best Time To Visit Costa Rica

The best time to visit Costa Rica really depends on where you’re going. If you’re looking to visit Guanacaste I recommend the dry season from mid-December to April. There’s also a mini dry season in Guanacaste in July. Of course you should also take into consideration that this is also peak tourist season. If you’re looking for cheaper rates and less crowds you might consider visiting outside these months.

Power Adapters and Voltage Converters in Costa Rica - What You Need To Know

Costa Rica uses Plug A & Plug B types. They operate on 120V, 60Hz current.

Depending on where you’re visiting from, you may need to pack power adapters. Make sure you check and see, do you need a power adapter for Costa Rica.

How to Get Around Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Guanacaste has many all-inclusive resorts. If you are staying at a hotel or resort it’s recommended that you book a shuttle with your hotel to get to the property. If the hotel does not have a shuttle, ask if they can arrange pick up by the local red taxi company.

Hotels can also arrange taxi pick up and drop off to local attractions, shopping areas, restaurants, and beaches. Renting a car can be tricky in Costa Rica due to the many scams and poor infrastructure, so if you’re thinking about getting a rental car, it’s important that you fully research the reality of driving in Costa Rica.

Many resorts also offer group tours within Guanacaste, Costa Rica, and neighboring Nicaragua. Transportation and meals are included many times, making this an easy option if you want to avoid the headache of navigating these roads on your own.

One thing I will note is that most taxi drivers in Costa Rica speak minimal English. If you are leaving the hotel in a taxi and you do not speak Spanish, make sure the hotel staff clearly communicates to your driver where you are going. If you need return transit back to the hotel some taxi drivers will be happy to pick you up and bring you back to your resort. Just make sure you ask beforehand, clearly communicate the time of pick up, and select a landmark to meet at.

Many Red Taxi Service locations will have units with ramps and wheelchair accessibility. You can reach any red taxi service at (506) 2666 2000.

Where to Stay in Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The Guanacaste region of Costa Rica is packed with all-inclusive resorts and hotels. Many of which are wheelchair accessible and provide excellent views of the Guanacaste coast. Below I’ll go over some of the best wheelchair-accessible hotels at each price point to help you plan the best trip no matter what your budget.

Luxury Hotels

W Costa Rica Resort Playa Conchal - This 5-star hotel and resort offers multiple accessible features including elevators, a self-operating lift or sloped entry into all hotel swimming pools, an accessible spa, restaurant, fitness center, and common areas, and wheelchair-accessible guest rooms.

The W is perched between the Guanacaste Coast and Reserva Conchal, a sprawling nature reserve. Their website says the property is “a haven for wildlife and a playground for free spirits.”

JW Marriott Guanacaste Resort and Spa - Another stunning 5-star property, the JW Marriott offers beach bonfires, rafting excursions, kayak tours, and more!

The property has elevators, an accessible pool, a spa, business centers, and restaurants. There are multiple mobility-accessible rooms.

Four Seasons Guanacaste - The pinnacle of luxury, The Four Seasons Guanacaste is located on the Papagayo Peninsula. This 5-star resort has flat access, ramps, a pool lift elevator, accessible rooms, and accessible common area bathrooms. It also has beach access and available beach wheelchairs. The resort offers paddle boarding, scuba diving, and kayaking as well as spa amenities.

Riu Palace Costa Rica - ALL-INCLUSIVE - With specials as low as $105 USD/ night the price on this 5-star property can’t be beaten. Located on the seafront of Mata Palo Beach, Riu Palace offers a gym, table tennis, volleyball, a tennis court, windsurfing, sailing, snorkeling, kayaking, and other water activities. They were awarded Gold certification for the Travelife Sustainability System and offer a wide variety of restaurants, a top-of-the-line spa, and a water park!

All Riu properties have services and facilities adapted for people with reduced mobility, hearing loss, and visual impairments.

Mid Range Hotels

Hotel Tamarindo Diria Beach Resort - This family-owned and operated beachfront resort has a relaxed family-friendly atmosphere located right on Playa Tamarindo, one of Costa Rica’s most famous beaches. It’s also near the heart of the town of Tamarindo and its many bars, restaurants, and shops. You cannot beat the location as there are tons of things to do in Tamarindo.

Hotel Tamarindo is committed to providing accessibility to guests with disabilities.  Some of the many accessible features of the hotel and guest rooms are; an accessible restaurant, bar, convenience store, concierge, front desk, restrooms, wet bar, and rooms.

Capitán Suizo Beachfront Boutique Hotel - Consistently one of Conde Nast Traveler’s top 10 hotels in the Caribbean since 2015. This 4-star boutique hotel is right on the Tamarindo Beachfront and offers a spa, restaurant, and stunning garden that attracts a wide variety of local wildlife including monkeys, iguanas, butterflies, armadillos, and an assortment of tropical birds.

The rooms, bungalows, and suites are nothing short of stunning. However, there is only one wheelchair-accessible room at this smaller size property. It’s an Oceanfront Suite with a king-size bed, sofa bed, private bath, small refrigerator, safe deposit box, and coffee maker. It’s gorgeous, but since there is only one room like it, it may be difficult to find availability.

The common areas offer wheelchair-accessible paths.

Hacienda Guachipelin - You need only read this glowing review of Hacienda Guachipelin in Guanacaste to realize it’s an ideal setting for a Costa Rican vacation. The property sits at the foot of the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano and offers a beautiful garden, an outdoor pool, and a relaxing volcanic mud pool. The property offers a variety of excursions for guests as well as a bevy of fun activities.

Wheelchair-accessible rooms are available with lowered sinks, and bathroom grab rails.

Budget Hotels

Hotel La Puerta del Sol - Located in Playas del Coco, Hotel La Puerta del Sol is a retro gem offering quiet gardens, a pool, and Garden Bar & Restaurant, all a 5-minute walk to the beach. Rooms start at just $68/ night.

They also offer wheelchair-accessible rooms and common areas.

Wyndham Tamarindo - A 3-star hotel located in beautiful Tamarindo. Offering a swim-up bar and infinity pool, Wyndham Tamarindo is just moments from Tamarindo Bay. They also offer a free local shuttle, running every 60 minutes to the beach and other popular destinations.

The hotel has several accessible room types and wheelchair-accessible common areas.

Not into hotels? You could always consider staying in one of the many unique Airbnbs in Costa Rica. Costa Rica has a wide variety of exciting Airbnb opportunities including treehouses, lighthouses, beach apartments, and even an old airplane!

Best Excursions in Guanacaste Costa Rica and Neighboring Areas

1. Tempisque River Boat Tour In Palo Verde National Park

Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places in the world. While it accounts for only 0.03 percent of the earth's surface, it contains nearly 6 percent of the world's biodiversity. So much of this wildlife is viewable from the Tempisque River boat tour through Palo Verde National Park.

Most tours last about 5 hours and include pick up and drop off from your hotel. My recommendation is to get a tour that includes a river boat jungle cruise and a stop at Casona Hacienda el Viejo and Hacienda el Viejo wetlands.

Tico Tours Guanacaste offers a wheelchair-accessible Palo Verde Jungle Tour including a drive through sugar cane fields, and local towns, and a stop at Casona Hacienda el Viejo, a beautiful old house that belonged to 3 former presidents of Costa Rica. Guides then take you in a covered motor boat through the Tempisque River as you cruise through Palo Verde National Park looking for wildlife such as monkeys, crocodiles, iguanas, and all kinds of exotic birds, and bats. Finally, you’ll stop at the “ox-operated sugar mill” where they grind the cane with oxen. Guests can enjoy a taste of freshly squeezed cane juice.

Casona Hacienda Viejo Front View

Casona Hacienda Viejo Patio Side View

Casona Hacienda Viejo Property

Ox Pressing Fresh Sugar Cane

2. Llanos de Cortes Waterfall and Coffee tour

The Llanos de Cortes Waterfall is located near the town of Bagaces, just a half-hour south of Liberia. It's less than a two-hour trip from Tamarindo, Flamingo, Playa Conchal, Playa Hermosa, and other beach towns in Guanacaste. It’s often combined with coffee tours. Guests can spend the day sampling the freshet Costa Rican coffees roasted fresh from the farm, then take in the stunning views of Llanos de Cortez and even swim in its fresh waters.

Since getting to the waterfall involves a moderate hike and some stairs, it is not suitable for wheelchair users and may not be appropriate for those with mobility impairments.

I recommend the following 6-hour tour operated by Guanacaste Viajes and Tours which offers pick-up and drop-off from multiple hotels in Guanacaste: Llanos de Cortez Waterfall and Coffee Tour from Guanacaste.

3. Scuba Diving

The Pacific Ocean off the coast of Guanacaste holds a wide variety of sea life, from humpback whales to eels, colorful coral, and a wide variety of tropical fish. While SCUBA diving has been traditionally limited to able-bodied people, BA Divers is the first dive company in Costa Rica available to teach the Disabled Divers Course or DDI.

Located in Playa Hermosa, BA Divers is also available to pick up and drop off from a number of hotels and resorts in the Guanacaste region. They offer a variety of courses, from beginner to advanced, as well as open water dives and snorkeling excursions.

I highly recommend arranging all excursions, especially dive excursions before your trip, even more so if you’re interested in their DDI course. Space can be limited and excursions fill up quickly in the more popular seasons.

4. Snorkeling

One of my favorite things to do on any beach vacation, snorkeling is a must in Costa Rica. Most of the beachfront hotels will have access to great snorkeling or be able to arrange a boat excursion to a nearby reef. Again, I highly recommend BA Divers when it comes to great accessibility for disabled travelers.

5. Zip Line

Because it’s one of the more popular things to do in Costa Rica, I feel obligated to include it on my list. But I never recommend zip lining. Especially in places where laws protecting the safety of travelers may not be the best. See my experience in Belize for a few good reasons why you should really reconsider that zip-lining excursion.

Still interested? Okay, but don’t say I didn’t warn you. If you simply must experience zip-lining, there is only one place I would recommend, but it’s so much more than just a zipline course. See #6.

6. Diamante Eco Adventure Park

Diamante Eco Adventure Park is an Animal Sanctuary, Wildlife Education Center, and zip line course. The park also offers horseback riding tours, a Costa Rican cultural experience tour, and an ATV adventure. You may purchase tickets to any or all of these activities. Though you’ll get the best savings on the Diamante Eco Adventure Park Day Pass With Lunch.

If you want to see sloths and other native Costa Rican animals, this is a great place to responsibly do so. Please know that many places will offer wildlife experiences where you get to hold animals and take photos. This is often traumatic to the animal to be passed around all day to tourists and posed for photos. It’s really exciting to see some of these amazing creatures, but please make sure you are being responsible. Wildlife sanctuaries like Diamante allow you an up-close look in a responsible way.

The park is conveniently located near Playa Hermosa, Brasilito, Playa Flamingo, Culebra, and Potrero. The wildlife sanctuary and butterfly garden are also wheelchair-accessible. Wheelchair-accessible transportation can also be arranged to and from your hotel.

Diamante’s superman style ocean view zip line does not require the use of your hands to stop. Everything is automatic once you are strapped in. Which should eliminate the fear that you’ll mess up in a state of panic and leave yourself dangling in the middle of the line as I did. Their tandem zip lines allow you to soar side by side with a travel companion as you take in amazing views of the ocean and tree canopy below. This is literally one of the only locations I would even consider zip-lining if I were to try it again.

7. Las Baulas National Marine Park

Las Baulas National Park is a must-see experience for animal lovers who wish to see a wide variety of species in their natural habitat. The park supports the largest nesting colony of leatherback sea turtles on the Pacific coast of the Americas. It’s also home to 174 species of birds, numerous crocodiles, and other jungle animals. More than half the park is underwater but it still allows for water recreation like kayaking and surfing.

Nachotours provides a wheelchair-accessible Boat safari through Las Baulas. The tour lasts 2 hours and includes pick up and drop off from your hotel. Tours are available in both English and Spanish.

8. Arenal Volcano National Park

Located in the northern lowlands of Costa Rica near the beautiful town of La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano is one of the most photographed parts of Costa Rica.

Green Vacations Costa Rica provides a wheelchair-accessible tour of Arenal hanging bridges and the Volcan Arenal National Park. However, pick-up is only from properties in the Arenal and La Fortuna areas, making this a good tour option if you’re doing an overnight trip in the area. If you do decide to spend the night, there are plenty of amazing hotels in La Fortuna.

To drive to Arenal from the Papagayo area of Guanacaste takes almost 3 hours.

For day trips from the Guanacaste area to Arenal, you have your pick of several different tour companies, however, I have not heard of any which provide wheelchair-accessible tours. If you know of a tour company that does provide wheelchair-accessible tours from Guanacaste to Arenal Volcano National Park, please let me know in the comments below. I’d love to add them to this post.

9. Rio Celeste Waterfall & Tenorio National Park

90s R&B Group TLC once said, “don’t go chasing waterfalls.” In Costa Rica, you don’t have to. There are more than enough right there for the viewing.

Rio Celeste is located in Tenorio Volcano National Park, a 2 1/2 hour drive from the Papagayo area of Guanacaste.

Rio Celeste translates to “light blue river.” Local lore says that after God was finished painting the sky, he washed his paintbrushes in the river turning it into the brilliant blue we see today. There is an in and out trail going 3 1/2 miles through the park but be warned, it is challenging, largely unpaved, and involves stairs, making it unsuitable for most people with mobility issues and those not in good physical condition.

I’m including Tenorio on my list because it is one of the 5 most visited parks in Costa Rica. Unfortunately, while accessibility is improving throughout Costa Rica it has not reached Tenorio. I did not visit this park during my stay and I would not recommend it unless you’re someone with good physical stamina.

Native’s Way Costa Rica offers tours of Rio Celeste with pick-up from the beach areas resorts of Guanacaste.

10. Monteverde Cloud Forest

Another must-see part of any Costa Rican vacation. Only 1% of the Earth’s remaining forests are classified as cloud forests. If you’re wondering, Jenn, what on Earth is a cloud forest? It’s a forest at a high enough elevation where the trees are shrouded in clouds. The sky meets the earth here in this incredible paradise.

Monteverde cloud forest holds the record for having the most orchid species in a single space. It also has 2,500 plant species, 100 species of mammals, 400 bird species, and 120 reptile and amphibian species.

I recommend Monteverde Cloud Forest as its own overnight trip as there is plenty to do and it’s a 3+ hour trip each way from the Papagayo and Tamarindo areas of Guanacaste. Still, you may be able to find tours from your hotel to Monteverde, just be aware you will most likely have to depart at 6 am as it’s a full day activity with a ton of driving.

Wheel the World has a selection of wheelchair-accessible tours in Monteverde, including the Monteverde botanical gardens, a coffee and chocolate tour, and a Trail Walk through the Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve. All guides and staff members are incredibly knowledgeable about the area and have experience assisting people with disabilities.

One final word of warning, make sure you wear good solid walking shoes with great traction. Flip flops, sandals, and other beach shoes are not suitable here. You will slip and fall if not prepared.

11. Barra Honda National Park

Don’t pass up the opportunity to see every bit of paradise Costa Rica has to offer. Even if some of that paradise is surprisingly underground. Located on the Nicoya Peninsula, Barra Honda National Park is home to amazing limestone caves and caverns, as well as world-class stalagmites and stalactites. These limestone wonders date back 70 million years and yield evidence of life from as far back as 300 BC.

Of the 42 caves, only 19 have been explored. Of those 19, only 2 are open to the public. The first cave, Terciopelo, is the largest. However, while easy to navigate once inside, it sadly requires a 62-foot climb down a narrow ladder. This may be offputting or impossible for many travelers.

The smaller cave, La Cuevita, is less challenging and perfect for people with mobility issues and those with children. While it is a much easier and shorter cave, unfortunately, it is not wheelchair accessible.

Even if you have no interest in caving in Costa Rica, it’s worth making the trip to Barra Honda to walk some of the many hiking trails and see howler monkeys, scarlet Macaws, anteaters, and more!

Sadly the only wheelchair-accessible offering at Barra Honda is the bathroom.

**12. Santa Rosa National Park - *UNIVERSAL ACCESS TRAIL***

Santa Rosa National Park is the only park in Costa Rica with a universal access trail that doesn’t discriminate against people for their physical or mental condition. While other parks may have some wheelchair-accessible features, Santa Rosa has done the most work to be inclusive of all abilities. The park also has floor tiles and tactile maps, braille, and sculptures that blind visitors can touch and identify.

Santa Rosa is located a little over an hour north of the Tamarindo/ Papagayo areas. Some hotels may offer tours to this accessible paradise. If a tour is not available, or you wish to travel outside of a group they should be able to arrange private, wheelchair-accessible transport.

I found our hotel incredibly accommodating and taxi prices were quite reasonable. We did have issues with our return trip pick-up, so make sure when using a cab or hotel shuttle that you have your phone and the ability to make calls while overseas. I had to repeatedly call our hotel (a hotel that is not recommended in this post for a myriad of reasons) and ask to be picked up. We ended up waiting over an hour on the side of the road in the dark. Not ideal. Also, word of warning, if you cannot speak Spanish somewhat fluently you will have issues ordering a taxi. I’m not saying any of this to deter you from making the trip to Santa Rosa. I just want you to be prepared for any transportation hiccups.

13. Rincon de LA Vieja National Park

Rincon de la Vieja National Park is approximately 90 minutes from the Papagayo and Playa Hermosa areas. This national park is just over 34,000 acres and features 2 volcanoes, 32 rivers and streams, and even more of Costa Rica’s incredible variety of plants and animals.

Visitors can enjoy swimming, camping, picnicking, hot springs, horseback riding, hiking, birding, and more. Don’t expect to see the whole park in a day. This massive preserve stretches from the Pacific to the Caribean side of the country.

Costa Rica Green Life Tours offers a wheelchair-accessible private hiking tour to the Rincon de la Vieja Volcano National Park.

14. A Sunset Catamaran Ride

Sunset cruises are a boozy good time. There are many catamaran companies offering sunset excursions from Guanacaste Costa Rica. A lot of them are going to be filled with younger twenty-somethings on holiday and bachelor/ bachelorette parties. Be careful when choosing your catamaran excursion and read the reviews. It’s easy to get trapped on a 4 hour trip with blasting music and extremely drunk passengers. If this is not what you’re looking for it could be a very long afternoon. If it is what you’re looking for, congrats! That should be easy to find.

I highly recommend Panache Tours sunset catamaran excursions. They’re a little fancier than many companies and offer a variety of tours with both group and private options. They’re also one of the few catamaran tour companies that offer wheelchair-accessible excursions. They also include transportation in the area, drinks, snorkeling, snacks, kayaking, and paddle boarding. Tours depart from the Flamingo Beach area.

15. Day Trip to Granada Nicaragua

Many resorts will offer day trips to nearby Nicaragua. You can read my guide to Grenada and San Juan del Sur Nicaragua, here. While Grenada is largely as wheelchair accessible as Costa Rica, please be advised the political climates of the two countries are very different. There has been a great deal of political unrest in Nicaragua in recent years.

Click here for a Full Day Wheelchair Accessible Expedition to Nicaragua From Costa Rica.

Please check with the State Department website for up-to-date warnings regarding travel to Nicaragua.

Best Beaches in Guanacaste

Playas del Coco - This beautiful beach is located just off a boulevard, which allows wheelchair users to easily navigate the beachfront. Its proximity to Playa Hermosa, Playa Panamá, and Ocotal makes it one of the more popular beaches in Guanacaste.

Playa Hermosa - Located in Carillo, Guanacaste, Playa Hermosa was part of Costa Rica’s “Accessible Beach Project,” led by the Accessible Tourism Network Association and the Tourism Board. The beach features a 52-meter retractable walkway that provides access to the sea, as well as several amphibious chairs and other wheelchair-accessible facilities. The walkway is also incredibly unique in that it was made from recycled wood and 2,600 kilograms of plastic caps.

Tamarindo Beach - One of the most popular beaches in Guanacaste, Tamarindo is great for surfers, surrounded by amazing restaurants, and filled with sea shells and soft sand. Many of the restaurants and area shops have a flat entrance or ramp to the inside making them wheelchair accessible.

Wheelchair-accessible bathrooms are only found at area restaurants and hotels. Unfortunately, there are no accessible bathrooms on the beach itself.

Playa Grande - A great beach for snorkeling, kayaking, and enjoying other beach activities. It’s also close to numerous restaurants. Once again, the only accessible bathrooms will be inside nearby restaurants and hotels.

One More Thing You Can Do In Guanacaste Costa Rica… Gambling

My friend and I happened upon a few small casinos outside of some of the popular beach areas. Personally, I’m not a huge fan of gambling, to begin with, and gambling with foreign currency just takes my anxiety to a whole new level. But I decided to pull out the equivalent $50 USD and try my hand at the slots. Low and behold, I won this…!

2000 colones! The equivalent of approximately $2.92 USD. The confusing part is the MIL printed on their currency which made me think “million” and had me squealing with joy as if I had just won almost $3,000 USD. Which is about what it would have been were it actually 2 million colones. In reality, MIL equals one thousand.

Ah well, for a brief moment it was the best vacation of my life. Now it will just have to settle for being one of the best.

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