Jonathan Gregson
Why visit Northwestern Costa Rica
What did you come to Costa Rica for? To lounge on pristine beaches and ride glorious waves? To hike up volcanoes and soak in geothermal springs? To spy on birds and monkeys and get lost among ancient trees? The northwestern corner of Costa Rica packs in all this and more. Unlike any other part of the country, Guanacaste – in the far northwest – is a wide, flat expanse of grasslands and dry tropical forest, where savanna vistas are broken only by windblown trees. Further east, the Cordillera de Guanacaste rises majestically out of the plains in a line of sputtering, steaming volcanic peaks that beg exploration. Further south, higher altitudes create misty, mystical cloud forests, teeming with life. What did you come to Costa Rica for? Here it is...
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Take your Costa Rica trip with Lonely Planet Journeys
Pick one of our ready-to-book trips or fully customize your own with help from our local experts.
bookable trip
Costa Rica: Wild Whitewater and Rugged Rainforests
8 days / 7 nights
highlights
- 1 Whitewater rafting down the rushing Pacuare River on an exciting and exhilarating guided tour
- 2 Searching for elusive and colorful quetzal birds during a San Gerardo de Dota birdwatching hike
- 3 Visiting the archaeological ruins of Guayabo National Park to uncover the secrets of the past
from $3,845
per person
Explore more trips
Explore more trips

12 days / 11 nights
Daring Adventures and Cultural Gems: Costa Rica's Rainforests, Volcanoes, and Coastal Oases
FROM $3,914
per person
Top places to visit in Northwestern Costa Rica
Discover the best attractions in Northwestern Costa Rica from must-see sights to unexpected hidden gems.
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