Guanacaste
Pacific beaches, surf, dry forests and volcanoes draw travelers to northwestern Costa Rica, where the dry season runs from November to May.
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Guanacaste is a province in northwestern Costa Rica on the Pacific coast, bordering Nicaragua to the north. Its capital is Liberia, about 210 km from San José. Liberia's airport, named after Daniel Oduber, is the province's international gateway, with flights from North America and Europe. The province has more than 640 km of coastline, and the Nicoya Peninsula, the largest peninsula in Costa Rica, lies to the southwest and encloses the Gulf of Nicoya.
Guanacaste is considered Costa Rica's leading tourist destination, known for beaches, dry forests, volcanoes, rivers and national parks. Santa Rosa National Park, created in 1973, is the oldest national park in the province. The dry season runs from November to May, with little rain and strong heat, and it is the best time for beach holidays. From May to October, showers fall on most days. Lowland temperatures range from about 20 to 33 °C. The province is the most sparsely populated in Costa Rica.
Guanacaste in five
- Fly into LiberiaLiberia (LIR) is minutes from the beaches, while San José is about 4 hours away by road.Liberia guide
- Rent a car for the coastBeach towns are spread out and many side roads are unpaved. A 4x4 helps in the rainy months.
- Treat every beach as unguardedLifeguards are scarce, so pick beaches where locals swim and ask your hotel or a surf school about the day's conditions before you go in.
- Know that beaches are publicBy law Costa Rica's beaches are public, even in front of resorts. Use public access points.
- Plan green-season days around the morningsFrom May to November afternoon storms are common. Swim, surf and drive early, and keep afternoons flexible, since unpaved beach roads turn to mud.
Things to do in Guanacaste
See all attractions in Guanacaste
Need to know
- Airport
- Liberia (LIR); San José (SJO) about 4 hours away
- Getting there
- Direct flights to Liberia from the US and Canada
- Getting around
- Rental car; many beach roads are unpaved
- Best base
- Tamarindo for surf and food, Playas del Coco near the airport
- Time needed
- 4–7 days
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Mixed
- Poor
- JanuaryClear4 rainy daysHigh32°Low23°Dry, windyJanuaryClear
Best
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 11 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, windy
- FebruaryClear2 rainy daysHigh33°Low23°DryFebruaryClear
Best
- High
- 33°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry
- MarchClear4 rainy daysHigh34°Low23°Hottest dryMarchClear
Best
- High
- 34°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 18 mm
- Rainy days
- 4
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hottest dry
- AprilRain12 rainy daysHigh35°Low24°Hot, dustyAprilRain
Mixed
- High
- 35°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 12
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dusty
- MayRain26 rainy daysHigh32°Low25°Rains startMayRain
Poor
- High
- 32°
- Low
- 25°
- Precipitation
- 349 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rains start
- JuneRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Green seasonJuneRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 501 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Green season
- JulyRain22 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°Short dry spellJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 271 mm
- Rainy days
- 22
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Short dry spell
- AugustRain25 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°ShowersAugustRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 352 mm
- Rainy days
- 25
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Showers
- SeptemberRain29 rainy daysHigh30°Low23°RainySeptemberRain
Poor
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 403 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- OctoberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°WettestOctoberRain
Poor
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 537 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Wettest
- NovemberRain19 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Rain easingNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 246 mm
- Rainy days
- 19
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rain easing
- DecemberPartly cloudy6 rainy daysHigh30°Low22°Dry, busyDecemberPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Dry, busy
Average daily high and low in Liberia, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Guanacaste
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
29
- Feels like
- 33°
- Humidity
- 69%
- Wind
- 12 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 73%
Guanacaste
04:06 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today32°24°73%Monday: Rain. High 32°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 73%.
- Tue31°24°93%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Wed25°23°99%Wednesday: Rain. High 25°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Thu24°23°99%Thursday: Rain. High 24°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
- Fri25°22°96%Friday: Rain. High 25°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 96%.
- Sat24°22°100%Saturday: Rain. High 24°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Sun31°23°96%Sunday: Thunderstorms. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
Updated 03:33 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
Before you go to Guanacaste
We may earn a commission. It never decides our picks.
Rules for Guanacaste, checked
- Rip currents are very common on Costa Rican beaches and there are often no lifeguards; seek reliable local advice before swimming (UK FCDO advice).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Plan around Guanacaste
Guanacaste as one part of a longer route.
Read the guideLiberiaThe airport city: car rental and first drive.
Read the guidePlaya TamarindoSurf lessons, restaurants and an estuary.
Read the guidePlaya SámaraA gentle 4 km bay for families.
Read the guideNorthwestern Costa RicaVolcano parks and hot springs inland.
Read the guideMonteverdeCloud forest, a long drive from the coast.
Read the guideArenalThe volcano and La Fortuna's hot springs.
Read the guideGuanacaste FAQ
When is the dry season in Guanacaste?
Roughly December to April, when rain is rare. The green season from May to November brings afternoon storms, with September and October the wettest.
Which airport is best for Guanacaste?
Liberia (LIR). It is close to the beaches, while San José is about 4 hours away.
Do I need a 4x4 in Guanacaste?
Not for the main roads, but many beach and side roads are unpaved, and a 4x4 helps in the rainy months.
How many days do you need in Guanacaste?
Four to seven days for a beach base plus one volcano or forest day. Pick one or two beach towns rather than many, because distances on rough roads add up.
Is Guanacaste worth visiting in the rainy season?
Yes, with a plan. Mornings are often clear and the green season brings fewer visitors, but September and October are the wettest and some unpaved roads are hard to drive without a 4x4.