General Information About Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Area: 10,140 KM2 or 6,300 square miles

Population: 224,631

Capital: Liberia, population 32,951. 175 miles from San José

Climate: Warm, average temperature 83 F

Altitude: 25 meters or 82 feet above sea level

Guanacaste is one of the largest and least populated of the seven provinces of Costa Rica. The province is known primarily for its cattle production, and it is often compared to the State of Texas for this reason. This comparison is not altogether erroneous as Guanacaste shares with Texas the long stretches of plains, which are ideal for cattle ranches.

The government has designated region the as a preferential tourism development area. In order to facilitate access, the Liberia airport was upgraded and extended so as to become the second international airport in the country. Foreign pensioners and investors have chosen the area for retirement, in Flamingo Beach there are mainly USA citizens, in Tamarindo and Playa Grande mostly Europeans and in Potrero predominantly Canadians. Guanacaste, like the rest of Costa Rica, has interesting national parks, which boast of lush flora and fauna, bird and wildlife.

Santa Cruz - This city has been declared Costa Rica's National Folklore City. Santa Cruz is famous for its colorful fiestas, which feature delicious native foods and dances, among them the Punto Guanacasteco. Santa Cruz is a short 30-minute drive south from Liberia.

Guaitil - This small town hosts one of Costa Rica's best centers for native ceramic handicrafts. Guaitil is situated amid Costa Rican cattle country between the cities of Santa Cruz and Nicoya. The Guaitil Art Cooperative continues the long tradition of fine Chorotega Indian ceramic crafts. Descendants of this Indian tribe own and operate the center while generating their modem creations employing the techniques of their forefathers.