One-Day Tours in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Arenal Volcanoarenal 0003 image by Tanguy de Saint Cyr from Fotolia.com
Costa Rica receives more tourists than any other country in Central America and is one of the top destinations in Latin America for adventure and eco-tourism. Many of the best beaches and most visited attractions in Costa Rica are located in the Guanacaste province in the northwestern region of the country. The Guanacaste province extends from the Nicaraguan border in the north to Puntarenas in the south and from the Pacific Ocean to Alajuela in the East. One-day tours are a great way to visit the spectacular and awe-inspiring attractions of the region. - Palo Verde National Park is located to the northwest of the Gulf of Nicoya in the Guanacaste region of Costa Rica and is one of the most important wetlands in all of Central America. The mangroves, swamps, marshes and lagoons of Palo Verde are home to a variety of exotic wildlife and the park is one of the top bird nesting sites in the world. A one-day tour to Palo Verde National Park includes a boat trip along the Bebedero River for wildlife watching. Palo Verde National Park is located 18.6 miles (30 km) southwest of the town of Cañas in Guanacaste province.
- The Arenal Volcano is one of the most active volcanoes in the Americas and one of the top tourist attractions in Costa Rica. Located just outside the small town of Fortuna, the Arenal Volcano erupted violently in the year 1968 and has been spewing rock and lava ever since. The area surrounding the Arenal Volcano National Park is home to waterfalls, mineral springs and hot springs. One-day tours to view the volcano include a visit to the nearby Tabacón Hot Springs. Arenal Volcano National Park is located 10.5 miles (17 km) west of the town of Fortuna along the eastern boundary of Guanacaste province.
- The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is situated at an elevation of 5,600 feet above sea level. Located north of the Gulf of Nicoya in the province of Puntarenas, the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve attracts all types of travelers. The area remains largely undeveloped and is one of the prime eco-tourism destinations in Costa Rica. A one-day tour to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve includes hiking along the park's well-marked trails past waterfalls and rivers. The Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is located 3.7 miles (6 km) along unpaved road southeast of the town of Santa Elena in Guanacaste province.
- Located along the eastern border of the Guanacaste province just beyond the Guanacaste mountain range lies the Rincón de la Vieja National Park. The park is home to the active Rincón de la Vieja Volcano which serves as its centerpiece. The Rincón de la Vieja National Park is the most diverse national park in Costa Rica and is home to several types of forest, various ecosystems and a wide variety of wildlife. A one-day tour includes walks through the park and a chance to view the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Rincón de la Vieja National Park is located 15.5 miles (25 km) northeast of Liberia along the eastern boundary of Guanacaste province.
- Granada is a beautifully restored colonial city located in neighboring Nicaragua. Founded in the year 1524, Granada boasts impressive architecture, historic landmarks and interesting culture. Granada is a lovely place to visit and one-day tours to this Nicaraguan city are extremely popular. Tours to Granada, Nicaragua typically include brief visits to Lake Nicaragua, the largest lake in Central America, and the nearby Masaya Volcano National Park where visitors can walk along the edge of the Santiago Crater. The city of Granada is located on the shore of Lake Nicaragua roughly an hour by car from the Costa Rican border post at Peñas Blancas in Guanacaste province.
