The best things to do in Guanacaste and Alajuela (Costa Rica’s undiscovered tour guide)

Where in Costa Rica is Alajuela and Guanacaste located?

Alajuela is one of Costa Rica’s provinces, and it can be found in the country’s geographic center. To the north, it shares a border with Nicaragua, and to the south, west, and north, it borders Nicaragua, Heredia, San José, Puntarenas, and Guanacaste, respectively. City of Alajuela is the capital. A total of 876,073 people call this province home across an area of 9,757.53 km2. Each of the province’s 15 cantons is further split into 111 districts.

Arenal Volcano, Poás Volcano, and Juan Castro Blanco National Parks, as well as Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, Arenal Lake, and the San Carlos River, are among the most popular destinations.

Some of Costa Rica’s most distinctive scenery is in Guanacaste. Due to its many leisure options, Guanacaste draws both domestic and foreign tourists. Costa Rica’s 34,800-acre Rincon de la Vieja National Park has six dwelling zones. From the active volcanoes and deep black soils to the breathtaking waterfalls, this park is a nature lover’s heaven. Hikers can explore the park’s habitats and dwarf and montane cloud forests by climbing the volcanoes.

It’s no surprise that Guanacaste, in Costa Rica’s northern region, has some of the country’s most gorgeous beaches.

Explore the hidden hillsides of Tenorio Volcano.

This magical place first opened to help protect and preserve endemic species in a non-government protected area on top of Tenorio Volcano and make tourism in Rio Naranjo more sustainable. The landowners of this property, known as Huella Verde, are a local family who bought the land 39 years ago and are now dedicated to conserving and protecting the natural environment. There are four viewpoints in all, with the main one featuring a viewing platform where you may relax and watch the sunset. This place has a special tour of the property that includes a 3.5-kilometer hike to waterfalls that are hard to find. This place is in Guanacaste, close to Alajuela. Is recommended that you arrive in a 4×4 vehicle.

Visit the tallest volcano in the Guanacaste region. (Miravalles Volcano).

Volcanoes and soothing hot springs are two of Costa Rica’s more well-known natural attractions. People from all over the world visit La Fortuna and Rincon de la Vieja to soak in the hot springs and take in the views of the volcanoes. But not every Costa Rican volcano is as well-known as Arenal. The Miravalles Volcano, which offers comparable facilities, is, however, home to only a small number of isolated farming communities. You’ll feel like a true Costa Rican in this area, as there are few tourists around.

The Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica is home to the Miravalles Volcano. The popular beach towns of Playa Hermosa, Playa Conchal, and Playa Tamarindo are only about 1.5–2 hours away. On the southwest side of the volcano are the small towns of Guayabal and Fortuna. These communities provide a glimpse into the culture of the area through their largely rural landscapes, rolling farm fields, small neighborhoods, and, of course, their soccer fields.

The Miravalles Volcano has some fascinating physical characteristics. At 6,654 feet, it is the highest peak in the Guanacaste range (2,028 meters). While the volcano is currently dormant, it is still a significant heat source. Several nearby factories run by the Costa Rican government’s electric institute (ICE) use the volcano’s geothermal heat to generate electricity. Keep your eyes peeled for the hot, snaking passageways as you travel through the city. Additionally, the area is home to numerous wind turbines that aid in the country’s environmental efforts.

Follow the fresh tapir footprints into the woodland.

The Tapir Valley in northern Costa Rica is a true outdoor paradise. Follow fresh tapir tracks and explore lush forests, trek across diverse terrains, and enjoy incredible views from the various, carefully designed platforms. No matter what you’re looking for, here, experienced guides will be able to help you design your ideal day while they share their deep knowledge and passion of the area. With plenty to explore, the Tapir Valley is the perfect spot to immerse yourself in the rainforest’s rich culture and diverse wildlife. Follow tapir tracks into the forests, go for a challenging hike, or simply admire the view from one of the observation platforms—all of which are set in stunning landscapes such as grassland, wetlands, rivers, hummingbird gardens, and secondary jungle. From your morning coffee to a quiet riverside dinner, your adventure awaits in the Tapir Valley.

Discover Haute Cuisine that embodies our region.

At El Salto Restaurant, diners can experience a one of a kind gastronomic adventure in which fresh ingredients from Origins Luxury Resort’s gardens and lakes, combined with native Costa Rican produce such as fruits, wildflowers and plants, form a unique combination of French-inspired dishes, each brimming with intense, varied flavors. Using ingredients such as mint, turmeric, ginger, basil, thyme and rosemary, these flavors are sure to captivate and tantalize the palate of all diners. Furthermore, due to the expansive culinary experience of the head chef, no two dishes are alike, as new and creative ways to combine these ingredients are constantly being explored. Whether the dish is traditional, experimental or classic, the ever-present objective is to capture the purest flavors that Costa Rica has to offer and make them accessible to diners in a delightful culinary form. With such a tantalizing array of food options, it’s no surprise that El Salto Restaurant has become one of the top restaurants in the region.

Take a Tube Ride Down Rio Celeste.

Rio Celeste is a breathtaking river located in the region of Tenorio Volcano in Costa Rica. Known for its aquamarine-colored water, the river’s hue is created from two separate mountain rivers, both with a slightly different shade of blue, that combine together to form Rio Celeste. Tubing down the river is one of the best ways to take in the majestic landscape of the park. Riding along the gentle rapids and calm waters allows visitors to truly experience the beauty of the river, from its lush, emerald jungle walls to its tranquil blue waters. It’s the perfect way to immerse yourself in the area and truly take in the wonder of Rio Celeste.

Hike to a hilltop to see Bijagua.

The length of the trail in its entirety is 4.7 kilometers and lasts 2 hours. The difficulty is about average, and there is a cascade involved. The route offers a wide array of different chances for recreational pursuits. Here you will have the opportunity to view species of premontane rainforest, transitional forest, while traveling along this path. The inviting clarity of the water in these waterfalls makes the background even more stunning. There are also waterfalls that come out of the rocky cliffs, different kinds of birds and animals, and a breathtaking view of the town of Bijagua and its green surroundings from an observation point. This place is 2 kilometers southwest of Banco Nacional de Bijagua.

An immersive natural and cacao sensory experience.

The tour starts with an explanation of how a cacao process  gets started, including the grafting, tree development, and the harvesting process.

The cacao variety this place has, which is one of the best on the market, will be explained. More than 1000 pipa trees are currently in production, and you will be able to see some animals mowing the trees. The guides provide a funny experience tasting the sweet cocoa flavor, and before you finish your trip in the open air, This place is huge, so the walk will also introduce you to a wide variety of medicinal and attractive plants. Biodiversity is everywhere, so you may also witness the variety of animals, such as sloths, howler monkeys, frogs, toucans, and other types of birds.

The trip includes a beautiful view of the rivers Chimura and Santo Domingo, which are just a few meters apart at the end of the trail, and you will be able to enjoy an incredible view.

With this information at your disposal, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to experience authentic Costa Rica in less-visited places. Leave a comment below and please share this article if you found it helpful.

Explore the Costa Rican rainforest by crossing breathtaking hanging bridges.

Located between the high peaks of the Miravalles and Tenorio Volcanoes is the Heliconias Rainforest, which is famous for its stunning hanging bridges. The entire trip takes around two hours and takes you down winding trails and across hanging bridges through a paradise of tropical plants and trees and clear, running water. You can get a bird’s-eye view of the forest floor below, where many of Costa Rica’s most iconic species make their homes, from this vantage point in the treetops. Tapirs, sloths, howler monkeys, and toucans are just a few of the animals that may be living there. From certain points, you can see breathtaking scenery all the way to Lake Nicaragua. Conservation of these ecosystems is crucial to the continued health of Costa Rica’s diverse plant and animal life. Suspension bridges in the Guanacaste rainforest are designed to allow visitors to safely enter the jungle’s interior without disrupting the natural environment. This hike is perfect for beginners and groups traveling with kids.

With this information at your disposal, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to experience authentic Costa Rica in less-visited places. Leave a comment below and please share this article if you found it helpful.

With this information at your disposal, you’ll have no shortage of opportunities to experience authentic Costa Rica in less-visited places. Leave a comment below and please share this article if you found it helpful.