Northwest Guanacaste is the hottest and driest region of Costa Rica, made more so by the area’s deforestation a few decades ago to make room for agriculture. It has its own arid beauty very distinct from the rest of Costa Rica. The weather is more humid, and the lower precipitation makes it a dependable tourist destination.

Temperatures range between 21ºC to 33ºC. In the summer the land bakes to several shades of brown and beige. Dust from unpaved roads coats the nearby foliage, and cattle crouch under the spreading shade of Guanacaste trees to find a bit of cool.

Late in the dry season (it usually starts around December or January and lasts four months), blossoming trees interrupt the endless brown with bright flashes of orange, pink and purple, adding some very welcome bursts of color to the landscape.

The remaining woodland is tropical dry forest, and it becomes greener and more humid further south. The region has several national parks and protected areas, including the Guanacaste National Park, the Las Baulas National Marine Park, the Diria National Forest, the Ostional Wildlife Refuge and the Werner Sauter Refuge. More than 300 species of birds make their home in the Pacific region of Guanacaste, including the King Vulture. The ocean off the coast holds manta rays, bull sharks and a whole variety of tropical fish, making it a top destination for scuba divers. Endangered leatherback turtles come to lay their eggs in Playa Grande, and endless varieties of reptiles - including crocodiles – are scattered everywhere. If you’re lucky you may even spot a Jaguar.