Where To Go and What To Do in Costa Rica. (4 Day Trip Guide for Guanacaste)

November 14, 2023 by Monique Williams 1 Comment

Costa Rica’s beauty will remain etched in my brain forever. As each square mile was seemingly more beautiful than the next, it was so hard to narrow down my favorite spots. Without further ado, let’s talk about where you should go and what you should do in the area of Guanacaste in Costa Rica.

Stay in Los Pargos, Guanacaste, Costa Rica

Located in the beautiful town of Los Pargos, Guanacaste, Costa Rica is one of the most beautiful villas I have had the opportunity to stay in. This rustic yet modern villa is tucked away in what seems to be a jungle. It gives off an “illusion” that you’re the only one there. “Illusion” being the operative word, places such as Playa Negra and Playa Avellanas are a couple minutes away by car. Read an in depth write up of my stay at this villa here.

The villa is literally in the middle of the jungle.

Backyard of Villa.

The kitchen of our beautiful villa.

Catch a Sunset at Playa Negra.

Playa Negra is located within the neighborhood of Los Pargos in Guanacaste. Take the short drive to Playa Negra to catch one of the best sunsets you will ever witness.

Eat Dinner at Hotel Playa Negra.

After catching the sunset on the sand of Playa Negra, take a brief walk over to the restaurant at Hotel Playa Negra. Expect authentic Costa Rican food and some of the best plantain, pollo y arroz con frijoles you will ever have.

Spend the Day at Playa Tamarindo.

The town of Tamarindo had my heart from the moment I saw it. As opposed to the quiet area of Los Pargos, Tamarindo is a bit more lively with a myriad of restaurants, bars, clubs and shops to choose from. It is also located in the area of Guanacaste, making it a perfect Set up camp on the beach at 11:00 a.m. and stay for a late lunch/early dinner at one of the many choices that surrounds Playa Tamarindo.

Visit the Beautiful Orpendola Waterfall.

The Orpendola Waterfall was definitely my favorite part of this trip. This breathtaking waterfall is conveniently located in the Province of Guanacaste. Many of the waterfalls scattered in this area are a bit difficult to get to whether it be wading through rivers or all-day hiking. Fortunately, that is not the case for the Oropendola Waterfall. After a brief 20-25 minute walk you will smell, feel, hear and eventually behold the beauty that is the cascading waters of Orpendola. Be sure to get your tickets in advance through Hotel Hacienda Guachipelin.

Take a Yoga Class at Playa Negra Studio.

A trip to Costa Rica isn’t complete without a yoga session. Head to the Playa Negra Studio for a challenging early morning class to get your day started.

Have Breakfast at Corazón Surf Cafe.

After completing a challenging yoga class at Playa Negra Yoga, take a brief walk to Corazón Surf Cafe for some delicious breakfast.

Catch Your Last Sunset at Playa Avellanas, Santa Cruz.

For your last day in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, spend your evening at Playa Avellanas. Have a late but delicious lunch at Lola’s and then head to the sand to grab a spot to watch, what I like to call “the best show on Earth”.

Thank you for reading for reading this blog! Let me know if you’re planning a trip to Costa Rica so that I can share some insider tips! Additionally, if you’d like to know more about anything in this blog, you can watch my in-depth YouTube videos about my trip to Costa Rica!