With over sixty kilometers of Pacific coastline from Playa Panama in the north to Playa Junquillal in the south, Costa Rica’s Gold Coast offers dozens of beaches, with sands ranging from sugar white to the browns and greys of volcanic sand, and a range of coastal ecosystems to explore.
Whether looking for a vacation destination or a relocation option, Costa Rica has much to offer. The entire county lies within the tropical zone just north of Panama. The name itself, meaning “Rich Coast”, reflects the country’s beauty. Costa Rica boasts some of Central America’s most beautiful beaches along both its Pacific and Caribbean coasts, with mountainous rainforests and jungles running through the country’s center. It is world-renowned for its rich and diverse series of ecosystems and micro-climates, each with a unique combination of terrain, flora, and fauna. With .03% of the world’s land mass, it claims 91,000 animal and plant species, equivalent to 4.5% of the species identified globally, making it one of the most biodiverse regions in the world. Costa Rica is known internationally as one of the greenest countries in the world, being the only country to meet all five of the UN Development Program’s criteria for measuring environmental sustainability. Nearly 25% of Costa Rica’s land area is protected, and its advanced environmental policies are aimed at achieving national carbon neutral status by 2021. The country’s tourism logo, “Costa Rica – No Artificial Ingredients”, says it all.
The country has a thriving economy, powered mainly by tourism, with a focus on ecotourism, and a vibrant high-technology industrial sector in the capital of San Jose. Regularly ranked highly for its safe and peaceful quality of life, Costa Rica is a stable democracy which abolished its military in 1949 and invests in progressive social policies, universal education, and advanced health care. Costa Rica’s strong democratic traditions are reflected in its hosting of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights and the United Nations’ University for Peace.
Costa Rica – the very best of what life has to offer.
One of the strongest motivations to move to Central America is the climate, and Costa Rica has an amazing variety of micro-climates within its borders. Of the country’s seven provinces, Guanacaste is one of the warmest and sunniest, with year-round tropical temperatures ranging from 21 to 35 degrees Celsius. The dry summer season runs from December to April, and its average nine hours of sunshine, little to no rain, and temperatures averaging around 27 degrees Celsius make it the busiest tourist season. From May to November, during the rainy winter season, the temperature highs are slightly lower, and a typical day includes rain showers mixed with sunshine.
The natural beauty of Guanacaste includes ancient volcanoes in the thick jungle in the east, with rivers flowing down through flatlands to wetlands, and then spilling into the Gulf of Nicoya. Explore the Palo Verde National Park to be surrounded by monkeys, crocodiles, and a multitude of bird species, or the Leatherback Marine Turtle National Park, an important nesting site which is protected to support dwindling turtle populations. Experience world-renowned canopy tours by suspended walkways, zip lines or aerial trams to explore the treetop ecology and forest environments. Visit the cloud forests hovering in mist 1,000 meters above sea level, and the dry forest ecosystems with their varied wildlife. And of course, the beaches – with their different types of sand and crystalline waters, give you the opportunity to explore a completely different landscape within a few kilometers, as you go from beach to beach.
Guanacaste – natural beauty with something for everyone.
With over sixty kilometers of Pacific coastline from Playa Panama in the north to Playa Junquillal in the south, Costa Rica’s Gold Coast is serviced by the modern, newly developed international airport in Liberia, allowing you to access the northern communities of the Gold Coast within 20 minutes, and the southern beaches within 1½ hour. Playas Del Coco retains its flavor as a traditional fishing community on a volcanic sand beach and has a lively nightlife, while Playa Flamingo, with its gently curving white sand bay, features upscale resorts and deluxe villas. The beach at Playa Conchal, as indicated by its name, is made of millions of crushed seashells, and the Reserva Conchal development here boasts the Robert Trent Jones III designed golf course. Playa Tamarindo has developed from a sleepy fishing village to the Gold Coast’s premier resort area, with surfing, sport fishing, diving and snorkeling activities, and a full range of restaurants and boutique shops and hotels. Supermarkets are found in most communities, offering the foods and products you expect from home, and street markets and vendors supplement with local fresh produce and seafood. Amenities such as high-speed internet, cable TV and cell coverage are widespread, and clean drinking water is available everywhere.
Tamarindo is one of the most popular districts on Costa Rica’s Gold Coast, in the province of Guanacaste, famous for its natural beauty, surfing and relaxing beach life. This town offers a broad range of amenities in terms of accommodation, restaurants, shops, and activities to satisfy all tastes and lifestyles. Hotels, condos and luxury resorts with five-star spas are available for those on vacation, and restaurants range from small «sodas», serving local food, to family-friendly establishments to formal dining. Well-known for its extensive beach and surfing, Tamarindo has two primary breaks for the die-hard surfers, and several smaller beach breaks for beginners, while numerous surf shops are available to supply you with needed equipment or lessons to hone your skills. If you are looking for adventure, zip-lining, watersports, fishing, and premium championship golf courses are all in the area. Playa Grande is home to a population of leatherback turtles and a turtle rescue program, reflecting the commitment to environmental protection and the green policies of Costa Rica. The heart of the town is a vibrant mix of beach culture with modern conveniences encompassing all the comforts of the life to which you are accustomed. Large supermarkets are complemented by local markets and roadside stands, offering fresh fruits and vegetables and specialty foods, including a range of imported products. There is quality health care with a 24- hour local emergency medical clinic nearby including a laboratory, as well as ambulance service to the regional hospital if required. Tamarindo also has a local airport, as well as multicultural and bilingual schools for families.
When thinking of relocating, the Tamarindo area can meet all of your needs.
Getting to the Gold Coast is simplest through the new and modern Daniel Oduber International Airport, located just outside Liberia in the north of Guanacaste. Placed about an hour away from the Gold Coast communities, the airport receives flights from all over the world, many of which are direct from a number of airports in Canada and the continental USA.
If you want to visit the capital of Costa Rica, the San Jose national airport is another option, from which you can take a local 45-minute flight to either the Liberia airport or the local airport just outside of Tamarindo. Alternatively, you could rent a car and make the scenic four-hour drive across the mountains of San Jose and Puntarenas, down to the Gold Coast.
