Guanacaste, Costa Rica

The beautiful province of Guanacaste on Costa Rica's North Pacific Coast got its name from one of the largest mimosa trees in the world, The Guanacaste Tree. Bordering the Pacific, the province is known for its endless beaches including Playa Blanca, with its calm waters, and Playa Hermosa, popular for diving and water sports.  Inland you'll appreciate the lush green forests and National Parks. Rincón de la Vieja National Park boasts hot springs and beautiful waterfalls whilst Santa Rosa National Park is home to rare dry tropical forest and surfing sites for those more activity-oriented. Bird-watchers are in for a visual feast with some 250 bird species recoded here. Papagayo Peninsula hosts luxury resorts and golf courses but tere are plenty of more mid-range lodges too, some in stunning locations with views that were just made for sun-downers on a candle-lit terrace.