Beachside Luxury and Outdoor Adventure in Costa Rica

Costa Rica's Guanacaste province is justly renowned for its tropical, almost primeval landscape characterized by steaming volcanoes, dense cloud forests, and rushing rivers. Equally remarkable are the region's beaches—visitors flock to the crystal-blue waters to go swimming, scuba diving, and sportfishing. Bahia del Sol Hotel puts all of these activities within reach from its spot on the tranquil shores of Playa Portrero, one of the best swimming beaches in the area.

Popular inland adventures in Guanacaste include zipline tours, hikes through the forest, and tubing on the Guachipelin River. Catamaran tours take groups to secluded sites for kayaking or snorkeling, and it's common to see dolphins and whales passing through as they migrate south for the winter.

Back at the hotel, you can cool off in the outdoor pool, which wraps around a swim-up bar serving exotic cocktails and light snacks. At Bahia Restaurant, the chef crafts fresh seafood dishes and traditional Costa Rican favorites, including ceviche and gallo pinto, a spicy concoction made with rice and beans. At night, you can dine outside amid flickering tiki torches, palm trees, and views of the ocean.

Vibrant colors and natural-wood furnishings brighten guest rooms. Roomy two-bedroom suites are outfitted with full kitchens and private terraces overlooking the surrounding gardens. For an indulgent treat, visit the hotel's outdoor spa, where services range from deep-tissue massages to a full-body exfoliation treatment infused with coconut and chocolate.

Guanacaste, Costa Rica: Forested Mountains and Legendary Surfing Beaches

The province of Guanacaste in northwestern Costa Rica takes its name from the Guanacaste tree, an umbrella-shaped species also known, less picturesquely, as the earpod tree. These trees blanket the slopes of the Guanacaste and Tilaran Mountains, which help to shelter the coastline from rainstorms and keep the beaches warm and dry.

Stick to the shore of Tamarindo and you'll find plenty of waterfront activities. But it's worth heading farther afield to take in some of the province's national parks. Starting in October, Marino las Baulas National Park serves as a major nesting ground for leatherback turtles. And in the north, Santa Rosa National Park is known for its legendary surf breaks, including one made famous by the documentary The Endless Summer II.

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