Liberia
With whitewashed walls and twin pillars flanking the front door, La Agon铆a typifies the Spanish colonial architecture that earned Liberia its 'White City' nickname. This is the city鈥檚 oldest church, built in 1825. There is supposedly an art and culture exhibit inside, but it鈥檚 difficult to say for sure, as the doors are usually locked tight.
Check at the house next door to the church for opening hours; if you can't go in, at least check out the massive yellow iguana statue in the park.
17.88 MILES
At the head of the Golfo de Nicoya, the 198 sq km Parque Nacional Palo Verde is a wetland sanctuary in Costa Rica鈥檚 driest province. The park鈥檚 shallow,鈥
29.37 MILES
With the addition of Parque Nacional Guanacaste (345 sq km) in 1989, the Area de Conservaci贸n Guanacaste became part of a protected nature corridor鈥
12.86 MILES
If you're pressed for time and in search of a quick, easy waterfall visit, Llanos de Cort茅s will do nicely. From the entrance, which is now guarded, you鈥
21.27 MILES
Santa Rosa is the southern sector of the 脕rea de Conservaci贸n Guanacaste. Some 30km of hiking trails weave through this tropical dry forest, offering鈥
Parque Nacional Rinc贸n de la Vieja
8.88 MILES
Given its proximity to Liberia, this park (about 160 sq km) feels surprisingly uncrowded and remote. Named after the steamy main attraction 鈥 the active鈥
24.38 MILES
This wild-animal shelter was started in the 1960s by the late Lilly Hagnauer, a Swiss environmentalist. It鈥檚 one of the largest shelters of its kind in鈥
18.54 MILES
La Casona is the main edifice of the old Hacienda Santa Rosa. The battle of 1856 was fought around this building. There are wonderful displays detailing 鈥
27.22 MILES
An unexpected architectural landmark in this otherwise innocuous town, this Catholic church was designed by famed local painter Otto Apuy. The church (and鈥
1. Iglesia Inmaculada Concepci贸n de Mar铆a
0.31 MILES
There鈥檚 not much to see here, but the big white church is a useful landmark. It's opposite Parque Central.
0.32 MILES
This old municipal building is little more than a landmark in the center of town, but it occasionally hosts interesting exhibitions or live music鈥
0.36 MILES
The somewhat shady but not particularly picturesque Parque Central frames Iglesia Inmaculada Concepci贸n de Mar铆a. The park is also the seasonal hangout of鈥
0.42 MILES
The wheels of development grind slowly here in Liberia. The intention is that this historic building will no longer be just the former city jail or鈥
0.64 MILES
Near the entrance of town, this statue of a steely-eyed sabanero (cowboy), complete with an evocative poem by Rodolfo Salazar Sol贸rzano, stands watch over鈥
5.58 MILES
Wildebeests, zebras, giraffes and other African animals are right at home in the dry Guanacaste heat, as you can see at this private wildlife reserve. The鈥
7. Reserva Biol贸gica Lomas de Barbudal
8.76 MILES
Forming a cohesive unit with Palo Verde, the 26 sq m Lomas de Barbudal is an option for more off-the-beaten-track independent hiking. You can explore the鈥
8. Parque Nacional Rinc贸n de la Vieja
8.88 MILES
Given its proximity to Liberia, this park (about 160 sq km) feels surprisingly uncrowded and remote. Named after the steamy main attraction 鈥 the active鈥