Liberia
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 safari tour allows you to get up close and personal with the (sort of) wild animals. Kayaking, ziplining and horseback riding are also on offer.
The park is in El Salto, about 11km south of town on the Interamericana, halfway to Bagaces.
12.3 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
8.16 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
Parque Nacional Barra Honda Caverns
27.8 MILES
This 23 sq km national park protects a system of 42 caverns. The only cave with regular public access is the 41m-deep La Terciopelo, which features鈥
26.65 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
12.59 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
19.97 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
23.96 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
22.75 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. Reserva Biol贸gica Lomas de Barbudal
3.18 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
5.58 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
5.58 MILES
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'鈥
5.6 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
5.61 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
6. Iglesia Inmaculada Concepci贸n de Mar铆a
5.61 MILES
There鈥檚 not much to see here, but the big white church is a useful landmark. It's opposite Parque Central.
5.67 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
8.16 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