Guanacaste is known for its white-sand coast and is often regarded as one of Costa Rica's most beautiful area.  Visitors to the region can take surf lessons and enjoy an active nightlife at the regional hub of Tamarindo; embark on an arduous volcano hike and explore refreshing waterfalls at Rincon de la Vieja National Park; or enjoy a day of relaxation and reading on the glamorous Playa Conchal. These activities are among many fantastic options in the Guanacaste area.

Guanacaste Province contains diverse geographical features. Separating the sandy coastal land from mountainous terrain along Guanacaste's border, the Tempisque River flows from north to south and bisects the Province. In the Guanacaste Mountains to the east, a range of jagged peaks and volcanoes span 70 miles (113 km) northwest to southeast. These mountains house a collection of national parks: Parque Nacional Rincon de la Vieja, Parque Nacional Guanacaste, and Parque Nacional Volcano Tenorio. The Tilaran Mountains enclose Guanacaste along the southeast. Beginning at the south end of Lake Arenal, the Tilaran Mountains extend toward the Pacific coast, leaving only a small bottleneck of coastal lowland. At this bottleneck, the Inter-American Highway runs north of Puntarenas and into Guanacaste. It provides seamless travel to most of Guanacaste's attractions. Side roads from the Inter-American explore the tropical forest as it ascends into surrounding highlands. The forest gives refuge to exotic flora and fauna including an abundance of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and toucans.