Area de Conservación Guanacaste World Heritage Site

Welcome to the Area de Conservación Guanacaste, an extraordinary World Heritage site located in northwestern Costa Rica. The magnificent landscape before you represents one of the most remarkable biological continua on Earth,…

Central America contains the most complete and perfectly preserved tropical dry forest ecosystem right here in the heart of Santa Rosa National Park. Now take a moment to look closely at the dense dry forest canopy, the winding…

Standing at an impressive elevation of one thousand nine hundred sixteen meters above sea level, the majestic summit of Rincón de la Vieja Volcano gives birth to more than thirty-two rivers and sixteen intermittent streams that…

This region forms the only unbroken altitudinal transect surviving in the Neotropics, seamlessly connecting Pacific coastal dry forests across mountain crests down to Caribbean lowland rainforests. Look to your left and admire…

Major nutrient-rich cold upwelling currents rise from the deep Pacific ocean off the Santa Elena peninsula, creating one of the most biologically productive marine environments in the entire eastern Pacific. Turn your gaze toward…

Tranquil coastal waters and sheltered mangrove forests converge here in Junquillal Bay Wildlife Refuge to form a vital sanctuary for rare birds, nesting sea turtles, and juvenile marine life. Look out across the peaceful bay…

As our guided tour comes to a thoughtful close, we reflect upon the magnificent interconnected sanctuary of the Area de Conservación Guanacaste. From the nutrient-rich cold upwelling ocean currents off the Santa Elena peninsula…