How to Plan Romantic Costa Rica Trip in Guanacaste
Whether planning a Costa Rica honeymoon or simply looking to spend a small romantic getaway there, you will not be disappointed! There is a lot to do there, from the wild adventures in the Arenal to tropical beach life in Guanacaste. This post will share how to plan the most romantic Costa Rica getaway in Guanacaste Province. I highly recommend combining your Guanacaste trip with a few days in Arenal.
Table of contents
- A Few Things To Know About Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Stay in a Romantic Hotel in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Book Romantic Hidden Beach tour in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- Explore Gulf of Papagayo
- Head Over Playa Hermosa
- Explore Playa Del Coco
- Indulge in a Couples Massage
- Shop These Cute accessories for your next beach destination
A Few Things To Know About Guanacaste, Costa Rica
- It is one of the most popular provinces of Costa Rica.
- Liberia International Airport is the closest airport.
- It is mostly known for the coastal life and beautiful beaches.
- The weather is mostly sunny, hot, and dry.
- The driest season is during the spring months and the rainy season falls during the fall.
- The dry season attracts more tourists and it is more expensive. However, if you choose to save and visit during the rainy season, you can still expect a lot of sunshine given the dry climate in the area.
- It is home to the most luxurious resorts in the country, located in the Papagayo Peninsula.
- Due to the extremely dry and hot climate, there is not much greenery and wildlife around. Expect dry forest views and clear skies.
- In terms of natural disasters, Guanacaste is ranked as a safe destination to visit overall.
- Be aware that If you do not take care of your belongings, they will most likely be stolen.
- Guanacaste is perfect for 3-5 days of getaway. If you are interested to dive into more culture, wild adventures, hot springs, or waterfalls, I recommend visiting other areas in Costa Rica such as Arenal or Monteverde.
Here is my list of top things to do for couples in Guanacaste to make the most of your romantic Costa Rica trip.
Stay in a Romantic Hotel in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
When you get there, there are plenty of choices, and it all depends on your budget. If you are looking for Costa Rica honeymoon resorts or simply a more couples-friendly space, stay in the adults-only resorts in Guanacaste. If you plan to spend around 3-4 nights, I recommend indulging in privacy. Here are some of the options to choose from. Villa Buena Onda, Casa Chameleon, Las Catalinas, Secrets Papagayo.
Our Stay At The Villa Buena Onda Resort
When choosing the most romantic adults-only hotels in Costa Rica, Villa Buena Onda is one the best. This is an all-inclusive resort in the province of Playa Del Coco. Having only seven guest suits already speaks how private and romantic this hotel is. We spent half of our honeymoon here. Therefore, I can tell from my experience that it was worth every penny. Below you can read the top highlights of staying in this hotel.

Hotel Highlights
Location. Even if you are focused on a romantic Costa Rica retreat inside the resort, choosing a convenient location is always a win-win when visiting a touristy place. This resort is only 30 minutes away from the Liberia Airport. Villa is not located on the beach but the hill of Coco beach town. However, the resort offers a complimentary shuttle to all nearby beaches in Guanacaste. It only takes 7 minutes to get to Playa Del Coco, 13 minutes to Playa Hermosa, and 15 minutes to Playa Ocotal.

Adults Only: Whether you are traveling on your honeymoon or need a kid-free environment to unwind, this place will offer the most relaxing and rejuvenating experience. The hotel provides On-site outdoor dining, an Infiniti pool, ocean and forest views, outdoor yoga, and a spa. Adults only.

The food is fantastic. When you think of all-inclusive hotels, you may think of buffet-style meals available all day. It is a bit different at Villa Buena Onda. Here you are getting meals, A La Carte. Three times a day. Every dish we were served looked exquisite and tasted delicious.


The best part of meals at Villa Buena Onda is the setting. You will be sitting outside on the patio overlooking the infinity pool, dry forest, and the ocean. Since the food is served at the same time for every guest, you will have an opportunity to socialize with other couples. It was delightful to get to know others and learn about their traveling experiences.

Book Romantic Hidden Beach tour in Guanacaste, Costa Rica
When it comes to researching romantic places in Costa Rica, a tour of the private island should be at the top of your list. Romantic getaways scream for unforgettable memories, so make sure to plan something extraordinary in Guanacaste. Does private BBQ at the hidden beach sound exotic? You will not be disappointed.

This tour offers a half-day motorboat adventure to the private island along the Peninsula Papagayo. The team will take you on to cruise around the ocean before stopping at one of the hidden beaches. If you are lucky, you may even spot dolphins and whales on your way there.
We could not believe the whole beach was just for us when we arrived. The beach was beautiful turquoise water and light sand. Here you can paddle, test your fishing skill, snorkel, or relax at the beach as the crew is making your dinner.


After the most romantic lunch at the beach, we headed back to our villa and caught the stunning sunset while still in the ocean. Sunsets are always the most romantic parts of a Costa Rica trip. Hands down to the most exotic tour we have ever signed up for. Find out more about the deal here.


What to Bring on Your Romantic Beach Adventure
Here is what you will need to bring with you during this tour. Also, keep in mind that this list applies to every beach you visit in Guanacaste, Costa Rica.
- Swimwear
- Short and tank top
- Sunscreen
- Sunglasses
- Sunhat
- Towel
- Book (In case you want to relax under an umbrella)
- Camera
- Chapstick
- Mosquito repellent (They are found in most hot and dry spots in Guanacaste)
Explore Gulf of Papagayo
If you want to see the best part of the beaches in Guanacaste, explore the Gulf of Papagayo. This is a top-rated destination off Guanacaste Province. Famous beaches in the Gulf include Playa Hermosa (my favorite), Playa Del Coco (main beach town), Playa Ocotal, and Playa Panama. These beaches are conveniently located from Liberia Airport, so you should expect an average of 30 minutes of drive time to make it to these beaches.

If you want to take it to the most luxurious and most romantic spot in Guanacaste, Costa Rica, consider visiting Peninsula Papagaio. It is the most developed part of the Gulf of Papagayo. Here you will see the most luxurious resorts, such as Four Seasons, Andaz Costa Rica Resort, Kasiiya Papagayo Luxury Wilderness Retreat, and others.
Spend A Romantic Day at The Four Seasons Resort
Have you ever wondered what it is like to stay at one of the most luxurious resorts? I have and constantly dream of an opportunity to stay at the Four Seasons Resorts. While we are not planning to stay here overnight anytime soon, we plan to purchase a day pass next time we travel somewhere as romantic as Costa Rica.
Plan a romantic full day at the most stunning resort and enjoy their luxurious amenities and beautiful views overlooking beaches along the Gulf of Papagayo. I recommend checking with the resort itself about the pricing and availability! A day pass is a fantastic offer that we discovered not very long ago.
Head Over Playa Hermosa
If you want to have a romantic public beach experience after the most exotic day out on the hidden beach, I suggest heading to the Playa Hermosa. The name derives from Spanish, and it means “Beautiful beach.” Playa Hermosa was undoubtedly my favorite out of the three beaches we explored in Guanacaste (Hermosa, Coco, Ocotal). It is located only 13 minutes away from the Villa Buena Onda Resort. The sand here is softer and lighter compared to other beaches in Guanacaste.

You can find many food spots here, including Roberto’s Bar & Restaurant and Aqua Sports Bar. The latest also has lounge chairs to relax on the beach and the cutest swing hanging just in front of the bar overlooking the ocean.

Explore Playa Del Coco
Suppose you want to experience a more local ambiance in Guanacaste, head over to Playa Del Coco. P aya del Coco is one of the oldest beach communities in Guanacaste. You can expect both the high number of tourists and the place for the local hangout. Ths beach town is mainly known as a fishing village for locals. However, it has many tours and activities to offer the tourists so expect this place to be more crowded than other beaches nearby.

Things to do at Playa Del Coco
When you get to the Playa del Coco, head to the main street for souvenir shops. Take a walk on the beach, watch the sunset, kayak, fish, or take a sunset sailing tour. If you get bored (unlikely) with romantic, relaxing activities, Playa Del Coco offers the most nightlife in Guanacaste. If you are into hanging out in night bars and restaurants, this is the place where you can find them.
Indulge in a Couples Massage
Are you looking for more activity-free ways to relax during your costa Rica honeymoon or a romantic getaway? Consider getting a couples massage. In addition to lifting the spirits and decreasing stress, couples massage may increase feelings of affection, according to saratoga sports massage, and it is a great bonding experience. For the best results, I would recommend opting for the outdoor session with the sound of ocean waves. I had the pleasure to experience beachfront massage in Costa Rica, and it was so rejuvenating. Check out Secreto Spa at Playa Del Coco.
While this comment below your favorite activity from my list. I included some of the top romantic things to do in Guanacaste, Costa Rica; you can undoubtedly add more! Comment below have any other ideas, let me know!