W COSTA RICA - RESERVA CONCHAL
Welcome to W Costa Rica, where we are bold by nature.
Featured Gay Friendly Hotels in Guanacaste
The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa
Located on gorgeous Playa Conchal Beach
Gay Guanacaste
With long hot summer days, beautiful beaches, and an interior that is paradise to an adventure traveler, Guanacaste in the northwestern region of Costa Rica has all the pieces of the puzzle to be a top-notch holiday destination. The eastern border of the region is lined with a chain of volcanoes, offering brilliant, intense hikes to the top as well as through dense forests full of endangered animals and exotic birds. This is the land of the cloud forests. After a few days deep in the bust, head to the beaches for brilliant western sunsets over the horizon, well-appointed accommodation, and a truly “escaped” atmosphere.
Photo Credit: Tom Podmore
What do you want to discover?
Top Things to See and Do in Guanacaste
MUST DO: Attractions & Activities
MUST VISIT: Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
Local Expert: Gay Scene in Guanacaste
Guanacaste has smaller cities in its region, so it doesn't have a large gay scene. However, that's ok! There are plenty of hotels in the area that are very welcoming to the LGBT community. Also, the city of San Juan is the largest city in Costa Rica and is only a 30 minutes drive away! A short car drive and you will be in the center of it all. Or if lounging around the hotel pool sounds more exciting, then that's also a fun option as well. Be sure to ask the concierge for information on where to go, they will make sure to guide you in the right direction.
Best Time to Visit Guanacaste
The best time to visit Guanacaste is during the drier months of December through April. The drier season will make sure your trip will be full of clear skies and fun days.
Photo Credit: Robin Canfield
Top Things to See and Do in Guanacaste
MUST DO Guanacaste Attractions & Activities
Guanacaste is known for its endless beaches, biodiversity, and golf courses. There are plenty of attractions and activities to do while visiting. It goes without saying that spending time at its many beaches is a great place to start. If you want to lay on the beach all day, Playa Blanca is known for its calm waters and laid-back attitude. For the more adventurous beachgoers, Playa Hermosa is where you want to be. People flock to this beach to participate in watersports and beach diving. Aside from beach activities, there is also the Santa Rosa National park which offers a diverse array of wildlife, lush greenery, waterfalls, and more.
Photo Credit: Sterlinglanier Lanier
MUST EAT Guanacaste Gay-Friendly Dining
Costa Rican food is known for using fresh fruits, vegetables, and herbs to create delicious dishes that are both delicious and filling. Many of the country's traditional dishes can be found in restaurants as well as grocery stores and even served by street vendors. Below, you will find some traditional foods that can be easily found while exploring Guanacaste.
Exotic fruit - Costa Rico offers some of the best fresh and exotic fruit that you can find. Zapote is a fruit that tastes like a cross between sweet potatoes and brown sugar. Another popular fruit is Rabuton, which is similar to lychee and has a sweet yet tart taste to it. There are also plenty of other fruits you can try while visiting. Why not visit a local grocery store and see what you can find?
Gallo Pinto - This dish translates to “Spotted Rooster”. It's made up of rice and beans that have been mixed together with bell peppers, onions, and cilantro. It's a popular breakfast dish and is beloved by the locals.
Casado - Considered the most traditional dish in Costa Rica, this dish translates to “Marred”. This makes sense as this dish is made up of different sides that have been joined together to make a dish. Traditionally this dish is made up of rice, beans, salad, fried plantain, and a protein of your choice. This dish can be found in restaurants and even in some supermarkets as well.
MUST VISIT Guanacaste Gay-Friendly Bars & Nightlife
As mentioned earlier, the gay nightlife scene is in the city of San Jose, which is only a quick car ride away. You can easily grab a taxi and head to the city and dance the night away. The nightlife scene there is large and vibrant. There you will be able to find bars, clubs, and a very social atmosphere. On some occasions, the bars get so busy that the festivities flood onto the streets.
Travel Safety Tips
Guanacaste is considered a very safe and fun place to visit. The people are friendly, welcoming, and energetic. Costa Rica is widely known for being of the safest places to visit in Latin America, along with being one of the first countries to be welcoming to the LGBT Community, going as far as to legalize gay marriage in 2018. While visiting, it's always a good idea to practice common sense travel tips. Use the hotel safe to lock up any valuables and personal belongings. Research the time of year you are going and pack accordingly. Finally, remember how to get back to your room. After a fun night out, you’ll need to know how to make it home!
The Gay Scene in Guanacaste
As this is an entire region of a country with very few major cities, there isn’t a major gay scene per se.
View the Gay Scene in Guanacaste
Related Blog Posts
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