Guanacaste Province, Costa Rica. Travel and Tourism Information. As one of the most popular provinces in Costa Rica, Guanacaste has gained a name for itself as a tropical paradise with a pristine shoreline, beautiful mountain ranges and a number of volcanoes. Visitors are drawn to the long summer days, active culture and unparalleled wildlife. Located in the far northwest corner of Costa Rica, Guanacaste's geographical features are diverse and exotic. With endless options for recreation, there are countless reasons why locals and international visitors alike travel to Guanacaste. Guanacaste's unique cultural notes are an after-effect of once being part of Nicaragua. The indigenous Corotega dominated the region during pre-Columbian times, and some locals today even resemble the people of this tribe. Although Costa Rica managed to get the province back from Nicaragua, the region still boasts a slightly different personality than the rest of the country, making it a great place to visit for new and seasoned Costa Rica travelers alike. As Guanacaste's capital city, Liberia is the province's regional economic and urban center. Once a small cowboy town, this city has maintained its native Tico atmosphere while providing plenty of accommodations for travelers. Liberia is known as the "White City" because of the whitewashed walls and colonial architecture seen throughout the city. Travelers with a penchant for the Wild West vibe will enjoy visiting the many ranches in the outskirts of the city or catching one of the in-town rodeos.