Guanacaste is the Northwestern province of Costa Rica starting at the Nicaraguan border and following the Pacific Coast all the way down across two thirds of the Nicoya Peninsula. The east borders with the Province of Alajuela and the south with the Province of Puntarenas. Guanacaste did not always belong to Costa Rica. On July 24th in 1825 after the independence from Spain it was annexed, still celebrated every year with a National Holiday. With a population around 270,000 inhabitants it’s the least densely populated province of Costa Rica. From November till April Guanacaste has high temperatures and little rain, creating a dry heat that many tourists, most of them North Americans, come to enjoy. Guanacaste is the province of pristine beaches, green pastures, hills, rivers and tropical dry forests. Before the Spaniards came to Guanacaste in the 16th century, the area was populated by several indiginous tribes, making a living through agricultural activities and trading among each other. Some remains of this Pre-Colombian history can be found in the museums in San Jose. The names of the tribes are kept alive in geographical names, such as Nicoya, Abangares and Orotina. The name Guanacaste derives from the native word ‘quahnacaztlan’ meaning ‘place near the ear trees’. The Guanacaste tree, with its ear-shaped seeds, is the National Tree of Costa Rica. Some of Costa Rica’s finest, traditionally made pottery, with clear native influences is made in Guanacaste. Originating from a mixture of Spanish colonists, native Indians and African slaves, the people of Guanacaste form a special ethnic group inside Costa Rica. Festivities evolve around its agricultural past where bull fights and horse parades are very popular. On the eastern border with the Province of Alajuala the mountain ranges contain several volcanoes, with Rincon de la Vieja being the most famous one. Guanacaste is home of several National Parks; Santa Rosa, Guanacaste, Palo Verde, Barra Honda and the marine park Marino de Baulas de Guanacaste – Tamarindo. More than 125 miles of coastline provide optimal conditions for sunbathing, swimming, sailing, sportfishing, snorkeling and surfing. Numerous resorts have some of the best golf courses of Costa Rica. Popular beach destinations are: Playa Conchal, Playa Grande, Tamarindo, Paraiso, Nosara and Samara. The easiest way to reach the Province of Guanacaste is by air. Many tourists prefer the fast expanding International Airport of Liberia over Juan Santamaria International Airport in San José. Most of the popular beaches are connected with San Jose through local flights. By road the Pan-American highway is the main artery. From Puntarenas on the mainland ferries cross the Gulf of Nicoya to Playa Naranjo and Paqeura on the peninsula.