Getting around by rental car is the best option. If you decide to rent, be sure to rent a 4x4. The main highway to Guanacaste is paved, but most are dirt roads and may not be well maintained. During the rainy season, May through November, the drive can be especially difficult. Renting a car in Costa Rica gives you a chance to enjoy all the sights of the Guanacaste. Some of the advantages are obvious – go where you want, when you want. Make your own agenda and have more freedom.

Officially licensed taxis are colored red or orange; if a taxi is any other color or lacks the inverted yellow triangle on the doors, it’s a `pirate taxi` operating illegally. When boarding the taxi ask the taxi driver `Puede poner la maria, por favor?` (Could you please turn the meter on?), otherwise, you will pay a higher price. For a taxi, call Penas Blancas Shuttle Service (tel. 506-8313-1419), Costa Rica Airport Shuttle (tel. 506- 8313-1419), or Riu Palace Guanacaste Shuttle (506- 8313-1419).

Liberia is a great place to get around by foot. The town of Liberia is approximately 14 blocks long and 6 blocks wide. Restaurants, shops and internet cafes line the Central Avenue. There is a Catholic church and a central park (Parque Mario Canas Ruiz) in the center of town with shaded benches and is bustling with activity. To reach the Guanacaste beaches you will need a rental car, taxi or public transportation.

For those looking for some scenic exercise, several bike and adventure shops offer daily rentals. Mountain bikes generally rent for about $20 a day and beach cruisers - about $10 a day. There are several bike shops to choose from: Pura Vida Ride (tele 506-2654-6137), Tamarindo Bike Shop, (tele 506-2653-2136), and Guanabikers (506-8817-2971). Note: The main roads of Guanacaste can be crowded with lots of traffic - cyclists should use caution.

A well-established company to travel around Guanacaste is Transportes La Pampa. They go from Liberia to Tamarindo and also go as far as Playa Flamingo and Brasilito, and they charge approximately $9.25 per person depending on where you go. Another reputable option is Transportes Alfaro. They depart from Tamarindo at 11:30 am (check the schedule for any changes). Buses may be crowded and make frequent stops. A trip from Liberia to the southernmost part of Guanacaste takes approximately 14 hours.