Costa Rica Vacations and Info

La Cruz in Costa Rica is the tenth canton of the Province of Guanacaste in Costa Rica and was founded in the year 1969. At present, approximately 70% of its economically active population works in activities related to animal husbandry, agriculture and fisheries. The development that has experienced in recent years is partly due to the opening of the Inter-American Highway and the boom of tourism. The limit southeast of this canton, is made up of the dividing line of the Cordillera de Guanacaste, where there are located the volcanoes Orosi, Rincon de La Viejaa and Miravalles, widely recognized tourist sites in Costa Rica. La Cruz has a supply of public and private services of all kinds, especially in the area of health and education so that tourists do not lack any kind of comfort.

This border canton of Guanacaste province is located on the shores of what is known as Mirador La Cruz, from where there are beautiful and stunning sunsets, with the sun hiding in the Pacific Ocean, under the breadth of the horizon, one of the finest spectacles of Costa Rica. This viewpoint along Santa Rosa National Park are two of the biggest attractions of the area, where the Casona de Santa Rosa, preserved since the mid-nineteenth century, is a monument to the history of Costa Rica where took places one of the biggest battles against William Walker, the leader of the filibusters that tried to conquer the Central American region. The beaches at La Cruz are wonderful as many other attractions in Costa Rica. The best known are: Cuajiniquil, Bahia Salinas, Playa Papaturro, Playa Nabos, Playa Jobo, Playa Rajada, Playa Copal, Puerto Solely Beach, Playa Pochote and Manzanillo. In this canton is located also the biological reserve Isla Bolaños, a major tourist site with lots of marine life. Between these beaches we should note the following:

Pochote beach: Is a beach for a tan-colored sand and crystal clear water with gentle waves. It is ideal for swimmers, for fishing, diving and other water sports, with caution by strong sea currents. For its part Puerto Solely Beach is a beach of white sand and deep blue water of more than 3 kilometers long, with moderate to strong waves, it shares the exotic charms of Bahia Salinas. It lies near the border with Nicaragua, and relatively close to the Santa Rosa National Park. Playa Papaturro has an area of 2 km in length between Punta Morro and Punta Copal. Presents strong tides and waves, its sands are brown clear and the slope is moderate. For its location, is excellent for the practice of kitesurfing, but please keep in mind that there are rocks and shells in some areas. Playa Rajada is a beach virgin, unknown to most people of Costa Rica with a great wealth of flora and fauna, land and sea. Its natural beauty complements its beautiful mangrove and estuary. It is a clear sand beach, gentle slope and low waves, with a length of 600 meters. Is a site designed to: sun, sand, sea, sports fishing, scuba diving and camping. At the front of the beach, is an island of great beauty.

The development of tourism with the rest of this Costa Rica region has helped generously to the population of La Cruz, as many are working in occupations related to tourism and others have turned their homes into small hotels and restaurants. The arrival of tourists (domestic and foreign) to the beaches of this region in Costa Ricahas been growing steadily, generating demand for luxury hotels and houses that have been developed across the coastal zone. This has caused a significant increase in the prices of real estate but this tendency has lowered by the current world economic crisis.

Junquillal is a recreational area that includes a wide white beach of great scenic beauty, very gentle waves of waters that are very transparent and slightly cooler than the rest of the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. In this beach spawn a lot of sea turtles and very close to the place were discovered the remains of a pre-Columbian settlement of a village farmer of hunters and collectors of marine products.

Junquillal is located 46 kilometers north of the city of Liberia; you can arrive by taking the Interamericana road until the civil guard post. From there are still ten kilometers to the community of Cuajiniquil and from that community you have to continue 4 kilometers north until you get to the beach.

Junquillal beach near La Cruz in Costa Rica north pacific

The dry forest extends to the edge of the beach; there are small areas of mangrove. The Frigate bird (Fregata magnificens) and brown pelicans (Pelecanos occidentalis), which are abundant there nest on the islands and islets located off the coast, such as islands of Los Muñecos and Juanilla. During the months of December to February, it is possible to see humpback whales (Megaptera novaeangliae), reaching up to 15 meters long, swimming at a short distance from the beach, and has also reported the presence of the harmless and giant whale sharks (Rhincodon typus).

Junquillal beach is located at 30 kilometers west of Santa Cruz and 20 kilometers south of Tamarindo. Junquillal Beach is located near the village of the same name and is the perfect escape if you want to avoid monotony and bustle of other beaches. This beach is ideal if you want to make a quiet walk alone or with your couple because their sunsets are truly spectacular. It is not the best beach to swim because its waters are dangerous, but Junquillal Beach has some nice points for surfing and an estuary in the area. For those who prefer more action there are other activities such as horseback riding, fishing and snorkeling in the open sea.

You can make a trip to the nearby Playa Negra and Playa Avellanes. In these places there are excellent opportunities for surfing or visit the National Marine Park Las Baulas of Guanacaste, a national park which is just north of Tamarindo.
The administration of this place is located 5 kilometers north of Cuajinquil, in this community there is a market. Beside the administration is the camping area with tables, toilets and drinking water. There is a service of buses Liberia – Cuajiniquil in case that you need it.

Those people that are looking for a place to reduce its speed and live more easily will find what are they looking at Playa Junquillal. A pleasant climate, a way to live without tension, and excellent hosts to welcome you are an irresistible combination that makes Junquillal an ideal refuge. Having few restaurants, two shops, a school for 20 children is part of the attraction that makes Junquillal a village full of charm. Do not go hoping to go to the disco, rent watercrafts or looking for some kind of noisy.