Picture 10,000 years ago: bands of nomads roam what is now Guanacaste, cultivating corn, crafting pottery, and building intricate societies, such as the Chorotega, on the Nicoya Peninsula. These early residents built a vibrant culture—characterized by pottery with human faces, sacred jade items, and ingenious irrigation systems—that has left a legacy still visible today.
Fast forward to 1522–23, when Spanish explorers, such as Gil González Dávila, trekked through the area, baptizing locals, gathering gold, and claiming land in the name of Spain. By 1554, Spain had established Nicoya as an administrative center, opening ranches and shaping the local economy, characterized by cattle ranches and leather goods, rather than coffee plantations.
A Vote That Shaped a Nation
Guanacaste’s most dramatic chapter came in the early 1820s. After Central American countries broke from Spain in 1821, the people of Nicoya and Santa Cruz gathered in a public meeting. Nicoya held its vote on July 25, 1824. It passed overwhelmingly: join Costa Rica. Santa Cruz followed, and even Liberia (then called Guanacaste) officially joined by law in 1826.
That decision wasn’t just symbolic—it shaped Costa Rica’s identity. Traditions, music, food styles, cattle-raising—they all became more colorful and diverse thanks to Guanacaste’s addition.
Battles, Boundaries, and Building
The region didn’t just vote—it defended its place. In 1836, Nicaraguan forces tried to invade but were repelled. The following year, 1837, Guanacaste was officially made a separate province.
Guanacaste gained lasting pride when its fighters helped win the Battle of Santa Rosa on March 20, 1856, defeating the US-backed filibuster William Walker in a lightning-fast 14-minute action. That same era saw Liberia renamed in 1854, and the province called Moracia until it reverted to Guanacaste in 1860.
Growing Roots: Roads, Airports, Energy, Learning
The 20th century saw transformation:
-
In 1915, a new decree moved southern Nicoya towns into Puntarenas province—locals still talk about possibly reversing that.
-
The Inter-American Highway reached Guanacaste in the 1950s–60s, opening the region to commerce and travel.
-
The Daniel Oduber International Airport launched in 1995, boosting tourism by connecting directly with global flights.
-
Guanacaste became an energy center: geothermal (Miravalles, 1994), wind (Tilarán, 1996), solar (Bagaces, 2012).
-
Education expanded, too: the University of Costa Rica set up in Liberia in 1973, and state universities spread to Santa Cruz, Nicoya, Cañas, La Cruz, Tilarán—and private schools followed.
Now, Guanacaste drives about 40% of Costa Rica’s renewable energy—pretty impressive for a region once known only for cattle.
Culture, Carnivals, and Why You’ll Want to Stay
What’s life like here? It’s full of good food and good fun:
-
Say hello to tortillas, tamales, gallo pinto, rosquillas, and more—food born from Chorotega, Spanish, and African traditions.
-
Hear the quijongo and marimba playing at festivals like Santa Cruz in January and Nicoya’s ox-cart parades (pica’e leña).
-
Explore the more than 200 miles of coastline, volcanoes, wildlife, and parks.
University classrooms, tech hubs, hospitals, energy plants, highways, and an international airport—all in less than a century.
Why Move to Guanacaste?
Guanacaste is more than a tourist spot—it’s a place where history, culture, and modern life mix. You can join a community that praised democracy in 1824, that beat back invaders in 1836 and 1856, and that’s building renewable energy for the future. Live here and you’re part of a story stretching from thousands of years ago to tomorrow’s renewable-powered classrooms.
Curious? Imagine starting your day with a quijongo melody, heading to the beach in warm sun, and finishing with sustainable energy powering your home. You’re not just visiting—you’re becoming part of a culture older than most nations and as modern as tomorrow’s grid.
Source: monteverdetours.com
Header Image Source: César Badilla Miranda on Unsplash
