Notes from Guanacaste

Honest answers to the questions our guests actually ask — seasons, beaches, traveling with kids, and how to do this coast right.

Travel News

United → Guanacaste, direct

United Airlines is flying direct from D.C. to Guanacaste this December

A new nonstop route between Washington Dulles and Liberia (LIR) starts December 17, 2026 — the first direct D.C. connection to this stretch of the Pacific coast.

Beach Guide

Hermosa or Coco?

Playa Hermosa vs. Playas del Coco: which beach is your speed?

Two beaches minutes apart, two completely different moods. Your hosts at Cacique Retreat compare Playas del Coco and Playa Hermosa — and explain why you shouldn't choose.

Seasons

Green season, explained

Guanacaste in green season: Costa Rica's best-kept secret

Rainy season doesn't mean a ruined trip — in Costa Rica's driest province, it means green hills, warm ocean, thin crowds, and better value. Here's the honest picture.

Family Travel

Traveling with a toddler

Costa Rica with a toddler: what actually matters in the house you book

A fenced yard, a shallow pool ledge, a crib you don't have to fly with — hosts of a family-favorite Playas del Coco home on what really makes a trip with little kids easy.

Getting Here

30 minutes from LIR

30 minutes from LIR: the easiest soft landing in Costa Rica

Fly into Liberia, drive 30 easy minutes, unpack once. Why Guanacaste's own airport makes Playas del Coco the lowest-stress start to a Costa Rica trip.

Make Cacique Retreat your base

Check dates and book securely through Airbnb — instant confirmation, guest protection, and all 30+ reviews in one place.

See availability on Airbnb

Questions first? Message us on Airbnb or DM @caciqueretreat on Instagram.