Page 7 - NORTHERN GUANACASTE TOURIST GUIDE

Introduction
Complementing its music, traditional Guanacaste dances have been preserved through time and are the most faithful representation of the social and cultural life of the province of Guanacaste. These dances are heavily influenced by the Andalusian zapateado. Noteworthy examples include El Punto Guanacasteco, Los Amores de Laco, La Cajeta, La Flor de Caña, El Torito, El Zapateado, El Pavo and La Botijuela, among others.
The region is also credited with birth of the cheerful “bombas” or “retahílas”, improvised poems that enliven the festivities in most Costa Rican towns. They are told to liven up parties and make people laugh. Bombas are rhyming couplets that are frequently a little over the top; they always begin with the word “Bomba” and end with the expression “Uyuyuy Bajura”.
In almost every town in Guanacaste, there are buildings called a redondel or plaza de toros (bull ring) where rodeo shows have competitors vie to stay as long as possible on the bull’s back. It is practiced by men, youths and sometimes even children.
Costa Rica and, especially, the province of Guanacaste, welcomes visitors with open arms and make it easy for visitors to interact with its people, customs and traditions. Visitors are invited to participate in its many festivities and share the joy with the tico people.
History
One standout attraction is the Casona de Santa Rosa, a historic museum that commemorates our country’s defining deed of heroism, on March 20, 1856.
Architecture
The region has a diversity of heritage buildings, chief among them the Casona de Santa Rosa and the White City of Liberia. The city’s historic center earned the name because of the white gravel used in construction.
Cuisine
The traditional towns of the region can be discovered in their sodas, small family restaurants or cafés where you can taste the cuisine of Guanacaste. The communities of Bagaces, Cañas, Carrillo, La Cruz and Liberia are all known for their traditional food and beverages.
Corn is one of the most important products in Guanacaste, with many traditional foods and beverages made from the grain. Guanacaste tortillas,
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