Abangares

Abangares is a small mountainous canton in eastern Guanacaste, known for its gold mining history and cooler highland climate. The main town of Las Juntas was once a gold rush destination, and old mining tunnels and a mining museum preserve that heritage.

By Plane

Daniel Oduber International (LIR) in Liberia, about 70 km northwest (1.5 hours).

By Train

Costa Rica has no passenger rail service to this area.

By Car / Road

Accessed via secondary roads from the Interamericana. About 180 km from San José (3.5 hours) or 70 km from Liberia.

Car essential for exploring the area. Roads can be rough, especially in rainy season.

• Abangares Mining Museum — Historic gold mining exhibits

• Old mine tunnels — Remnants of the gold rush era

• Highland forests — Cooler climate with cloud forest vegetation

• Tour the mining museum and tunnels

• Hiking in highland forests

• Visit rural fincas (farms)

Simple local sodas with traditional Costa Rican food.

Beer at local bars.

• Budget: Local cabinas US$20-35/night
• Mid-range: Rural eco-lodges US$50-80/night

Very limited. Basic supplies in Las Juntas.

• Tilarán — 40 km east, Lake Arenal
• Liberia — 70 km northwest
• Cañas — 50 km south