As mentioned in a previous edition of The Daily, the third edition of Guanacaste Nights is now official, and we are counting the days until we get to experience this celebration together.
Taking place from July 24 through July 26, Guanacaste Nights is a three day cultural and culinary event dedicated to honoring the flavors, traditions, music, and regional identity of Guanacaste. Rooted in local ingredients and inspired by the stories that have shaped this part of Costa Rica, the event brings together residents, visitors, locals, and guests through food, community, and a deep sense of place.
With this year’s itinerary now set, we are sharing a closer look at what guests can expect during this three-day cultural weekend.
The experience begins on Friday, July 24, with a Sunset Dinner at Sentido Norte, located at Casa Chameleon. This five course dinner will take place from 4:30pm to 9:30pm and is priced at $160 per person. Designed as an elegant fine dining experience as the sun sets into the Pacific, the evening will explore ancestral flavors through a fresh and reimagined perspective. It will be an intimate opening to the weekend, one that invites guests to slow down, sit around the table, and experience Guanacaste through a thoughtful culinary lens.
On Saturday, July 25, the celebration continues in Las Catalinas Town with the Street Food Fair and Live Music from 4:30pm to 9pm. This evening will bring the festive spirit of Guanacaste into Town with street food, cold drinks, marimba, a DJ, traditional folk dances, and a cimarrona, creating a joyful gathering for residents, visitors, families, and friends. The date also makes the celebration especially meaningful, as July 25 marks the Anexión de Nicoya, a national holiday that honors the moment when the Nicoya region joined Costa Rica. For Guanacaste, this is a day of identity and pride, and for us, it is a beautiful opportunity to celebrate the traditions, music, food, and shared history that make this region feel so alive.
The weekend closes on Sunday, July 26, with a Farewell Market in Las Catalinas Town from 10am to 4pm. Entrance to the market will be free, offering a warm and unhurried way to end the celebration. Guests will be able to discover local producers, enjoy the final flavors of the weekend, and take a piece of Guanacaste home with them.
For those who want to enjoy the full experience, a three day package is available for $235 per person, with taxes included.
The timing of Guanacaste Nights also carries special meaning, as July 25 marks the Anexión de Nicoya, a national holiday that celebrates the historic annexation of the Nicoya region to Costa Rica. Because of this, the weekend becomes more than a culinary event. It is a way to recognize a date closely connected to Guanacaste’s identity, while gathering around the traditions, ingredients, music, and people that continue to shape the region.
Whether you join for the sunset dinner, the street food fair, the farewell market, or the full three day experience, Guanacaste Nights is an invitation to celebrate this region with all the senses. Come hungry, come curious, and come ready to share in a weekend that honors Guanacaste through its flavors, its rhythm, and its unmistakable sense of place.