Experience the best of Filadelfia

Filadelfia is the seat of Carrillo canton in the province of Guanacaste, in the dry north-west of Costa Rica, on a broad plain west of the Tempisque River. Guanacaste takes its name from the guanacaste tree, the national tree, and it is Costa Rica's cowboy country, with cattle ranches, open savanna and a folk tradition of its own, including the punto guanacasteco dance.

The Tempisque River basin is a lowland of wetlands and dry forest rich in birds, with Palo Verde National Park on the far side of the river. The Pacific beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula lie to the west, and the volcano Rincón de la Vieja rises to the north, so the town makes a base between the coast and the highlands.

Guanacaste cooking leans on corn, with tortillas patted by hand, rosquillas, small corn rings, and cheese. Rice and beans fill every plate. From December to April the plains are hot and brown, and the rains of the green season turn them vivid.