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Once a separate province of Spain's Central American Empire, Guanacaste has historically played a significant role in the economic and cultural life of Costa Rica. In fact, many traditions considered typical to Costa Rica originated in this province. The folklore and dances from the region are valued as part of the national patrimony, and for that reason the University of Costa Rica has a special branch of its music department located there. “Guanacastecos” descend from the Chorotega Indians, and these original residents still maintain more cultural and historical links to their past than many other Costa Rican residents.
Comprised of a combination of lowland dry forest, vast windswept plains of golden waving grasses and tough flowering shrubs, impressive volcanic mountain ranges, cloud and rain forest, subterranean national parks and of course, miles of coast line, Guanacaste is a land of riches.
    
Nearly every ecosystem that exists can be found in this province. Even those areas altered by generations of cattle production contain the graceful beauty of the towering shade trees that give the province its name. Some very interesting new projects in the region include Santa Rosa National Park's study of how tropical dry forests regenerate. Local campesinos are being hired by the park system to serve as guides, research assistants and caretakers. Another program in Guanacaste National Park involves doing an inventory of biological diversity within the park, this also by campesino trainees. Apparently both programs have been highly successful due to the residents' familiarity with the region and their powers of observation. Palo Verde National Park itself was once a large and thriving cattle ranch. The Organization for Tropical Studies—or OTS—noted its importance as a bird refuge and it was granted national park status.
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