Santa Rosa National Park

Walking trails are available as well as research center where the visitor will find out the importance of the tropical dry forest. At the same park, tourist will find La Casona, an old ranch house that dates from the past century.Today La Casona has been transformed into museum where the traveler will be acknowledge with the rich history of Up Guanacaste.

Santa Rosa is also a important nesting site for the  turtles, a specie in danger of extinction.

The landscape of this area of Guanacaste Park consists of hill are relicts of plio-quaternary volcanoes and plains that have been formed by the accumulation of their products, such as ash, pyroclasts and ignimbrite.

The hacienda Santa Rosa (part of conservation area of Guanacaste) and its a dream-like colonial past are converting this corner Costa Rica into a site of historical and cultural interest or National and foreigner visitors alike. The hacienda's biggest attraction. La Casona is especially interesting for two reasons: this ranch house is the vestige of an authentic productive homestead from the colonial period, and it is here that the Battle of March 20, 1856, took place. Considered a pivotal encounter in the national campaign, the skirmish lasted fifteen minutes- ending when the pro-slavery invaders, called filibusteros, fled from Costa Rican and Central American troops.

Now part of distant past, this event continues to be a treasured piece of the country's history, and is celebrated as an heroic example of patriotism, a flight for liberty and democracy as a sovereign nation.

The allure of La Casona Santa Rosa is, however, not only historical and cultural, but architectural as well. Rebuilt in 1985, the period construction has a stone foundation. It is made principally of abide, although wood was also employed in the construction. Various rooms previously used as stables, stand separate from main building. Well conserved stone corrals attract further attention.

Outside, there are the stables and storehouse, which make up the posterior facade of the building; the rebuilt corrals containing framing utensils from the era; and a small chapel, where religious services were held.

Pleasant, open-air corridors along the exterior of la Casona allow one to enjoy the panoramic view and vegetation of the tropical dry forest, typical of this region.

On the interior of the house is something of even greater interest: a museum centered around the history of the country's battles, especially that Santa Rosa. In an area of 550 square meters (658 square yards). The permanent exhibit features a series of photographs and documents alluding to the events that came to pass on this site 1398 year ago. The museum also houses a number of arms from the period, including a collection of antique rifles purchased with a loan from the French government.

A clay oven and shelves with large earthen jars used to stores grains stands in the kitchen of La Casona; and yaguales, or suspends grills formerly employed in the smoking of food, indicate a method of conserving provisions during the era.

In the hallway hang portraits of many individuals who were present for the historic battle. These figures vigil the history and nostalgic atmosphere of La Casona.

Ultimately, this cultural cranny has many physical characteristic and exhibits representative of the colonial period in Costa Rican history. For those wishing to visit La Casona of the Santa Rosa Hacienda, it is open every day from eight in the morning until half past four in the afternoon.