Hojancha, Guanacaste

View of forest from Hojancha Guanacaste

On September 5, 2012, a 7.6 earthquake struck Costa Rica. Preliminary reports as big as 7.9 but it has been reduced to 7.6. Also some reports are saying the epicenter was just 10km NE of Hojancha. Most reports are saying 20km off the coast of Samara. You can see photos as well as more information about the 7.6 Earthquake that struck Costa Rica on Sept 5, 2012 on our blog.

One of the 11 cantons of the province of Guanacaste, Hojancha is a small place that did not even have electricity until 1972. The major city in the canton is also Hojancha, which means "wide leaf" and was named after a tree with large leaves that can be found throughout the area.

Eco-Blue Flag Reward

The canton of Hojancha was awarded the Eco-Blue Flag as a result of its cleanliness and it is the only canton in Guanacaste to have received the honor.

The city of Hojancha was initially inhabited by the Chorotega Indigenous tribe, who occupied the Nicoya Peninsula during the pre-Columbian era. The tribe's reach extended all the way to the Lake of Nicaragua during the time period.

The city itself is the 1st district in the canton and boasts a total area of 79.61 square kilometers as well as an estimated population of 5431 as of 2010. The capital city of the canton, Hojancha sits at an average altitude of 350 meters above sea level.

Located just over 300 kilometers from Costa Rica's capital city of San Jose, Hojancha's most important agricultural resources include rice, corn, beans, honey and fruit. The area is well-drained by the various nearby rivers including the Oro, Nosara and Blanco, and the average temperature of the city is approximately 26 or 27 degrees Celsius.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Nearby Places of Interest

Visitors to the city of Hojancha should make a trip to nearby Playa Carrillo a top priority. This U-shaped beach boasts white sand and a number of palm trees, in addition to a strip of grass that provides some breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean.

In addition to Playa Carrillo, travelers heading to the city of Hojancha can also check out the Chorotega Indian Reserve of Matambu, which is also located nearby in the canton.

The city of Hojancha is an extremely clean, well-organized and safe spot, with most local residents leaving their doors unlocked. Because of this, visitors can feel comfortable knowing that they are in one of the safest parts of the entire country.

While the majority of the residents living in the city were born in Hojancha, a number of people have migrated to the area in the last 20 years, particularly from San Ramon, Grecia and Palmares.