The Grand Escape
Destinations · Head-to-head

Bora Bora vs Guanacaste

Bora Bora and Guanacaste, side by side: live travel advisories, our resort catalog's real guest data, and each destination's honest weather picture — everything you need to break the tie.

Bora Bora guide · Guanacaste guide · How we score

By the numbers

Bora BoraGuanacaste
U.S. travel advisoryLevel 1: Exercise Normal PrecautionsLevel 2: Exercise Increased Caution
Resorts in our catalog25
Average guest rating★ 4.7★ 4.4
Nightly rates$800+$800+
Adults-only resorts0 of 21 of 5
Hurricane exposureLow hurricane riskLow hurricane risk
Rainy seasonNovember–AprilMay–November ('green season'), seriously wet September–October
Sweet spotMay–October (dry season — and peak villa pricing)December–April, bone-dry
Best forHoneymoons, once-in-a-lifetime lagoon tripsNature + beach in one trip; reliable winter sun

Advisory levels sync from travel.state.gov; catalog figures reflect the resorts we've researched, not every hotel in the country.

Weather, month by month

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Bora Bora — high °F898989898786868686878888
Guanacaste — high °F919293939188888887868789
Bora Bora — rain (in)13.29.66.75.54.02.92.11.92.13.58.312.5
Guanacaste — rain (in)0.10.10.20.77.79.05.97.913.012.24.30.5

Approximate climate normals for Bora Bora lagoon and Papagayo / Guanacaste — planning guidance, not a forecast.

Where you'd actually stay

Best of Bora Bora

  1. 1.Four Seasons Bora Bora — Bora Bora, French Polynesia · ★ 4.7
  2. 2.Conrad Bora Bora Nui — Bora Bora, French Polynesia · ★ 4.6

Chains here: Four Seasons · Conrad

Full Bora Bora guide

Best of Guanacaste

  1. 1.The Westin Reserva Conchal, an All-Inclusive Golf Resort & Spa — · ★ 4.5
  2. 2.Planet Hollywood Costa Rica by Royalton, An Autograph Collection All-Inclusive Resort — · ★ 4.4
  3. 3.Secrets Papagayo Costa Rica — · ★ 4.4

Chains here: Westin · Planet Hollywood Hotels & Resorts · Secrets Resorts & Spas

Full Guanacaste guide

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