Welcome to Costa Rica!
In this blog post, we are going to share everything you need to know to plan the best trip to Puntarenas Costa Rica.
Puntarenas Map Along The Pacific Ocean
Puntarenas is Costa Rica’s largest province, with a total area of 1.276 km2.
What makes this Puntarenas province so unique is it stretches 643 kilometers along the Pacific coastline. In fact, the province goes all the way to the Panamanian border.
Besides the amazing beaches along the Pacific coastline, the province is home to numerous parks and natural reserves.
The port of Caldera and the city of Puntarenas, receive hundreds of tourists daily, from countless cruise ships.
A popular cruise itinerary among tourists starts in California, stops in Mexico, then Costa Rica in Puntarenas, and passes the Panama Canal before heading to Florida. Many tourists would refer to Puntarenas as the port city!
For many years during the 70s, 80s, and even the 90s Puntarenas was the main place for locals to vacation.
Today, Puntarenas’s port has an important significance for the country’s tourism and fishing industry as the port is widely used for commercial fishing and is used as a docking station for cruise ships making their way to the Panama Canal.
How to get to Puntarenas
Public Transport
The public transportation system in the country is quite reliable and there are many connections across major towns, especially to the capital city of the country, San Jose about 100 kilometers away from the city of Puntarenas. The journey will take between 2 – 3 hours, you won’t be disappointed by the amazing landscapes along the route.
Guided Tours
There are so many different activities you can do in the province, Puntarenas Costa Rica can get overwhelming.
We are big fans of guided tours!
Just imagine how stress-free it feels to have everything organized for you for a day. Guided tours usually have transport costs including a local guide, and lunch, so really, it only has advantages if you want to discover natural treasures with a local. It is also very practical if you want to visit a popular destination that is in a remote area.
Renting a Car
When we travel, we love having the freedom to choose where we want to go without having everything fixed with a timely schedule so we like to mix it up between public transport and renting a car.
For all destinations across the globe, we always use Discover Cars. It operates in Costa Rica, offering a variety of vehicles.
Just remember to bring your valid driver’s license and passport. We usually make the airport our pick-up and drop-off point.
Best things to do in Puntarenas Costa Rica
Before we jump in, let’s talk briefly about the history.
This area was once a place that Costa Ricans traveled to for vacation.
The Europeans arrived in Puntarenas in 1517 when the Spanish expeditionary Hernán Ponce de Lón named the town Villa Brauseles in the name of Brusela.
It took a while before Puntarenas’s Nicoya Gulf was used as a port and in 1840 the port opened for exportable volumes of coffee from across the region.
Beaches and surfing on the Pacific Coast
Puntarenas Costa Rica is an amazing region for visitors looking to spend time on many beaches and go surfing.
We would suggest Playa Doña Ana, Santa Teresa, Playa Blanca, and the beaches on the Nicoya Peninsula as a few Puntarenas beaches.
Among those is also, Jaco a great place if you are looking for a good balance between beach views, surf, and a small city.
If you come to Jaco, don’t skip the Tarcoles River, this is an amazing stop for crocodile sightings!
Every beach has a special appeal of its own, and this Pacific Ocean coastline has many excellent surfing locations.
Not only are the beaches beautiful, but they also offer a wide range of activities such as beach volleyball, horseback riding, and beachfront yoga classes.
Snorkeling and Scuba Diving in Puntarenas Costa Rica
Snorkeling and scuba diving in Puntarenas Costa Rica is an incredible experience!
We were amazed by the colorful coral reefs, sea turtles, and stingrays.
The professional guides ensured our safety and shared their expert knowledge.
We explored hidden coves, discovered secret underwater caves, and we were amazed by the marine ecosystem.
The visibility was excellent, and it was quite warm so made it even more enjoyable.
The most famous UNESCO World Heritage Site Isla del Coco is known as one of the best diving spots in the world, we encountered numerous marine species during our dives, including large schools of hammerhead sharks, dolphins, and manta rays!
Isla San Lucas
This island is located in the Gulf of Nicoya, there is a mixture of activities you can do here.
First of all, it’s important to know that San Lucas has a dark history as this used to be a prison island in Puntarenas Costa Rica. So, if you are interested in history, you will definitely love the island. The prisons are now ruins you can visit with a guided tour.
Apart from that, there are beautiful landscapes, wildlife sighting opportunities, hiking trails, and of course panoramic views of the ocean.
Manuel Antonio National Park
A trip to Puntarenas, wouldn’t be complete without exploring Manuel Antonio National Park, one of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica.
Manuel Antonio offers everything, white sandy beaches, rugged forests and corals. Go snorkeling for a fun-filled underwater paradise and relax on a beautiful beach.
Beware, it is a famous tourist attraction so you will see many visitors hiking in the park during peak hours between 11 AM and 5 PM.
We went on a guided tour and found it worth the visit. Our guide was amazing at spotting species of birds, reptiles, and sloths.
It was the first time we saw so many sloths this close to us!
Paseo de los Touristas
Had enough of the quiet natural areas and national parks?
Located in the heart of the Puntarenas city you can explore the walk-friendly area Paseo de los Turistas, or The Boulevard.
We went there twice and concluded the best time to go there is in the evening when the boulevard comes to life with music, laughter and beautiful sunset sea views.
Wildlife & Nature at the Carara National Park
Carara National Park has a unique mix of biodiversity because of the weather conditions as it is in a transition area between the dry north and the humid south. You will find very particular bird species here.
If you are a passionate bird watcher, you are in for a treat!
The island is also home to white-faced capuchin monkeys, mantled howler monkeys, coatis, agoutis, and more.
The park is a great day trip activity, it is easily accessible from popular destinations like San Jose and Jaco.
Monteverde Cloud Forest
Located in the Monteverde Area, is another great activity for nature lovers. The Monteverde Cloud Forest is an amazing rainforest adventure in Puntarenas Costa Rica.
Our favourite activity there was zip lining, we loved the adrenaline rush from the experience while enjoying amazing views above the treetops of Monteverde Biological Reserve.
If you are interested in this activity, check out the different tours available on Get Your Guide:
We recommend booking your tour in advance, as this is a very popular activity that will highly sell out!
Don’t worry, if you prefer staying on the ground the park has many other activities such as horse riding, bird watching, hiking or even ecological night walks!
Santa Elena Cloud Forest Reserve
Puntarenas Costa Rica has many cloud forests, Santa Elena will be the last one we will share for now!
This Cloud Forest is yet another must-visit for natural area enthusiasts.
Located at a slightly higher elevation is what makes this cloud forest unique, creating a more humid environment.
With 6km of well-defined trails, you can explore the rainforest and spot fascinating species like pygmy spiders.
You can expect the best views from the Tower of View Arena!
Hotels in Puntarenas Costa Rica
Luxury
Stay in style at Casa Celajes ON THE BEACH w/Pool – Jacuzzi in Puntarenas. This air-conditioned holiday home offers a private pool, balcony, free parking, and WiFi. Enjoy the terrace, 2 bedrooms, living room, and well-equipped kitchen with a minibar. Flat-screen TV included. Just 70 meters from Playa Pochote and close to Playa Angostura and Puntarenas Beach. Juan Santamaría International Airport is 78 km away.
Mid-Range Hotel
Pier Sands Casita just 80 meters from Playa Pochote, this accommodation offers free WiFi, full-day security, and a comfortable stay near top attractions like Parque Marino del Pacifico and Lito Perez Stadium. The nearest airport, Juan Santamaría International Airport, is 80 km away.
Budget Accommodation
Hostel Plinio in Manuel Antonio (1.5 km from Quepos) offers an outdoor pool, shared kitchen, game room, and free WiFi. Enjoy ocean views from the balcony of our dorms, private rooms, and family rooms. Free breakfast served daily.
Cash payment only. Tour desk and parking available. Manuel Antonio National Park 4 km away. Juan Santamaría International Airport is 150 km away.
Best Time to visit Puntarenas
Love sunny weather? Maximize beach time in Puntarenas Costa Rica in the dry season (Dec-Apr). Average temp: 80°F (27°C), rare rainfall.
For nature enthusiasts, visit during the rainy season (May-Nov), known as the ‘Green Season.’ Short showers, lush green landscapes.
Bird-watchers, check out April-May and Nov-Dec for migratory birds. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery!
Tips for Visiting Puntarenas Costa Rica
Costa Rica Puntarenas offers an authentic and vibrant experience for all who visit. To ensure you make the most of your trip, consider the following tips:
Currency: While USD is widely accepted in Costa Rica, it’s a good idea to have some Costa Rican colóns on hand, especially for smaller purchases and local markets.
Sun Protection: Costa Rica’s tropical climate means intense sun. Don’t forget to pack and wear sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.
Stay Hydrated: It can get hot and humid. Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, especially if you’re out exploring all day.
Respect Nature: Costa Rica is known for its biodiversity. Respect the wildlife and don’t feed or disturb the animals.
Conclusion
We hope you got inspired to plan the best activities in Puntarenas Costa Rica. From national parks, natural treasures, beaches and islands you will have an amazing time!
Let us know in the comments below which activities you decided to do!
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