Along the Pacific coast of Costa Rica is the little port city of Puntarenas with a small population of 100,000 people. It is part of the Province of Puntarenas, the largest province in Costa Rica. Puntarenas as a port city only grew in prominence in the 19th century. It was then a major hub for coffee trade and also declared as a duty-free port. In the 20th century, the port facilities got old and a new port was built to the south of Puntarenas and called the Port of Caldera.
Today, Puntarenas is no longer a trading hub but a tourist hub and its refurbished port is instead visited by cruise ships. Many tourists come to Puntarenas to connect to other destinations along the Pacific coast like the Nicoya Peninsula to the north and Caño Island to the south and the many great beaches, islands and nature reserves in-between. Puntarenas is also the pickup point for liveaboard diving vessels making the long journey to majestic Cocos Island.
Other attractions
Enjoy beaches in Puntarenas or anywhere to the north and south of the port city. Surfers will be spoilt for choice here with the Pacific coast offering world-class surfing. Inland, trek dense jungles and hike up mountainous areas for a beautiful view of the coast. There are plenty of waterfalls to find as well as wildlife tours to enjoy. Adventure sports are also a popular choice. You can choose from river rafting, ziplining or horseback riding. No matter where you find yourself, you’ll want to plan at least a day to lay back, relax and enjoy the Costa Rican scenery.
Getting there
The closest international airport to Puntarenas is Juan Santamaria Airport in San José. From the airport, you’ll need to take ground transport to your destination in Puntarenas. The journey is about an hour and a half, but distances vary as Puntarenas is a very large province. Once you’ve reached your holiday destination of choice, you can use buses, taxis or rental cars to travel from point A to point B.
Spanish; Castilian
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Note - Travel to any destination may be adversely affected by conditions including (but not limited) to security, entry and exit requirements, health conditions, local laws and culture, natural disasters and climate. Regardless of your destination, check your local travel advisory board or department for travel advice about that location when planning your trip and again shortly before you leave.
