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Puntarenas Costa Rica

Puntarenas is the name of a Costa Rican, as well as port city located on the Pacific Coast and covers and extensive amount of territory with alabaster sand beaches. It's the largest Province of Costa Rica and its located 75 miles (120 km) west of San Jose Puntarenas means “Sandy Point”. It is a long narrow sand spit that is an extension of the Nicoya Peninsula and juts out into the Gulf of Nicoya, only two blocks wide at its narrowest point. To the south is the open end of the Nicoya Peninsula with mild surf hitting the beach, which can be crossed by taking a ferry. On the north is an estuary with mangrove swaps, important to wildlife and fisheries. Buses depart daily from San Jose leaving every 40 minutes but they can get horribly crowded. You can also charter and air-taxi to Chacarita Airport, east of the town of Puntarenas, but there are no scheduled services. Puntarenas has suffered some economic stagnation but is recovering due to the current tourist boom. Being Costa Rica’s most important fishing port, Puntarenas is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood: shrimp scampi, fried fish, Corvina ceviche and more dishes that will be a treat to your taste buds. Port Caldera which is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Puntarenas has become the most important port of call for major cruise liners, which may explain why real estate investments here have become more lucrative.

The Principal attractions are on the Pacific coast itself. The islands located in the Nicoya Peninsula are within the boundaries of this province as well as part of the Tilaran and Talamanca Mountain Ranges. Puntarenas is the country's most important fishing port. The town of Puntarenas has a lovely old church and several pleasant restaurants with good food. During high season you can enjoy good, inexpensive plays and concerts at the “Casa de la Cultura”. Along the ocean side of downtown is the famous “Paseo de los Turistas”, a three-lined street and promenade adjoining the beach with soda stands and several hotels. The ocean here isn't as clean as in remote areas. It's not recommended for swimming. Several hotels face the beach and they have pools. Some deluxe hotels are facing the estuary, and there are cabins ranging from basic to deluxe accommodations. Reservations must be made during the high season. The hotels are usually noted by their food, and there are is also small inexpensive Chinese, pizza, and seafood restaurants throughout the city.

In southern Puntarenas, there are more tourist facilities, some new and some old, between Puntarenas and Jaco Beach. This port city is also a home of numerous festivals including the annual “Festejos Populares” in November, with music, parades and carnivals. The colorful “Virgin of the Sea Festival” in July, features regional dishes, masquerades, art, a fishing boat regatta and parade celebrating the Day of the virgin. In February and March the city dresses up for annual carnival celebrations. Jaco Beach is located in Puntarenas province and it is one of the places you can visit, because of its closeness to the Central Valley. Jaco beach is a 2.5 mile (4 km) straight stretch of Beach that is frequented not only by tourists and surfers from all over the world; it is also the most popular beach for the young Costa Rican crowd. The grayish-yellow sand beach has surf with strong waves and is perfect for surfers but only recommended for strong swimmers since strong currents claim victims almost every year here.