Travel info: the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

map of Central Pacific Costa Rica

The heading reads Travel Info: the Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. You might be asking: "What are you doing?" Dividing the country up into sections? Yes. This will make the pages long. You might ask yourself, 'how will I ever find anything?' Yes, I asked myself the exact same questions. This is a long reference page and is most useful when you need to put the whole travel plan together. In other words, it reads something like a book. To make it a bit easier to read, I've divided into travel highlights, which, if you click on the link, will take you directly to the content. I've also build references to lead to these mega-pages. In the end, I felt that getting the whole picture of an area, will give you a different perspective on travel planning.

One of the most popular destinations in Costa Rica, the Central Pacific Coast, offers some great spots for nature lovers to explore. There's something for everybody. There's fishing, hiking, surfing, bathing, and wildlife watching.

Travel highlights for the Central Pacific Coast

  • Crocodile riverboat trip: A riverboat cruise where visitors will see crocodiles on the Rio Tarcoles and view a spectacular number of birds.
  • Carara National Park: An easily accessible national park, this area borders on moist and dry topical ecosystems and provides a great chance to see macaws, monkeys, and sloths.
  • Rainmaker Conservation Project: Elevated boardwalks in the sky lead visitors through the forest canopy of a private reserve.
  • Manuel Antonio National Park: A popular and well-visited rainforest reserve, this park offers wildlife, nature trails and beautiful beaches.
  • Baru National Wildlife Refuge: Spanning numerous ecosystems including mangroves and montane rainforest, this reserve is rich in wildlife.
  • Reptilandia Park: A reptile zoo that offer dozens of snake species from around the world. This is an great place for reptile lovers.
  • Marino Ballena National Park: Whale watching in the park of the same name is near Uvita. Good time to go is during the birthing season.

The region has several well-paved roads which are not found throughout Costa Rica. This may be a part of the reason for the increase in travel and retirement to this area.

Puntarenas

Prior to the mid-20th century, Puntarenas was the largest and most significant open water port in Costa Rica. In 1981, a larger port was built just 18-km (11.25 mi) southeast of Puntarenas and now the town survives on tourism.

Its proximity to San Jose makes this a popular destination with Tico vacationers. The ocean is polluted at this site but the beaches are kept clean.

The reason to come here is to use the ferry to reach the beaches of southern Nicoya.

Services include a hospital, banks, tourist office, and tours.

Tourism sights in Puntarenas:

  • La Casa de la Cultura: Art gallery and seasonal exhibits
  • Museo Historico Marino: History of Puntarenas.
  • Puntarenas Marine Park: An aquarium that showcases manta rays and other creatures form the Pacific.
  • Paseo de los Turistas: A pedestrian boulevard with souvenir shops and stalls.
  • Playa San Isidro: The first beach, as heading south, on the central pacific coast.

Getting to Puntarenas & away

Car and passenger ferries depart for the Nicoya Peninsula. From the northwestern dock (Av. 3 and Calles 31 & 33) departs for Playa Naranjo and Pacquera. Two ferry companies depart from this dock.

Travel from Puntarenas to Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park

Just south of Puntarenas is Boca Barranca which is a famous surf spot with a great wave that is the 3rd longest left-hand in the world. It's possible to surf year-round at Boca Barranca.

Travel to Mata de Limon & beyond

Situated on a mangrove lagoon, this is a day trip destination for vacationers to Puntarenas. It's a birding location which is best at low tide when the birds flock to the area to feed.

Travel to Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park

This park is an eco-adventure park targeted at cruise ship visitors. It has a botanical garden where each of the topographic zones of Costa Rica is presented. The gardens are accessed by an aerial tram which is included in the price of admission. The park offers a canopy tour.

Tarcoles River with the crocodiles

Just south of Orotina, Hwy 34 crosses with the Rio Tarcoles. This is one of the easiest places in Costa Rica to spot crocodiles. Crocodiles gather at the mouth of the river in good numbers, so be careful.

Also there are 400 species of birds on this river, which makes a boat ride up the river a must-do activity in Costa Rica. There are several outfitters offering tours.

At the turnoff for Tarcoles from Hwy 34, a dirt road leads east and climbs to Bijaqual. Two kilometers above the road is the SkyWay, a canopy tour with bridges and fabulous views of the coast.

Drive another 5-km (3 mi) on this road and look for the trailhead Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva. This 180m (160 ft) waterfall is spectacular. Two-km (1.25 mi) further is the Pura Vida Botanical Garden offering dramatic views of the Manantial de Agua Viva waterfall and the coast.

Carara National Park

Only 50-km (31 mi) south of Puntarenas, this 5,245-hectare (13,000-acre) national park is the most northerly Pacific rainforest in Costa Rica. It is here that the transition zone begins between the tropical dry forests of the northwest and the rainforests of the south. It's a zone rich with wildlife and a high density of trees believed to be one of the highest densities in the world.

There are indigenous burial sites in this park and it's possible to visit these archaeological sites with a guide. The park was named for the word crocodile which is where the name Carara is derived — the tongue of the local indigenous group, Huetar language. However, not much is known about this indigenous group, as they did not leave much archaeological evidence behind. There are a few remaining survivors of this indigenous group who live in small villages in the Central Valley.

Some of the park highlights include 400 species of birds, numerous mammals and reptiles.

It's possible to get a public bus and get out at the park.

Playa Herradura

A major resort development that became popular as a result of the movie 1942, Playa Herradura has major condominium developments and a large beach and golf resort. The beach is still dominated by Costa Ricans, as they beach comb and enjoy this palm-sheltered beach.

Tourism attractions in Playa Herradura:

  • Golfing: The principal reason to come here is to golf and is a popular package travel destination for Americans.
  • Snorkeling & diving: Local dive shop can arrange snorkel and dive trips.

Beachfront has many popular seafood restaurants and there is limited budget accommodation.

Jaco Costa Rica

Pronounced ha-ko, this place is the quickest ocean side escape for landlocked Costa Ricans. Jaco offers year-round warm water and surf. It has grown from a small beach community that Costa Ricans referred to as paradise to a retirees community and has developed at an exponentially fast rate.

Tourism attractions in Jaco Costa Rica

  • Surfing: There are consistent year-round breaks for surfing in Jaco.
  • Surfcasting: Several shops in town rent fishing gear and sell bait.
  • Hiking: A popular trail leads through Miros Mountain but visitors only need to travel a few kms to reach a view point. Trailhead is at entrance to canopy tour. Ask locals to point it out.
  • Horseback riding: Locals and foreigners offer riding.
  • Hang gliding: Option to fly in a hang glider or three-seat ultra-light plane.
  • Kayaking: Kayaking and canoe trips are offered by local outfitters.
  • Relaxing: A full range of spa services are offered in Jaco.
  • Learning: Language course are offered at several schools in Jaco.
  • Sightseeing: Book a tour to a national park, such as Parque Nacional Carara. Numerous companies offer tours such as canopy, safari, bird watching, kayaking, etc.
  • Biking: Rent a bike for about US$2 per hour and explore the area.
  • Scootering: Mopeds and small scooters can also be rented for a day.
  • Touring nature: Neofauna offers educational tours and exhibits and is north of Jaco where visitors will find frogs, caiman and snakes

Accommodation & food in Jaco

Jaco offers a considerable number of accommodation and restaurants at various budgets.

Drinking & entertainment in Jaco Costa Rica

There are a number of dance clubs in Jaco. Partying is a big part of the scene here, as many foreigners, surfers, retirees and spring-breakers are patrons to this beachside community.

Playa Hermosa

Located some 5-km (3 mi) from Jaco, Playa Hermosa is a quiet community. The beach has large waves, which pound the 10-km (6 mi)-long beach and can only be recommended for advanced surfers. The development is this town is relatively low key and most visitors stay in Jaco as there are more services including accommodation and food options in Jaco.

Rainmaker Conservation Project

A 540-hectare (1,330-acre) private reserve on the slopes of the Fila Chonta mountains southeast of Parrita, is a project that has 6 suspension bridges forming 250m (825 ft) of aerial walkway through the canopy. On the ground are wooden boardwalks that lead through a river canyon with pools for bathing. Be sure to make reservations for this tour by contacting the project.

Quepos & Manuel Antonio

The closest town to Manuel Antonio National Park is Quepos, which used to be a small sleepy, provincial town of fisherman, merchants and plantation workers. Today, Quepos is a tourist center providing services for the boat loads of visitors from abroad. The primary reason to visit is for eco-tourism. The wildlife viewing opportunities are abundant and successful at Manuel Antonio.

Tourism attractions in Quepos & Manuel Antonio:

  • Sport fishing: From December to April there is good offshore fishing and plenty of outfitters.
  • Diving: Dive sites are still being developed but there are several outfitters.
  • Touring: Several tour operators take visitors on rafting, mountain biking, horseback riding, boating, kayaking, snorkeling, walking and fishing tours.

Hotels & food in Quepos & Manuel Antonio

A wide range of accommodation and restaurants are available in Quepos, including budge to expensive.

Drinking & entertainment in Quepos & Manuel Antonio

Quepos has a bit of a more sophisticated night scene than other destinations such as Jaco, including a casino at the Best Western.

Quepos to Manuel Antonio

From the port of Quepos, the road swings inland for 7-km (4 mi) before reaching Manuel Antonio village and the entrance of the national park. The hills on this road are filled with hotels with ocean views.

More notably, this area is regarded as the most popular gay travel destination in Costa Rica and most of the day time activity is at La Playita, while the night time scene moves to upscale clubs.

Tourism services from Quepos to Manuel Antonio :

  • Internet: Several cafes in town offering internet service.
  • Money: A bank with 24-hour ATM is available.
  • Tourist information: La Buena Nota offers good information for this area.

Tourism attractions from Quepos to Manuel Antonio:

  • Learning: there are several schools providing Spanish language instruction.
  • White water rafting: outfitters offer rafting trips on the Savegre and Naranjo rivers.
  • Relaxing: spa treatments are available offering couple’s massages and scrubs.

Things to see:

  • Playa Espadilla: A 2-km (1.25 mi) long beach, there are other beaches tucked around in tiny coves. Visitors can hike to these coves.
  • Fincas Naturales Butterfly Garden: A nature reserve that has 16-hectares (39-acres) of grounds with trials and a butterfly garden, snake pit and crocodile lagoon.

Accommodation & food from Quepos to Manuel Antonio

A good selection of mid-range to high-end accommodation is available, while food can be found in hotels and independent places.

Drinking & entertainment from Quepos to Manuel Antonio

There are some good nightclubs and the scene changes rapidly so inquire with cab drivers and so on.

Manuel Antonio National Park

Manuel Antonio National Park is composed of three long strands of white sand and the surrounding cliffs which are covered in jungle vegetation. The primary forest meets the water's edge at this national park and it's the only park in Costa Rica to do so. The evergreen forest is a littoral forest and contains different species of tree and plants including a tree called manzanillo. This tree has poisonous fruits that look like little crab apples.

Manuel Antonio was declared a national park in 1972 and was enlarged to 1,625-hectares (4,015-acres) in 2000 but sill remains the second smallest national park in Costa Rica. Although this is a busy park, it is very beautiful and has a very well-marked trail system through the rainforest and beaches.

There are an abundance of animals to view in this park and it's easy to access. Some of the opportunities include:

Visitors can hire a licensed naturalist guide for a 2-hour tour who will have an official i.d. badge and will virtually guarantee that you will see wildlife. Prices per person are approximately US$25.

Hiking through Manuel Antonio National Park is simple, as the trails are well marked and there are some good views of the Pacific Ocean. The trails lead to the beaches. The beaches are clean, wide and lovely.

There are three beaches: Playa Espadilla, Playa Manuel Antonio and Playa Puerto Escondido. The latter requires visitors to hike a further distance but only during low tide. At the furthest beach, visitors can see a semicircle of rocks that archaeologists believe were arranged by pre-Columbian Indians. It is believed that this arrangement functioned as a turtle trap.

Be sure to get trail information at the park ranger and information center, as there are several trails and options for exploring the national park.

Visitors should be prepared to bring their own gear as there are opportunities to sunbathe, snorkel and body surf. Please note that this park is very busy on weekends during high season.

Outside of Manuel Antonio National Park, in the hills that rise up from the beach, are some opportunities to try some adventure activities including horseback riding, mountain biking, white water rafting, and of course there is sea kayaking on the ocean.

Quepos and Manuel Antonio to Uvita

A great place to find a part of Costa Rica that isn't overly developed is the stretch of highway south of Quepos. The road hadn't been paved in the past due to the politics of the regional government. The road is, reportedly, being paved.

The positive side of this stretch of road on the coast is that there are undeveloped beaches still remaining in Costa Rica providing a great place to relax and experience what may have been in Costa Rica before mass tourism and travel.

Things to see in Uvita Costa Rica

  • 15-km (9 mi) south of Quepos is a safari lodge nestled in the rain forest where visitors can sleep in a luxurious tent. Activities include rafting, horseback riding, bird watching and hiking.
  • Matapalo beach is a grey-sand beach with some awesome surf and a great surfing destination.
  • Terciopelo Waterfalls are located just south of Matapalo. Ask someone to point out the trailhead, as it's not easily found.
  • Hacienda Baru National Wildlife Refuge is located a couple of kilometers before Dominical and is made of more than 330-hectares (740-acres). Multitude of habitat and wildlife species have been identified here including 351 birds, 69 mammals, 94 reptiles, 87 butterflies and 158 species of trees. It's located on a biological corridor called the Path of the Tapir. Tours are offered and visitors can request a naturalist guide.
  • Reptilandia Park is about 10-km (6.25 mi) from Dominical and is a well-laid-out animal park with large caves and display tanks where visitors will see turtles, crocodiles, snakes, lizards and frogs. Visit on Friday when the animals are being fed. This park is reputed to be one of the best in Costa Rica.

Accommodations & food in Uvita

There are a number of budget to mid-range accommodations on this unpaved stretch of road and some are on the beach. There are several excellent restaurants.

Dominical

One of the most popular travel destinations on Costa Rica's pacific coast for surfing, Dominical has some monster waves and a laid-back scene. Because it was difficult to access, Dominical has not been developed into a resort area. There are lots of gringos here but the town has not, yet, been commercialized.

Tourism attractions in Dominical Costa Rica

  • Surfing: Learn to surf at one of the schools in Dominical.
  • Learning: Spanish language courses are offered with a home stay option.
  • Touring: Eco-and-adventure tours are offered to Corcovado National Park and Marine Whale National Park. Also available are tours to Guaymi indigenous reserve near Boruca.
  • Relax at La Joya Perfecta where you can focus on preventative, corrective, mental and spiritual health and get a spa treatment.
  • Cycling: Rent a bike at San Clemente Bar & Grill

Dangers & annoyances in Dominical

For inexperienced swimmers and surfers, this beach is very dangerous. There are waves, currents and rip tides and numerous people have drowned at this beach.

Please note that there is a growing drug problem in Dominical and some bars get a little rough at night.

Accommodations & food in Dominical

There are plenty of budget to mid-range options for food and accommodation in Dominical.

Dominical to Uvita

The paved road continues south of Dominical and on this road there are several wildlife reserves and several good quality accommodation options.

Uvita Costa Rica

A small village just 17-km (11 mi) south of Dominical, it is slowly being developed for baby boomers who are going into retirement. It's still a relatively sleepy town but is starting to change. It is near the Parque National Marino Ballena where you can view whales during the winter months. Uvita offers some good eating and sleeping options for visitors while they explore the park.

Marine Whale National Park

Whale Marine National Park is located just south of Uvita. It's comprised of 4,500-hectares (11,000-acres) and covers 15-km (9 mi) of beachfront and 15-km (9 mi) of ocean. The park has a large coral reef and several golden-sand beaches. Whales migrate through these waters from December through March.

From May to November, the Olive Ridley turtle comes ashore to lay eggs and dolphins can be found offshore.

Snorkeling is good but stay close to shore. There are caves worth exploring. Isla Ballena has boobies, pelicans and frigate birds.

There is a ranger station at Playa Ballena with showers and toilets and free camping. There are entrance fees.

Playa Uvita is composed of two sandy beaches and is one of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches and at low tide has calm conditions for underwater exploration. Local boatmen will take visitors to the reef for snorkeling, fishing and bird watching. It's also possible to walk along the beach and reach the reef by foot. Head north during low tide to reach the reef.