As one of the most visited regions in the country, there are plenty of things to do in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Despite the small size of the city of Puntarenas, you can find several important places to visit. Once you have finished with the urban part, you can discover all the wonders of the rest of the province.
You will be able to enjoy an extensive coastline full of breathtaking beaches, paradisaical islands and nature that will leave you speechless. It is the ideal destination to enjoy nature and the sea, as well as the wonderful climate that Costa Rica has to offer. This part of the country also boasts some of the most impressive flora and fauna in the world, and is a favourite destination for travellers from all around the globe. Read on to find out more!
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Things to see in Puntarenas Costa Rica
Paseo de los Turistas
The Paseo de los Turistas, as its name suggests, is a pedestrian boulevard that runs along the coast from one end of the city to the other. It is the ideal spot for a stroll after a day of sightseeing in the city.
Along the boulevard you will find a wide variety of restaurants and places to stop for a drink overlooking the sea, as well as numerous souvenir stalls with local artisan products. You’ll also find a number of kiosks, which are informal-looking but well-known restaurants in the area. Here you can try the famous Churchill, a typical Puntarenas dessert. We recommend going to the promenade at sunset to enjoy the stunning scenery. You won’t regret it.
Sacred Heart Cathedral
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, also known as the Cathedral of Puntarenas, is one of the most important religious buildings in Costa Rica. This beautiful temple is a Roman Catholic church that was built in 1902.
It is located right in the centre of the city, so you will have no problem finding it. As well as its imposing size, it also has an interesting facade made of stone and brick, adding to its allure. You can also go inside and admire its beautiful decoration and architecture. This is a cultural visit you must not miss on your trip to Puntarenas!
Pacific Marine Park
The Pacific Marine Park is an impressive aquarium-like park that is home to a myriad of marine species. It is the ideal place to spend a morning or afternoon, especially if you are travelling with children.
This park is located where the train station used to be. Adults and children alike will be fascinated by the wide variety of aquatic animals in the various tanks. You can see turtles, tropical fish, manta rays, crocodiles and even large sharks! Once you’ve finished your visit, there is a small pool where the kids can take a dip or have fun in the play area. This may become their favourite place in Puntarenas Costa Rica!
Playa Blanca in Puntarenas
Playa Blanca is one of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica. Located less than an hour from Puntarenas, you can easily reach it and enjoy an idyllic spot in front of the sea.
This beach is located within the famous Punta Leona Refuge, in the province of Puntarenas. Enjoy impressive natural surroundings, mainly characterised by the inviting crystal clear waters and white sands. In addition, the mixture of beach and greenery creates a picture-perfect image. You can spend a morning or afternoon enjoying the sun and the water while admiring the impressive cliffs that border the beach, which have been featured in several films. This is the perfect place to snorkel and enjoy the wonders of the sea. Make sure you don’t miss it!
Marine History Museum
The Marine Historical Museum is located inside the old Puntarenas barracks, attached to the House of Culture, the Public Library and an amphitheatre. It is one of the main places to visit on your trip to Puntarenas, Costa Rica.
During your visit, you can enjoy a series of temporary and permanent painting and sculpture exhibitions. You can learn about the first indigenous settlements in the area, as well as their customs and lifestyles. In addition, you can also enjoy an exhibition on the history and importance of the city’s port, as well as a tour of the area’s biodiversity. We 100% recommend visiting.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
What to see around Puntarenas Costa Rica
Los Negritos Island
The Los Negritos Islands are a large biological reserve that aims to care for and maintain numerous species of seabirds, as well as an abundance of flora and fauna in a completely idyllic environment.
Located in the Gulf of Nicoya, it is now part of Costa Rica’s national park system. You can enjoy a completely natural environment with some of the most beautiful native species, as well as a sunny climate. These islands are in close proximity to Tortuga Island, another of the area’s most famous islands. On your visit to these islands, we recommend snorkelling in their waters, as you will be able to see rich marine life. You won’t regret it!
Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park is a vast natural conservation area in the heart of the Pacific Coast, in the province of Puntarenas. With a land area of almost 2,000 hectares and a marine area of more than 55,000 hectares, it is one of the largest and most important parks in the country.
You can spend the day in dreamlike surroundings that blend two of the most beautiful environments in the world: the forest and the sea. Once there you will find numerous trails for long walks, all surrounded by impressive wildlife made up of aquatic areas, mangroves, islands and even a beautiful lagoon. A true natural paradise, ideal for those who enjoy the great outdoors.
See San José
One of the places you can’t miss on your trip to Costa Rica is the capital city, San José. Located less than 100 kilometres from Puntarenas, you will be delighted with all that this city has to offer.
In this city you will be able to enjoy great history and culture, reflected in its buildings, landmarks and even small streets. As it is a city, it also offers a variety of leisure activities that will make your trip to San José a complete adventure. Before leaving, don’t forget to visit some of its most beautiful natural spots, such as the Tortuguero National Park or the Poás Volcano. If you want to find out more, read our post: Things to do in San Jose Costa Rica.
Tips for your trip to Puntarenas Costa Rica
- Wear sufficient sun protection
- Basic vaccinations for tetanus, rabies and hepatitis A and B are recommended.
- Don’t forget to take out good travel insurance.
- Add comfortable shoes for walking in nature to your suitcase.
- Make sure you have enough dollars.
- We recommend renting a car to get around the area.
- Beware of scams in taxis and other means of transport.
What to see in Puntarenas Costa Rica in 1 day?
- Discover the Paseo de los Turistas
- Go to the Marine History Museum
- Admire the Sacred Heart Cathedral
- Enjoy the Playa Blanca
What to see in Puntarenas Costa Rica in 2 days?
- Escape to Los Negritos Islands
- Trip to San José
- Discover the Pacific Marine Park
- Visit the Manuel Antonio National Park
Frequently Asked Questions about a trip to Puntarenas Costa Rica
There are different fees to enter the Pacific Marine Park.
– A ticket for over 12s costs 2,900 colones (equivalent to approximately €4).
– A ticket for children between 4 and 11 years old costs 1,6000 colones (approximately 2€).
– Admission for children under 4 years old is free.
The journey time from San José to Puntarenas is under an hour and a half. It is a 96-kilometre journey, preferably by car, as public transport is limited and not very well connected.
The journey from Puntarenas to Playa Blanca is around 50 kilometres, which takes about an hour.
You will need to take road 17 to El Roble and then take road 23. Then take road 1 and stay on it until you see the fork to road 132. Follow this road until you pass Punta Morales: you have reached your destination.
The easiest way to get to Los Negritos Island is to take a boat from Puntarenas to Tortuga Island, which usually takes a route around the islands in the area, including Los Negritos.
How to plan your itinerary of places to see in Puntarenas?
Download the Passporter app and plan your trip in the most organised way, according to the number of days and places you want to see in the Puntarenas.
With the app you can:
- Get inspired by other travellers’ experiences.
- Save important information about the destinations you want to visit that you have found on the internet. Just install the Chrome extension and save everything useful for your trip.
- Save tickets and reservations.
- Organise your route on Google maps with your accommodation as the starting point or any other point that you choose.
- Know the best travel option for each location.
- Save and post your own photos and experiences as you go, so that when someone asks you “How was your trip to Puntarenas?”, you can say “Visit my traveller profile on Passporter.”
If you are interested in learning more about how to use and get the most out of the Passporter app, you can read our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.
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