About Central Pacific Coast
Puntarenas is a city in the Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. As the seat of the Municipality of Puntarenas canton, it is awarded the title of city, which comprises the Puntarenas, Chacarita and El Roble districts. As the city of the first canton of the province, it is the capital city of the Puntarenas Province as well, according to the Administrative divisions of Costa Rica.
Places to visit in Central Pacific Coast
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Manuel Antonio National Park
Park · 37 mi from centreA small park of rainforest trails and white-sand coves where monkeys, sloths and iguanas are common. Buy tickets online ahead of time, and hire a guide with a spotting scope to see far more wildlife.
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Carara National Park
Park · 7 mi from centreA forest reserve where dry and humid ecosystems meet, known for scarlet macaws that fly to the coast at dusk. Go early in the morning for the best bird activity, and bring insect repellent for the humid trails.
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Tárcoles River
Nature · 10 mi from centreA river near Carara famous for the large American crocodiles that gather below the highway bridge. Stop at the bridge viewpoint or take a boat tour, and never leave valuables in a parked car here.
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Jacó
Beach · 2 mi from centreA lively beach town within easy reach of San José, popular for surfing lessons and nightlife. The surf has strong rip currents, so swim only where the water is calm and lifeguards are on duty.
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Quepos
Neighborhood · 34 mi from centreA port town that serves as the gateway to Manuel Antonio, with a marina and a busy sportfishing fleet. Stay here for more local restaurants, and use the frequent buses to reach the park entrance.
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Ballena Marine National Park
Nature · 67 mi from centreA marine park near Uvita whose sandbar forms the shape of a whale's tail at low tide. Humpback whales visit during part of the year; check tide tables so you can walk out on the sandbar.
Things to do in Central Pacific Coast by type
22 tours, tickets and experiences across 2 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.
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Outdoor activities & Adventure 9 experiences Aerial Tram and High Rope Circuit – Half-Day Pass at Jaco Beach with Optional Guide -
Zoo, Aquarium & Nature 8 experiences Arenal Volcano and Baldi Hot Springs from San Jose
- 1-3 hours 3
- Over 6 hours 1
- 3-6 hours 1
- Youth 6
- Families 6
- Couples 4
- Senior 2
- Families with kids 1
Top experiences in Central Pacific Coast
Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 22 available.
Carara National Park
From $111 per adult
Naranjo River White Water Rafting
From $112 per adult
Catamaran adventure
From $118 per adult
White Water Rafting in El Chorro
From $135 per adult
Horseback Riding Tour
From $105 per adult
Ocean kayaking and snorkeling Tour
From $100 per adult
Savegre River Rafting Tour
From $135 per adult
Manuel Antonio National Park Tour
From $88 per adult
Damas Island Mangrove Boat Tour
From $102 per adult
Canopy Titi Zip Line Tour
From $124 per adult
Costa Rica Local Flavors Tasting Tour
From $100 per adult
Damas Island Kayaking Tour
From $100 per adult
Best time to visit Central Pacific Coast
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Central Pacific Coast is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 81–87°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.
Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.
Central Pacific Coast weather forecast
- Wed 21 Oct 85° 74° 100%
- Thu 22 Oct 86° 74° 100%
- Fri 23 Oct 85° 74° 100%
- Sat 24 Oct 84° 76° 100%
- Sun 25 Oct 83° 76° 100%
- Mon 26 Oct 85° 74° 98%
Know before you go
- Currency
- Costa Rican colón (CRC)1 US dollar ≈ ₡454
- Language
- Spanish
- Calling code
- +506
- Driving
- On the right
- Time zone
- America/Costa_RicaUTC−6
- Capital
- San José
Upcoming public holidays in Costa Rica
- Army Abolition DayDía de la Abolición del Ejército
- Christmas DayNavidad
- New Year's DayAño Nuevo
- Maundy ThursdayJueves Santo
- Good FridayViernes Santo
- Juan Santamaría DayDía de Juan Santamaría
Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.
Getting to Central Pacific Coast
These are the airports closest to central Central Pacific Coast. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.
- TMU Tambor Airport29 mi (47 km) from the city centre
- XQP Quepos La Managua Airport35 mi (56 km) from the city centre
- SJO Juan Santamaría International Airport36 mi (58 km) from the city centre
Getting around Central Pacific Coast
Local buses leave from downtown and are relatively inexpensive. For travel to places outside of Puntarenas (e.g., Jacó, Manuel Antonio) there's a main bus station. Buses are usually on time and sometimes even leave early, so plan accordingly. Don't be surprised to see vendors on buses selling snacks and drinks.
Central Pacific Coast travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Central Pacific Coast?
Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Central Pacific Coast is all year round, when average daytime highs are around 81–87°F and rain falls on about 23 days a month.
What is the weather like in Central Pacific Coast?
March is usually the warmest month in Central Pacific Coast, with average highs of 87°F (31°C). November is the coolest, with average lows of 73°F (23°C). The wettest month is typically June, with about 688 mm of rain.
Which airport is closest to Central Pacific Coast?
Tambor Airport (TMU) is the closest airport, about 29 miles (47 km) from the centre of Central Pacific Coast. Other nearby airports include Quepos La Managua Airport (XQP, 35 mi) and Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO, 36 mi).
What currency is used in Central Pacific Coast?
Central Pacific Coast uses the Costa Rican colón (CRC). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ ₡454.
What time zone is Central Pacific Coast in?
Central Pacific Coast uses the America/Costa_Rica time zone (currently UTC−6). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.
How do I get around Central Pacific Coast?
Local buses leave from downtown and are relatively inexpensive. For travel to places outside of Puntarenas (e.g., Jacó, Manuel Antonio) there's a main bus station. Buses are usually on time and sometimes even leave early, so plan accordingly. Don't be surprised to see vendors on buses selling snacks and drinks.
What are the best places to visit in Central Pacific Coast?
Top sights in Central Pacific Coast include Manuel Antonio National Park, Carara National Park, Tárcoles River and Jacó. A small park of rainforest trails and white-sand coves where monkeys, sloths and iguanas are common. Buy tickets online ahead of time, and hire a guide with a spotting scope to see far more wildlife.
What are the top things to do in Central Pacific Coast?
Popular experiences you can book in Central Pacific Coast include Carara National Park, Naranjo River White Water Rafting and Catamaran adventure. Destina Holidays offers 22 tours and activities here.
What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Central Pacific Coast?
The most popular types of experiences in Central Pacific Coast are outdoor activities & adventure (9), zoo, aquarium & nature (8), day trips & excursions (1) and cruise & water tours (1). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.
