The Port of Puntarenas

The province of Puntarenas lies to the west of the country along the Pacific Coast. It stretches along two thirds of the country and is also its largest province. The capital city, San José, is 75 miles apart. The lifestyle is laidback. The province occupies nearly 11,277 sq km. It extends to the southern border of Panama. The flora and fauna of the area is unique and diverse. Puntarenas is the place to be if you are fond of adventures.

It is convenient to divide the province in halves because the area is vast and extensive. North Puntarenas extends up to Manuel Antonio National Park, while South Puntarenas comprises of Drake Bay, Osa Peninsula, and Pavones.

There are a number of activities you can explore while in North Puntarenas. Walking on the beachfront and riding on the white water rapids are popular. It has some wonderful national parks. Parque National Manuel Antonio is a preferred destination with white sand beaches and green mountains. There are many hotels and place of accommodation in close proximity. In addition, the park draws visitors from all age groups.

Another tourist destination is Jaco Beach which is a resort town known for its nightlife. If surfing is your passion, head to Dominical or Mal Pais, which lies on the Nicoya Peninsula. To the south, lie many beaches that need to be explored. Some of these beaches have dense forests in the background. Although surfing is popular, care should be taken as there are strong currents and tides.

Puerto Plata City is a famous destination on Osa peninsula. San vito is also a town near the border of Panama. The influence of Italy is visible. Many tourists engage in scuba diving.

Puntarenas served a port of Costa Rica for many years. Presently, it handles the cruise ships. The town is home to a large fishing fleet. This makes seafood very popular on most menus of the restaurants. Some of the popular seafood dishes include shrimp scampi, pescado entero, and ceviche de corvina, which involves marination of fresh fish with lime juice, onions, peppers, and spices.

Weekends see the bulk of the crowd, especially from San José. Open-air cafés are plenty in the region, offering ice cream, desserts, and fresh-fruit drinks.

The creation of the Pacific marine Park has led to a cultural renaissance. Most tour itineraries include this destination. There are nearly 28 tanks set to explore what lies beneath the Pacific Coast. Tortuga Island is accessible by renting a boat. The museum is the cultural landmark of the province. Its primary aim is to focus on the relationship between the culture and natural ecosystems of the place.