Pacific Coast of Costa Rica

This town is not on the Nicoya Peninsula, but rather on Costa Rica's mainland. It is best known as a cruise-ship port and launching pad for ferries heading southeast to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula and for cruises sailing out on the Gulf of Nicoya. Puntarenas is also a major fishing port with a lively fish market. The town’s reputation suffers from the unimpressive parts you see from your car as you roll through town on the way to the ferry dock. But the town has a lot of character off the main drag, thanks to its illustrious past as an affluent port town and principal vacation spot for San José's wealthy, who arrived by train in the last century. Once the port was moved and roads opened to other beaches, Puntarenas's economy crashed, but it's making a comeback. Sitting on a narrow spit of sand—punta de arenas literally means "point of sand"—that protrudes into the Gulf of Nicoya, the town boasts a beautifully groomed, wide Blue Flag beach with views of the Nicoya Peninsula and spectacular sunsets, along with a public swimming pool, the San Lucas Beach Club, and a marine-life museum. Ticos arrive by bus and car to enjoy the beach and stroll the Paseo de los Turistas, a beachfront promenade lined with tree-shaded concrete benches and seafood restaurants. Crowds of locals, called porteños, cruise by on bicycles, the town’s most popular form of transport.

Bahía Drake (Drake Bay) is a remote tropical paradise on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. It serves as a primary gateway to Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and the Caño Island Biological Reserve, a premier spot for snorkeling and diving.

Bahía Drake (Drake Bay) is a remote tropical paradise on the northern side of the Osa Peninsula in southwestern Costa Rica. It serves as a primary gateway to Corcovado National Park, one of the most biodiverse places on Earth, and the Caño Island Biological Reserve, a premier spot for snorkeling and diving.

Río Esquinas is a tranquil, pristine river located in the Puntarenas Province of southern Costa Rica, specifically winding through the lush lowlands of the Osa Peninsula region. It is a vital part of the local ecosystem, flowing through the dense evergreen forests of Piedras Blancas National Park before emptying into the Golfo Dulce.

The river is most famous for its extensive and well-preserved mangrove systems, which are among the largest in the country. Because it is relatively remote and untouched, it offers a "hidden wilderness" experience far from the typical tourist crowds.

Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's most popular destination, famous for its rare combination of lush tropical rainforest and pristine white-sand beaches. Located on the Central Pacific coast near the town of Quepos, it offers exceptionally high biodiversity, including all four of Costa Rica's monkey species and both types of sloths.

Manuel Antonio National Park is Costa Rica's most popular destination, famous for its rare combination of lush tropical rainforest and pristine white-sand beaches. Located on the Central Pacific coast near the town of Quepos, it offers exceptionally high biodiversity, including all four of Costa Rica's monkey species and both types of sloths.

Previously called Little Stirrup Cay, Coco Cay is now a private island owned by Royal Caribbean International. The resort offers exclusive activities and relaxation for their cruise line passengers.

Playa Mantas is a tranquil, family-friendly beach located on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, approximately 15 minutes north of Jacó. Known for its calm, turquoise waters and gentle waves, it is considered one of the best spots for swimming with young children in an area otherwise dominated by surf-heavy beaches.

Playa Mantas is a tranquil, family-friendly beach located on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast, approximately 15 minutes north of Jacó. Known for its calm, turquoise waters and gentle waves, it is considered one of the best spots for swimming with young children in an area otherwise dominated by surf-heavy beaches.

Located on the southeast tip of the Nicoya Peninsula, the Curu Wildlife Refuge is known for its pristine, white-sand beaches and impressive variety of species ranging from monkeys to sand crabs. In total the refuge covers 3,707 total acres and 656 feet of coastline. Travelers to the Curu Wildlife Refuge will quickly notice that they are in the minority at the site, with only a few people in the area among the abundance of animals and sea creatures. All of your senses will be captivated by this overwhelming amount of wildlife at the reserve, which offers some of the best eco-tourism in Costa Rica. Curu officially received support from the Costa Rican government to protect its wildlife in 1981 and the area officially became known as the Curu Wildlife Refuge in 1983. Today, the refuge is privately owned, extremely-well cared for and even more exclusive than many of the national parks in the country. If you're looking to participate in some of the vast eco-tourism opportunities in Costa Rica, the refuge should be a top priority because of its exclusivity and the ability of visitors to personally interact with the diverse animal population. The refuge also features 17 peaceful trails, where travellers can check out this abundant wildlife in a number of different ecosystems, including mangrove swamps and both dry and wet tropical forests.

Cedros Island (Isla de Cedros), the fourth-largest island in Mexico, is a rugged and mountainous destination off the western coast of the Baja California peninsula. Often called "Mexico's Fantasy Island" by anglers, it is world-renowned for its sportfishing, particularly for yellowtail, trophy-sized calico bass, and white seabass.

Cedros Island (Isla de Cedros), the fourth-largest island in Mexico, is a rugged and mountainous destination off the western coast of the Baja California peninsula. Often called "Mexico's Fantasy Island" by anglers, it is world-renowned for its sportfishing, particularly for yellowtail, trophy-sized calico bass, and white seabass.

This town is not on the Nicoya Peninsula, but rather on Costa Rica's mainland. It is best known as a cruise-ship port and launching pad for ferries heading southeast to the coast of the Nicoya Peninsula and for cruises sailing out on the Gulf of Nicoya. Puntarenas is also a major fishing port with a lively fish market. The town’s reputation suffers from the unimpressive parts you see from your car as you roll through town on the way to the ferry dock. But the town has a lot of character off the main drag, thanks to its illustrious past as an affluent port town and principal vacation spot for San José's wealthy, who arrived by train in the last century. Once the port was moved and roads opened to other beaches, Puntarenas's economy crashed, but it's making a comeback. Sitting on a narrow spit of sand—punta de arenas literally means "point of sand"—that protrudes into the Gulf of Nicoya, the town boasts a beautifully groomed, wide Blue Flag beach with views of the Nicoya Peninsula and spectacular sunsets, along with a public swimming pool, the San Lucas Beach Club, and a marine-life museum. Ticos arrive by bus and car to enjoy the beach and stroll the Paseo de los Turistas, a beachfront promenade lined with tree-shaded concrete benches and seafood restaurants. Crowds of locals, called porteños, cruise by on bicycles, the town’s most popular form of transport.