Puntarenas to Quepos Travel Information and Travel Guide - Costa Rica

Puntarenas to Quepos

Puntarenas to Quepos Overview
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Introducing Puntarenas to Quepos

The northern stretch of the central Pacific coastline was initially developed in the colonial era as a gateway for commodity exports. For much of the 19th and 20th centuries, goods such as coffee were hauled by ox cart from the highlands down the Pacific slope and then shipped off around Cape Horn to Europe. Although the maritime business is still bustling, the proximity of the region to San José and the Central Valley means something much more important to your average Tico – convenient beach access.

Heading from north to south, Puntarenas is of interest to travelers heading to the Península de Nicoya by ferry, while the beaches stretching south to Jacó and beyond offer some of the most consistent surf breaks in the country. This stretch of the pacific is also home to Parque Nacional Carara, which is a great place for spotting crocodile and scarlet macaw.

Last updated: Mar 2, 2009