Sights in Central Pacific Coast
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Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio
Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio was declared a national park in 1972, preserving it (with just minutes to spare) from being bulldozed and razed to make room for a coastal development project. Although Manuel Antonio was enlarged to its present-day size of 16 sq km in 2000, it is still the country’s second-smallest national park. Space remains a premium, and as this is one of Central America’s top tourist destinations, you’re going to have to break free from the camera-clicking tour groups and actively seek out your own idyllic spot of sand.
With that said, Manuel Antonio is absolutely stunning, and on a good day, at the right time, it’s easy to convince yourself that…
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Playa Hermosa
The waves that pound the long Playa Hermosa (10km/6.2mi) are among the most consistent in the world, which means that just about any day, any time, there'll be a wave here waiting for you to thrash. Only 5km (3mi) south of Jacó, Playa Hermosa is fronted by hotels and cabinas, though development here is relatively low-key. Note that this beach can only be recommended to advanced surfers as the huge waves and strong rip tides are unforgiving.
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Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park
The Turu Ba Ri Tropical Park is a collection of botanical gardens reflecting each of the topographic zones native to Costa Rica. As you walk along impeccably manicured trails, you’ll pass through palm forests, pasture lands, herbariums, cactus fields, bamboo groves, bromeliad gardens, orchid beds and a loma canopy. The gardens are accessed by an aerial cable car, which is included in the price of admission.
If you’re an adrenaline junkie, there is also a canopy tour (adult/child US$55/40) that has you swinging through the trees, as well as opportunities for horseback riding and rock climbing. If you’re traveling with the little ones, they’ll be content for hours either …
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Playa Esterillos
Playa Esterillos is a deserted beach, with a few good surf spots, that's relatively undiscovered and little visited. Unfortunately, however, the building craze is looming, and the 'Condos For Sale' billboards on the sides of the road is a frustrating sign of things to come. In the meantime, however, Esterillos is very much an off-the-beaten path destination, and a great place to enjoy a few waves all to yourself.
This area can be a little confusing to navigate as there are three towns with access to the beach - Esterillos Oeste, Esterillos Centro and Esterillos Este. These towns are all off the Costaneara, southeast of Jacó. Most surfers camp underneath the trees at the n…
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Playa Espadilla
There’s a good beach, Playa Espadilla, near the entrance to the Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio, though you need to be wary of rip currents. There are some lifeguards working at this beach, though not at the other beaches in the area.
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Fincas Naturales
Belonging to Hotel Sí Como No and situated just across the street is this private rainforest preserve and butterfly garden. About three dozen species of butterfly are bred here. The garden has a sound-and-light show at night (US$35 per person) and is surrounded by nature trails.
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Puntarenas Marine Park
This marine park has an aquarium that showcases manta rays and other creatures from the Pacific. The park sits on the site of the old train station and has a tiny splash pool, snack bar, gift shop and information center.
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Museo Histórico Marino
This museum describes the history of Puntarenas through audiovisual presentations, old photos and artifacts.
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La Casa de la Cultura
La Casa de la Cultura has an art gallery with occasional exhibits as well as a performance space offering seasonal cultural events.
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Turtle Trap
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Parque Nacional Carara
Straddling the transition between the dry forests of Costa Rica’s northwest and the sodden rainforests of the southern Pacific lowlands, this national park is a biological melting pot of the two. Acacias intermingle with strangler figs, and cacti with deciduous kapok trees, creating heterogeneity of habitats with a blend of wildlife to match. The significance of this national park cannot be understated – surrounded by a sea of cultivation and livestock, it is one of the few areas in the transition zone where wildlife finds sanctuary.
Carara is also the famed home to one of Costa Rica’s most charismatic bird species, namely the scarlet macaw. While catching a glimpse o…
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Parque Reptilandia
A worthwhile diversion is the aptly named Parque Reptilandia, also located 10km outside of Dominical in the town of Platanillo. If you’re traveling with kids who love slick and slimy reptiles, or you yourself just can’t get enough of these prehistoric creatures, don’t miss the chance to get face to face with Costa Rica’s most famous reptiles. The animal park is home to everything from alligators and crocodiles to turtles and poison-dart frogs. Of course, our favorite section is the viper section, home to such infamous critters as the deadly fer-de-lance. For an added bonus, stop by on Friday for feeding time – we promise you won’t be disappointed.
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Centro Turístico Cataratas Nauyaca
Just north of the turnoff for Dominical is the junction for San Isidro – if you turn left toward San Isidro and travel for about 10km, you’ll see an entrance to the right that leads to this tourist center. This Costa Rican family–owned and operated tourist center is home to a series of wonderful waterfalls that cascade through a protected reserve of both primary and secondary forest.
There’s no vehicle access to this tourist center, but you can hire horses for a guided ride to two waterfalls that plunge into a deep swimming hole. With advance notice, a tour can be arranged, including the guided ride, swimming and country meals with the local family. Tours leave at 8…
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La Playita
At the far western end of Playa Espadilla, beyond a rocky headland (wear sandals), is this gay beach frequented primarily by young men and offering nude sunbathing (use lashings of sunscreen). This point is inaccessible one hour before and after the high tide, so time your walk well or you’ll get cut off. Don’t be fooled – you do not need to pay to use the beaches as they’re outside the park.
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