Paseo de los Turistas

Puntarenas


This beachside, pedestrian boulevard stretches along the southern edge of town. Cruise ships make visits to the eastern end of the road, and a variety of souvenir stalls and casual restaurants known as kioscos are there to greet passengers. Their specialty is the Churchill, a bizarre dessert concoction of condensed milk, syrup and chopped fruit, which got its name in the 1940s from a guy who regularly ordered it and looked like the British prime minister.

On weekends, this is the place to knock back beers.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Puntarenas attractions

1. Casa de la Cultura

0.18 MILES

Casa de la Cultura has an art gallery with occasional exhibits as well as a performance space offering seasonal cultural events. Outside there's a…

3. Palacio Municipal

0.29 MILES

Built in place of the previous Municipal Palace that burned down, this rather unusual 1970s structure with jutting upper floors, designed by architect…

4. Casa Fait

0.3 MILES

Quite possibly the most beautiful building in Puntarenas, Casa Fait is a purple-and-cream clapboard 1920s colonial building, with ornate iron balconies…

5. Parque Marino del Pacífico

0.56 MILES

This retro marine park has seen better days, but it will certainly keep the kids entertained for a while. There's an aquarium showcasing many tropical…

6. Playa San Isidro

6.05 MILES

About 8km south of Puntarenas is Playa San Isidro, the first ‘real’ beach on the central Pacific coast. It's quite often empty, and preferred by…

7. Playa Doña Ana

6.67 MILES

The pair of beaches known as Playa Doña Ana are relatively undeveloped and have an isolated and unhurried feel. They are popular among Ticos on day trips…