Puntarenas trip planner

A major port city with a busy fish market, for most tourists Puntarenas represents little more than the launching point for ferries heading to the pleasant beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula. The easiest way to tour Puntarenas is by bicycle, which remains the area's favored form of affordable and quick transportation. Pedaling your way through town lets you soak up the local atmosphere, but a walk down the tree-shaded beachfront promenade ensures a chance to meet the residents and grab a meal at a cozy seafood restaurant. Once a popular getaway for affluent elites from the country's capital city, Puntarenas retains much of its small-town feel and serves as an ideal base for exploring other destinations on Costa Rica's Pacific coastline. Plan the details of your Puntarenas holiday and any onward adventuring with our easy-to-use Costa Rica trip site.