Puntarenas

Puntarenas is a port city on Costa Rica's Central Pacific Coast.

Understand
Puntarenas (from "punta arenas" or "sand point") is largest city in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica. The city sits on a long, narrow peninsula that juts out into the Nicoya Gulf, only about four blocks at its widest. Most travelers use Puntarenas as a stepping stone, riding the ferries from Puntarenas to the Nicoya Peninsula and back. However, the city is a popular destination for Costa Ricans during holidays and the dry season. Cruise ships also frequently dock here, sending their passengers on day-long inland excursions while other passengers spend the day in Puntarenas.

Get in
Cruise ships call; ferries from Playa Naranjo and Paquera in the Nicoya Peninsula; buses from San José, Quepos (via Jacó), Monteverde.

From the airport in San José, you can take a taxi (available in front of the airport, once you leave baggage claim) to the bus depot in San José. From there, you can take a bus to Puntarenas. The trip will take a couple of hours depending on traffic and weather conditions, but its inexpensive.

Get around
Local buses leave from downtown and are relatively inexpensive. For travel to places outside of Puntarenas (e.g., Jacó, Manuel Antonio) there's a main bus station. Buses are usually on time and sometimes even leave early, so plan accordingly. Don't be surprised to see vendors on buses selling snacks and drinks.

Taxis are easily accessible and can be flagged down in the street, or you can call ahead to schedule a pick up.

Most locals ride bikes or walk. You can rent bikes from any of the bike shops at really good rates. Just make sure you keep your bike locked. Helmets may be hard to find though, so you might want to consider bringing your own. Pedestrians do not have right of way. You must ride your bike in the street (not the sidewalk), so be careful!

See

 * Mangrove Forest in the estuary above the north side of the peninsula. Crocodiles, herons, and red snappers can be found in and around the mangrove forest that grows here.  The forest can be seen from any pier on the north side of the city, and some fishermen with small boats on these piers may be able to take you for a small tour if asked and offered compensation.

Do

 * Stroll along the Paseo de los Turistas and see the many colorful shops, street vendors, and bars.
 * Walk out onto the cruise ship pier when there is no cruise ship docked. Many locals come here to drink, fish, and hang out.  A wonderful place to view stars and the small lights of distant cities.  (The cruise ship pier is temporarily closed to visitors.)
 * Visit the new public park on the end of the peninsula. Walk along the south beach until you see the large rocks that make up the sea wall, there are walkways with lights and benches on top of them.  A public basketball court, playground, and many benches are a wonderful and quiet place to watch the sunset from.
 * Take a ride on one of the inflatable banana rafts being towed by boats on the south beach. On busier beach days (holidays, cruise days, and weekends), men will offer rides on these tubes for about ₡1,000 (~US$2).  Life jackets provided.

Eat

 * Apretados- A delicious ice cream-like snack that comes in a variety of different flavors. You won't find these sold in any store, but out of the front of residents' houses, and will run you about ₡250 (US$0.50).  Holding the plastic bag in your hand, tear off a small corner with your teeth and suck out the melting apretado.
 * Granizados dos Leches- This sweet, cold snack is similar to a snow-cone, but with a little something extra. Wait on the beach for a cart pushing vendor, and order a Granizado dos Leches in Kola (fruit punch), Chicle (bubblegum), or Naranja (orange) flavor.  Shaved ice with powdered and condensed milk, served with a spoon and straw.  Costs about ₡800-1000 (~US$2).
 * Granizados dos Leches- This sweet, cold snack is similar to a snow-cone, but with a little something extra. Wait on the beach for a cart pushing vendor, and order a Granizado dos Leches in Kola (fruit punch), Chicle (bubblegum), or Naranja (orange) flavor.  Shaved ice with powdered and condensed milk, served with a spoon and straw.  Costs about ₡800-1000 (~US$2).