Blessed with seemingly endless beaches, Puntarenas stretches along two-thirds of the country's Pacific coast to the southern border with Panamá. The ever popular Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most beautiful in the country, and a south Pacific paradise. The dense rich green jungle of Corcovado National Park stands as an unspoiled showcase of tropical nature.

The private Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is one of the richest in the world. Straddling the Continental Divide, this is the only known home of the very rare golden toad. Carara Biological Reserve protects a transitional zone and harbors an incredible variety of wildlife including the larges population in the country of the endangered scarlet macaw.

Puntarenas is the name of a Costa Rican, as well as port city located on the Pacific Coast and covers and extensive amount of territory with alabaster sand beaches. It's the largest Province of Costa Rica and its located 75 miles (120 km) west of San Jose. Puntarenas means “Sandy Point”. It is a long narrow sand spit that is an extension of the Nicoya Peninsula and juts out into the Gulf of Nicoya, only two blocks wide at its narrowest point. To the south is the open end of the Nicoya Peninsula with mild surf hitting the beach, which can be crossed by taking a ferry. On the north is an estuary with mangrove swaps, important to wildlife and fisheries. Buses depart daily from San Jose, leaving every 40 minutes but they can get horribly crowded.

You can also charter and air -taxi to Chacarita Airport, east of the town of Puntarenas, but there are no scheduled services. Puntarenas has suffered some economic stagnation but is recovering due to the current tourist boom. Being Costa Rica ’s most important fishing port, Puntarenas is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood: shrimp scampi, fried fish, Corvina ceviche and more dishes that will be a treat to your taste buds. Port Caldera which is located 10 miles (16 km) south of Puntarenas has become the most important port of call for major cruise liners, which may explain why real estate investments here have become more lucrative.

The Principal attractions are on the Pacific coast itself. The islands located in the Nicoya Peninsula are within the boundaries of this province as well as part of the Tilaran and Talamanca Mountain Ranges. Puntarenas is the country's most important fishing port. The town of Puntarenas has a lovely old church and several pleasant restaurants with good food. During high season you can enjoy good, inexpensive plays and concerts at the “Casa de la Cultura ”.Along the ocean side of downtown is the famous “Paseo de los Turistas ”, a three - lined street and promenade adjoining the beach with soda stands and several hotels. The ocean here isn't as clean as in remote areas. It's not recommended for swimming. Several hotels face the beach and they have pools. Some deluxe hotels are facing the estuary, and there are cabins ranging from basic to deluxe accommodations. Reservations must be made during the high season. The hotels are usually noted by their food, and there are is also small inexpensive Chinese, pizza, and seafood restaurants throughout the city.