General Details

Area: 11,276 sq.km.

Capital: Puntarenas

Distance from San Jose: 130 kms

Climate: Hot, average temperature 28 C

Altitude: Sea level.

Puntarenas is the largest province. The principal attractions are on the Pacific coast itself. The islands located in the Gulf of Nicoya are within the boundaries of this province, as well as parts of the Tilaran and Talamanca Mountain Ranges. Puerto Caldera, located 16 km south of the city of Puntarenas, has become the most important Pacific port of call for some of the major cruise liners.

Tourist Attractions: Manuel Antonio National Park, Jaco Beach, Cabo Blanco Strict Nature Reserve, Cao Island Biological Reserve, Islands in the Gulf (Guayabo, Negritos, Pajaros Biological Reserves), Corcovado National Park.


Web Sites

El Paraiso Language School - http://www.elparaisoschool.com/ - Features academic credit and programs, programs and prices, enrollment information.

Tropical American Tree Farms - http://tatf.com/ - Grows tropical hardwoods and offers contract farming. Describes economics of production, uses of hardwoods, and conservation projects.


Real Estate Web Sites

Best Tropics Estates - http://www.besttropics.com/ - Construction and sales of condominiums.

Century 21 Tambor Hills - http://tamborhills.com/ - Features property information, maps, investment calculator, and testimonials.

Costa Rica Limited - http://www.costaricaltd.com/ - Offers lots at a development project. Includes example floor plans, furnishings, community news and staff profile.

Discovery Hills - http://www.discoveryhillscr.com/ - Specializing in properties on the Osa Peninsula, with listings and area info.

Happy Whale - http://www.happywhale.com/ - Realty office at Punta Uvita offers properties in the southern Pacific region of Costa Rica and Panama.

Hermosa Paradise - http://www.hermosaparadise.com/ - Development of gated community with luxury beach homes. Information on available lots, house and bungalow plans.

Hills of Portalon Estates - http://www.hillsofportalon.com/ - Planned residential development with stable and trails. Provides photos, descriptions, and lot maps.

Kiana Resorts - http://www.kianaresorts.com/ - Development selling lots, villas and rental units. Includes a description of the property and investment opportunity.

Land Assurance - http://www.landassurance.com/ - Offers real estate services, specializing in reforestation properties in the Dominical area. Describes available sites, and company experience.

Osa Land Office - http://www.osapeninsula.com/ - Offers opportunities for land purchase, with information about buying and owning, investment and development.

Pacific Land Company - http://www.pacificlandcompany.net/ - Lists properties for sale and rent, with area information.

Pavones Properties Ltda - http://www.pavonesrealestate.com/ - Listings and contact info.

Pura Osa - http://www.puraosa.com/ - Information on typical construction, transactions in the country, and local ecology.

Quepos Realty - http://www.queposrealty.com/ - Offers property listings and legal services.


Tourism

Amor de Mar - http://www.amordemar.com/ - Small beachfront hotel. Includes photos, descriptions, and rates.

AparHotel Vista Pacifico - http://www.vistapacifico.com/ - Features kitchenettes and private pool. Includes photos. floor plans, and rates.

Arco Iris Lodge - http://www.arcoirislodge.com/ - Located near the village of Santa Elena de Monteverde, right in the middle of two important highland forest preserves.

Aventura de la Montaña - http://www.aventuramontana.com/ - Offers cabinas, dorms and camping at a 130 acre private reserve. Near San Josecito Uvita.

Banana Tree Hotel - http://bananatreehotel.com/ - Photos, rates, and links to natural attractions and Spanish-language schools.

Hotel Best Western Kamuk - http://www.kamuk.co.cr/ - With casino, restaurant, and pool. Describes facilities and local activities.

Cabinas Alma - http://www.cabinasalma.com/ - Offers eight rooms, dining room, pool and yoga studio. Includes photos and area activities.

Cabinas la Tranquilidad - http://www.cabinaslatranquilidad.com/ - Beachfront hotel offering three air conditioned cabins with swimming pool.

Cabinas Los Cocos - http://www.loscocos.com/ - Private beachfront cabins, with decks, hammocks, and kitchens. Activities include river tours, boating and kayaking.

Cabinas Mira Olas - http://www.miraolas.com/ - Secluded cabins with kitchens. Describes area activities, photo gallery and rates.

Cabinas Pedro Miguel - http://www.cabinaspedromiguel.com/ - Small rustic family hotel, with pool and restaurant. Includes description of rooms and photos.

Canopy Safari - http://canopysafari.com/ - Description of the canopy course, restaurant, and transportation info. Includes a list of guides and virtual tour.

Casa de Frutas - http://www.casadefrutas.com/ - Luxury villa with three suites, located in a gated resort.

Casa don Tomas - http://www.casadontomas.com/ - Beachfront two bedroom, two bath house with air conditioning, TV, telephone. Includes list of amenities, directions and rates.

Casa Punta Banco - http://www.costaricacpb.com/ - Offers an open air tropical house overlooking a Pacific beach. Located on a rainforest reserve in the far southern zone.

Coloso Del Mar - http://www.coloso-del-mar.com/ - Offers beachfront cabinas, a garden house or a tent on the beach. Includes restaurant, area activities and rates.

Costa Paraiso Lodge - http://www.costaparaisodominical.com/ - Beach front casitas with air conditioning and cooking facilities. Includes photos and reservation form.

Costa Rica Luxury Rentals - http://www.crluxury.com/ - Rentals of units within Los Sueños Resort and Marina. Includes photos and descriptions of available properties.

Diuwak Hotel and Beach Resort - http://www.diuwak.com/ - Description of cabins and bungalows, packages and rates, and information on tours to local attractions. [English/Spanish/German]

Diquis del Sur - http://www.diquiscostarica.com/ - Offers rooms with air conditioning and kitchenettes, mountain or ocean views. Includes a map and description of area attractions.

Drake Bay Rainforest Chalet - http://www.drakebayholiday.com/ - Photos of vacation rental home and description of amenities, rates and reservations, and information on area activities.

El Aguila Mayor Nature Tours - http://www.aguilamayor.com/ - Transportation, snacks and experienced guides for a variety of natural attractions.

El Jardin Tortuga - http://www.theturtlesgarden.com/ - Offers three camping cabins in a jungle setting, with restaurant, photos and rates.

Funky Monkey Lodge - http://www.funky-monkey-lodge.com/ - Bungalows on the surf beach Playa Santa Teresa, with a sushi bar. Includes photos of waves, information on nearby attractions, and rates.

Golfo Dulce Lodge - http://www.golfodulcelodge.com/ - Remote lodge on a 750 acre biological reserve, accessible only by boat. Offers rooms and bungalows with restaurant and pool at the beach.

Hotel Balcon del Mar - http://www.hotelbalcondelmar.com/ - Offers standard rooms or apartments, with swimming pool, restaurant and tour desk.

[url]Hotel Club del Mar - http://www.clubdelmarcostarica.com/[/url] - Beachfront hotel and casitas. Gives photos, rates, and information on water activities.

Hotel Cocal and Casino - http://www.hotelcocalandcasino.com/ - Luxury beachfront accommodations.

Hotel El Byblos - http://www.bybloshotel.com/ - Resort and casino offers 17 Bungalows and junior suites featuring private balconies overlooking the Pacific Ocean and resort gardens.

Hotel El Mono Feliz - http://www.elmonofeliz.com/ - Cabanas and rooms with private or shared baths, shared kitchen, and pool. Rates and information on activities in the area.

Hotel Karahe - http://www.karahe.com/ - Beachfront establishment offers rooms and villas, with pool and restaurant. Includes photos of grounds. [English/Spanish/Russian]

Hotel La Isla - http://www.laislahotel.com/ - Rooms with air conditioning, or apartments, with restaurant and pool. Includes area attractions, rates and contact information.

Hotel Moana Lodge - http://www.moanalodge.com/ - African-style bungalows near the beach, with communal kitchen. Features photos of facilities and past guests. [English/French]

Hotel Parador - http://www.hotelparador.com/ - Meeting facilities, pool, spa, and nature trails, located close to the ocean and to adventure tourism activities. [English/Spanish]

Hotel Poseidon - http://www.hotel-poseidon.com/ - 14 room hotel 75 yards from beach, pool, swim-up pool bar, A/C and restaurant.

Hotel Punta Leona - http://www.hotelpuntaleona.com/ - Located on private tropical rainforest, featuring beaches, guided nature walks, wildlife, and sightseeing daytrips.

Hotel Surf The Place - http://www.theplacemalpais.com/ - Bungalows and rancho, with restaurant and bar. Photos of rooms and grounds, with nearby surfing spots.

Hotel Villas el Parque - http://www.hotelvillaselparque.com/ - A villa rental at Manuel Antonio, Quepos, with information on its location, facilities, activities, rates and reservation.

Hotel Villas Gaia - http://www.villasgaia.com/ - Twelve separate bungalows, restaurant and pool near Playa Tortuga. Descriptions of area parks and tours, prices and reservations.

Iguana Lodge - http://www.iguanalodge.com/ - Playa Plantanares. Lodge, rental house, and hotel with restaurant. Describes accommodations, travel arrangements, and packages for weddings or groups.

Iguana Tours - http://www.iguanatours.com/ - Specialized in Manuel Antonio area, offers rafting, hikes to the national park, sea kayaking and other tours in this area.

Issimo Suites - http://www.issimosuites.com/ - Offers eight luxury suites with pool, cafe, movie night and private shuttle.

Jungle House - http://www.junglehouse.com/ - Offers rooms in the main house or private bungalows at the beach, photos, rates and area tours.

La Casa de Tierra - http://www.lacasadetierra.com/ - Vacation rental of a two-bedroom house on a large estate, near the ocean. Photos, descriptions, rates, and online reservations.

La Colina Lodge - http://www.lacolinalodge.com/ - Formerly known as the Flor Mar. Description of amenities, photos, rates, and map and travel information.

La Choza del Manglar - http://manglares.com/ - Cabinas near the beach. Describes location, facilities, and surrounding natural attractions. [English/Spanish]

La Mariposa Hotel - http://www.hotelmariposa.com/ - Offers accommodations in tropical gardens on the Pacific Coast. Contains contact information, rates, and description of facilities.

La Paloma Lodge - http://www.lapalomalodge.com/ - Set on a high bluff overlooking the Pacific Ocean and nearby Caño Island. 12 landscaped acres and surrounded by dense tropical rain forest.

Mango Moon - http://www.mangomoon.net/ - Near the beach, offers suites, tours and honeymoon packages.

Mar de Luz - http://www.mardeluz.com/ - Apartments with kitchenettes and AC. Includes information about area tours, photo gallery and rates.

Mimo's Hotel - http://www.mimoshotel.com/ - Offers ten rooms and an apartment, kitchenettes, pool and restaurant.

Nidia Lodge - http://www.nidialodge.com/ - Offering rooms, restaurant and a massage spa, rates and reservations.

Oasis on the Beach - http://www.oasisonthebeach.com/ - Beachfront cabinas and restaurant. Includes a profile of the owners and description of amenities.

Pete's Place - http://www.petesplacemanuelantonio.com/ - Offers two houses for rent with swimming pool and fully furnished. Information on rates and area activities.

Pirate Cove - http://www.piratecovecostarica.com/ - All-inclusive cabins and suites, with diving and horseback riding. Includes photos of facilities and information on package rates.

Poor Man's Paradise - http://www.mypoormansparadise.com/ - Offers lodging in cabins, ranchos or tents. Includes description of area tours and activities.

Playa Zancudo - http://www.zancudo.com/ - The site features links to Sol Y Mar rental cabins and house, restaurant, and general information about the area.

Quepos Hot Springs Lodge - http://www.queposhotsprings.com/ - Damas. Eight rooms and restaurant near the river. Information on area tours, photo gallery, rates and reservations.

Rafiki Safari Lodge - http://rafikisafari.com/ - A luxury tent camp on a 750 acre reserve. Offers a variety of activities, lodging and a photo gallery.

Rio Lindo Resort - http://www.riolindo.com/ - Ten ocean view rooms with pool, restaurant and bar. Also offers surf lessons, kayak and horse tours.

Rio Sierpe Lodge - http://www.riosierpelodge.com/ - Offers fourteen rooms in a remote lodge with dining room, library, and covered dock. Includes information about area excursions, rates and reservations.

Roca Verde - http://www.rocaverde.net/ - Hotel and restaurant on the beach, offers sea kayaking and other area tours.

Santa Teresa Surf Camp - http://costaricasurfcamp.net/ - Offers private beachfront cabins or sheltered hammocks and tent camping. Includes information about surf school and Spanish lessons.

Selvatura Park - http://www.selvatura.com/ - Offers canopy and treetop tours, a butterfly garden and education center. Includes descriptions, photos and rates.

Sky Mountain - http://www.canopycostarica.com/ - Canopy tour, zip lines, and horseback riding located at Parrita in the Creando Naturaleza Ecological Reserve.

Sotavento Platanal - http://www.sotaventoplantanal.com/ - Offers rustic lodging and deluxe camping on a 100 acre beachfront property at Punta Banco. Fully furnished with kitchens, satellite TV and hot water.

Star Mountain Eco Resort - http://www.starmountaineco.com/ - A rustic pueblo situated on a 216 acre property.

Stay In Costa Rica - http://www.stayincostarica.com/ - Property management company offers properties at Los Suenos. Includes details of accommodations, activities, prices and contact information.

Tambor Tropical - http://www.tambortropical.com/ - Small country village setting offers suites on the Pacific Ocean; shelling, fishing, diving and jungle horseback tours.

Tango Mar - http://www.tangomar.com/ - Located on a 150-acre private beachfront reserve, offering the exclusivity of a small beach resort and country club.

The Pelican Hotel - http://www.pelicanbeachfronthotel.com/ - Beach front, with nine rooms with air conditioning and a restaurant.

Sunset Reef - http://www.sunsetreefhotel.com/ - 14 rooms with AC, restaurant and pool. Includes area info and reservations.

Villa La Macha - http://www.villalamacha.com/ - Luxurious, tranquil 5BR/5BA vacation rental sited directly over the Pacific Ocean. Secluded rain forest location. Fully staffed and equipped.

Villas Mymosa - http://www.villasmymosa.com/ - Condominiums with ocean and mountain views, and swimming pool. Rates, photos at site.

Villas Rio Mar - http://www.villasriomar.com/ - With restaurant and swimming pool, specializing in wedding packages. Includes rates, nearby attractions, and legal requirements for marriage for foreigners.

Viva las Villas - http://www.vivalasvillas.com/ - Photos and descriptions of available properties, with information on area activities and rental policies.

The beaches of Herradura, Jaco, Hermosa, Manuel Antonio, Matapalo are the most popular. Costa Rica, paradise awaits!