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