Puntarenas Province in Costa Rica on the south Pacific coast is where the ocean and the rainforest combine to make fantastic adventures for visitors.

Up and down the coast of Puntarenas, from the Gulf of Nicoya and the end of the Nicoya Peninsula to the border of Panama, there are beaches, tropical rainforest preserves and national parks that could provide seven lifetimes worth of adventures and experiences to visitors. There are little towns off the beaten track where the preponderance of visitors come for the excellent surf found in the province of Puntarenas. The Gulf of Sweetness (Golfo Dulce), near the border of Panama, maintains a fantastic national park that has been distinguished as being one of the most biologically diverse places on the planet.

Of the national parks in Puntarenas Province, Costa Rica, there is Corcovado National Park (with an incredibly rich biodiversity as pronounced by National Geographic magazine), Palma Aceitera National Forest, Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands (a large scattering of mangroves and canals) and Parque Nacional Marino Ballena (Marine Whale National Park). The last park, Parque Nacional Marino Ballena, is indeed a place from which to observe incoming orcas, dolphins, sharks and most notably humpback whales. This aquatic national park has also been proclaimed as one of the most biologically rich locations in terms of marine life.

Puntarenas, Costa Rica, has many different modes of transportation from the Naviera Ferry, which serves the beach towns of Paquera, Puntarenas (the capital of the province) and Tambor. Nature Air and Sansa Air also fly to five different domestic airports along the Gulf of Nicoya, the Pacific Coast and into the Golfo Dulce area. There are also more than a few bus services that are in the province. Many of these bus services are the same as the ones that serve other provinces, as well.

For lodgings and hotels, you can find a large array of different kinds of accommodations. There are surf shacks in little towns away from the rush of more touristy locales that house and train incoming surfers right on the beach. There are also upscale resorts that maintain luxurious grounds, rooms and facilities. A few of the area guest houses and hotels consist of El Establo Mountain Hotel, Hotel La Mariposa, Best Western Jaco Beach All Inclusive Resort and Hotel Mar de Luz.

Capital City: Puntarenas
Places of Interest: Monteverde Cloud Forest, Santa Elena Reserve, Gulf of Nicoya
Hotels: of El Establo Mountain Hotel, Hotel La Mariposa, Best Western Jaco Beach All Inclusive Resort, Hotel Mar de Luz
National Parks: Corcovado National Park, La Amistad International Park, Los Quetzales National Park, Terraba Sierpe National Wetlands, Piedras Blancas National Park, Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve, Palma Aceitera National Forest
Beaches: Playa Pavones, Zancudo Beach, Esterillos Beach, Jaco Beach
Airports: Puerto Jimenez Domestic Airport, Golfito Domestic Airport, Tambor Domestic Airport, Quepos Domestic Airport, Drake Bay Domestic Airport

Related Read:

The Province of Limon in Costa Rica
The Province of Cartago in Costa Rica
The Province of San Jose in Costa Rica