Official Language:
Spanish
Secondary Language:
English
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Currency:
Costa Rican Colon
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Population:
Approximately 350,000 people call Puntarenas home.
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Weather:
Climate and current weather information for Puntarenas: Costa Rica is a tropical country situated between 8 and 11 degrees above the equator. It has only two seasons: dry and green. The dry season with very little rain is generally between late December and April and the green or wet season lasts the rest of the year - May through November and still offers an average of about 5 hours of daily sunshine. The Caribbean coast doesen't have this extended dry weather and stays green all year round and due to the humidity, tends to be a little oppressive sometimes. The Central Mountainous Region is more temperate. Temperatures vary little between seasons. The main influence on temperature is altitude. San José at 1150m (3772ft) has a climate which the locals refer to as the "eternal Spring". It has simply delightful weather all year around! Average temperature ranges in San Jose are from 57-75°F/14-24°C degrees in December to 63-81°F/17-27°C in May. The coasts are much hotter, with the Caribbean averaging 70°F/21°C at night and over 86°F/30°C during the day. The Pacific side is a few degrees warmer still, but the humidity is generally less, so it tends to be more comfortable.
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Your ticket to the beautiful Costa Rica is a stop in the gateway cruise port of Puntarenas. Oddly enough, despite the often tumultuous events that surround the country, Costa Rica thrives, yet has no army. The most peaceful country in the Western Hemishpere, unlike it's neighbors, Nicaragua and Panama. It is almost impossible for cruise passengers, who arrive here from other ports in Central or South America, to not see the refreshing difference.
During the early years of Costa Rican settlement, most arrivals choose the cooler interior areas to build their villages. As a result, cruise passengers will also want to visit the country's capital city (San Jose) and popular tourist stops (Sarchi, Heredia, and Central Valley sights).
But a country that straddles both the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean — as Costa Rica does - is going to have commercial ports that convey goods to the more populated interior. This is where Puntarenas enters the picture. Like her nearby sister Puerto Caldera on the Pacific, and Puerto Limon on the Caribbean, this port also serves the growing cruise industry. Although Puntarenas offers some interesting attractions of its own, most cruise passengers are lured to the country's inland capital, parks, and preserves.
So get out your maps, open your atlas, or go online and find out more about this gateway port of Puntarenas. It's your ticket to the rich coast of Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's major Pacific port on the Gulf of Nicoya provides visitors with the opportunity for trips into Costa Rica's interior, known for its unspoiled nature and beautiful scenery.
Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy. In 1949, the army was abolished, replaced by a very efficient-looking khaki-clad Civil Guard. The literacy rate is high; Ticos, as locals are popularly called, are known for their friendly and outgoing attitude.
The capital, San Jose, lies in the Central Valley at an altitude of 3,450 feet, about a 2-2.5-hour drive from Puntarenas. Its population is estimated at over one million. Most of the colonial buildings were destroyed by earthquakes; the modern replacements are not very inspiring. The most attractive buildings include the National Theater in the heart of the city and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The general sights can easily be viewed during a quick orientation drive. The real attraction lies in the countryside, which boasts sceneries of mountain ranges, lush valleys and quaint villages. Compared to the heat and humidity of the coastal area, the Central Valley is known for its pleasant, spring-like climate for most of the year.
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Attractions |
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Puntarenas is best described as a cruise passenger's gateway to Costa Rica, but not a destination itself. There are very few tourist attractions in Puntarenas but the city itself is very busy. There are a few local beaches that are conveniently just a short distance from the pier and there is some shopping available nearby.
Puntarenas may be many things, but a “shopper’s paradise” it cannot claim to be. Because of the town’s size and its charming quaintness, there is not very much room for a large marketplace. While strolling down the street you will discover some shops, but most goods you’ll find are imported from inland Costa Rica or other ports.
San Jose
Take a two-hour ride on the Pan American highway to the capital city of Costa Rica, home to 300,000 residents. Here you will find the National Theater, the Metallic Building, the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Museum, the Serpentarium Exhibition, just a few of the attractions of this cosmopolitan city.
Sarchi
The main street of this inland town is lined with workshops and handicraft stores. This is where you'll find expertly carved wood products (the miniature ox-carts rank as must-buys) and ceramics. Some shops offer junk, some offer exquisite works of art, some offer both.
Coffee Plantations
Many insist that Costa Rican coffee is every bit as flavorful as Colombian coffee. Sip a sample and judge for yourself. You'll also learn about the lengthy process involved in the cultivation, harvesting, processing, and roasting of the treasured little coffee beans.
Carara Biological Reserve
The ride takes just over an hour, but it's well worth the wait - plus the drive itself is scenic. The climates of both the humid, coastal shores and the drier, northern Pacific areas are represented here, offering a fantastic variety of plants and animals. Knowledgeable, English-speaking guides make sure you get the most from your visit.
Poas Volcano National Park
It's believed that sacrificial rites were performed at the edge of the Botos Lagoon within the park. Picture a young maiden being tossed to her death into a 900-foot deep abyss. Although the volcano is still active, its last eruption ended in 1954. Sulphurous gas is still a danger and is carefully monitored.
Jungle Cruise
The cruise takes place near the Carara Biological Reserve. It's an estuary filled with mangroves and tropical foliage where egrets, herons, hummingbirds, pelicans, storks, and scarlet macaws far outnumber their human visitors. Though most of the tour involves a leisurely float through the mangroves, there's a short, easy walking tour on terra firma and a refreshment stop, as well.
River Raft Expedition
This is not a white water rafting adventure, but still a rather active journey for active tourists. The expedition is fully narrated as you drift and paddle past some of Costa Rica's lush landscapes. Look for the monkeys, iguanas, and parakeets as you paddle your way through. The reward for your efforts is a delicious lunch at a riverside restaurant. It's an active journey for those active tourists in search of action!
Hiking
Costa Rica's middle name is Hiking. With so many parks and reserves and such a varied terrain, this is a hiker's paradise. Most trails are well marked and offer various degrees of difficulty. Tour operators are available at the pier to provide transportation to and from the trails.
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More Information |
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Web: www.infocostarica.com/maps/cool_map_prov_pu.htm
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