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Costa Rica's Central Pacific Overview

The Central Pacific has three main cities in which all the tourist flock: Quepos, Jacó and Puntarenas. These are well developed for tourism. The region also includes the islands in the Gulf of Nicoya, which are mainly accessible from Puntarenas.

The region’s main attractions are along the coast and include the protected wilderness. The coast is made up of many beautiful beaches, several of which are less than two hours from San José. The Central Pacific Coast of Costa Rica has encompasses wildlife refuges, national parks and biological preserves. Many are drawn to this area for it's culture and recreational events - especially sporting and surfing events. Also worthy of note is the scenic beauty along the coastal highway which connects the Caldera area with the Quepos and Manuel Antonio region.

Jacó Beach
It is one of the most visited beaches of the country. Jacó offers one of the most extensive tourist attractions in Costa Rica. With it's ever growing new hotels, restaurants, enthusiastic nightlife and surfing tournaments. Shaped in a horse shoe, its 7 mile-long beach is bordered by scenic mountains. Although a favorite activity, tourist should swim with caution. There are unpredicted strong currents which make it great for surfing. Visitors can enjoy the stroll along the beach, horseback-ride along the surf and up the mountain to a great spot overlooking the area; rent mountain bikes, scooters, or ATVs, or have a turn around a go-cart track. Boating and water activaties such as diving, kayaking, sport fishing are a must! Boat travel is possible from Jacó to a nearby beach favored by surfers, Playa Escondida.

Punta Leona Beaches
These two beaches are separated by a point called Punta Leona. The first is known as Playa Mantas and the second, more scenic beach is called Playa Blanca. Both are located in a private biological preserve containing much fauna and wildlife. These beaches are ideal for swimming, sunbathing and walking.

Playa Herradura
Forming a bay of lush tropical vegetation, this beach is aptly named “Horseshoe Beach” after the shape of its shoreline. Hills at either end of the beach add to the beauty of the landscape. At the north end of the beach is the Los Sueños Marina. More than 200 luxury sport fishing yachts anchor in its waters, and guests can also take advantage of charter companies that offer trips out to sea. Several famous sport fishing events are also held yearly in the Marina. On the south side, Isla Herradura is a natural refuge for several seabird species. Playa Herradura is great for swimming and various watersports. Camping facilities are available, drawing national tourism to the beach.

Town of Quepos
The town of Quepos is the seat of the Aguirre County. The city offers a variety of accommodation, dining and recreational options, as well as spectacular scenery of the coast. Its wharf serves as a departure point for sport-fishing and recreational boat trips. Quepos is the name of the tribe that inhabited the area before the conquest, and according to researchers, it comes from the word “Quepa,” which means “rain.” The region is rainy and hot most of the year, as it is located just five meters above sea level. Quepos is no longer used as a port for exportation, but it is used significantly by scores of boaters, especially fishermen. Quepos is one of the best spots for world-class sport fishing. Restaurants, souvenirs shops, surf stores and bars are part of the attractions to enjoy while walking around the town.

Manuel Antonio National Park
Manuel Antonio National Park’s 683 hectares boast some of the country’s most varied and breathtaking scenery. Surrounded by lush, very wet tropical forest, the park’s trails offer sightings of white-faced monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoons, iguanas, many bird species, as well as the Costa Rican squirrel monkey (Titi monkey). Endemic to Manuel Antonio, it is found only in a few parts of the world. Unfortunatly endangered, at last count these monkeys numbered only 1,500.

The park protects many types of flora native to tropical rainforest, including cedar, bully trees, mosses, ferns, flowers, cow tree and silk cotton tree. The variety of fauna is easy to observe almost everywhere. Be alert - anything could be watching you from atop the trees. White-faced, squirrel and howler monkeys, iguanas, raccoons, grey squirrels, sloths, pelicans, jacanas, laughing falcons, black-collared hawks, white ibis, green kingfisher and many others are all hidden somewhere in the forest. The lagoons are the home of many reptiles including caymans, lizards and snakes, including the boa constrictor.

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Bus Schedules:  San Jose - Jaco Beach - Manuel Antonio - Quepos

 

Central Pacific Links:	National Park	Weather
Places to Stay	Manuel Antonio	Jaco
Things to Do	Manuel Antonio	Jaco
Places to Eat	Manuel Antonio	Jaco

 

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