Apart from the
regular Ocean activities that are many including
Surfing, Skiing, Diving and Fishing, the
central pacific offers many attractions. Here is a
small sampling.
The
Marine History Museum of the City of Puntarenas
This Museum
highlights the natural beauty of the port, the
richness of its history and the charm of its
inhabitants. The way of life, which has evolved in
this pretty city of thousands of years, it’s
illustrated in the various sections on archeology,
history and natural history of this museum.
The archaeological information its presents, enables
to learn about the first settlements of Indian
groups in the region, how they obtained their food
by taking advantage of the various resources of the
region, their burial customs and the exchange and
trade relations they established. It's presents
history turning around the Gulf of Nicoya as a main
center of social and economic relations.
Tortuga Island
Take a cruise to this
little island in the Nicoya Gulf. Try the best
tropical fruits and enjoy live music on the boas.
Seagulls will accompany you on this trip. The
guide's service is excellent and you'll find out to
be pampered all the way back from your trip. On the
island you will be able to play beach volleyball,
swim in the clear water of the Pacific in the
beautiful white sand beaches surrounding the island,
take a canoe trip, sing along with the locals or
just sunbathe in the white sand beach.
Marine Park
Costa Rica's Marine
Park is the largest park of its kind south of Mexico
City. There are 28 aquariums containing some 50
different species from the pacific and legendary,
mysterious Coco's Island - a good chance to see
neon-colored prehistoric-looking sea creatures that
inhabit Costa Rica's world patrimony. Additionally,
there are interactive displays in English and
Spanish, an Internet area, a sea-themed playground,
and research area specializing in mollusks, fish,
and crustaceans.
One aim of the park is to create local jobs and to
keep tourists in Puntarenas, which has seen a
dramatic drop in tourism in the last 25 years. In
the 1970s, y man wealthy Costa Ricans built large
beach houses along the point. The park cost 4.9
million dollars for the first phase, and with two
other phases in the works the total cost could top
$10 million, which may be the most ambitious project
in ecotourism in the country's history.
Curú Wild life Refuge
A former ranch north of Tambor, despite its 84
hectares small sine, protects a wealth of wild life.
A rocky coastline marks the border of a rich marine
environment and spots of tropical dry forest are
home for armadillos, parrots, capuchin monkeys,
white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums and coyotes.
Aquatic life includes nocturnal hermit crabs, which
are very numerous on the beach and on land,
lobsters, chitons, mouthless crabs and an almost
extinct species of oyster (Ocypode occidentales).
Its a quiet place good for snorkeling and bird
watching. Camping is permitted at Curú.
Guayabo, negritos & pájaros island biological
reserve
In the Gulf of Nicoya are located these four islands
(Negritos are two). They were set aside as
biological reserves to preserve the large population
of sea birds and for the local flora and fauna.
Guayabo is a 50-meter high island, mostly composed
of sedimentary rock between 60 and 80 million years
old. Its vegetation is mostly small plants, shrubs
and thorn bushes. The wildlife is almost exclusively
made up of birds, except for some small insects and
crustaceans. Some of the birds the island is home
for are the brown pelican, frigate birds, laughing
gulls and boobies.
Pájaros Island is composed the same as Guayabo
Island and it is dome-shaped. The vegetation
consists of a low-growing forest and patches of
second-growth grass. The predominant species are
guava, crown fig and stinking toe. Resident animals
include rock oysters, crustaceans like barnacles,
and birds outcasted from other groups. In Negritos
the kind of wildlife that inhabits it are raccoons,
parrots, doves, Kermit crabs, brown pelicans and
oysters. There are some populations of dolphin tuna
and mackerel around the island as well. A medical
creeper is found in abundance here, called Monkey's
ladder. Some of the forests predominant species are
frangipani, spiny cedar and gumbo-limbo.
Tambor
Tambor has a few small
hotels as well as some of the country's best
accommodations. Here the visitors have the option of
taking excursions to nearby Tortuga Island or Curú
Wildlife Refuge; or they may as well stay and enjoy
the beach and surrounding forest. Mal País is a less
developed beach around the point from Montezuma; it
faces the open ocean and tends to have a rougher
sea. The southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula has
two small but beautiful protected areas: Curú and
Cabo Blanco; this in addition to the many beaches
and nearby islands. Between these refuges the
visitors can enjoy a wide range of habitats, from
mangrove to rain forest to lagoons and it isn't
difficult to spot many mammals and reptiles.
Montezuma
Beach
You can get there by plane from a local airline or
driving to Puntarenas and taking the ferry (1 1/2
hour trip) to Paquera, taking the main road that
takes you to this beautiful beach. A paradise of
several cultures that blend in complete harmony in
the southern Nicoya peninsula. A small town that
gives you the natural beauty of nature and
incredible beach nestled with the exuberating magic
that surrounds the place. Small stores and
restaurants to serve all your needs, and all kind of
small and luxurious hotels where you can rest. A
small jewel that you will appreciate!
Jacó Beach
Just 117 km from San José, Jacó has become one of
the most popular beach destinations in the country,
that because is one of the nearest to the capital
and it counts with a tourist infrastructure for
enjoyment. Situated on a natural environment of
extraordinary beauty is a place you must visit if
surf is your thing; big waves and rough tides made
Jacó a place for water sports. On the same taken; a
place to be very careful. It has numerous
restaurants and very good food , a lot of shopping
places; an incredible array of souvenirs, been here
a place where you can find good quality and big
variety of gifts to take back home.
But if you like action; your day can stars with
water sports, go shopping, rafting, horseback
riding, canopy, enjoy a beautiful sunset, great
dinning and staying up to late hours in a
discotheque of your choice or visiting a local bar
or trying your luck at the casino. From Jacó you can
organize tours to nearby National Parks, authentic
biodiversity labs or take a look to a big crocodile
population at Guacalillo, areas of protection and
interest. As you can see, Jacó brings the visitors a
world of surf, beach and adventure. Above all, a lot
of fun! Jacó is a busy place, come to visit, you
won't be disappointed
Hermosa Beach
About 2 miles south of Jacó is an idyllic surf
community. This is just a layback place where you
can enjoy long days at the beach waiting for the
perfect wave or watch the waves roll onto the long
black sand beach. Between July and December, this is
a good chance to see thousands of turtles emerge
from the water and lay their eggs.
Tours on horseback are available to a waterfall and
you will find snorkeling and of course surf lessons.
Surfers flock there, boards in hand, since Hermosa
regularly enjoys big waves, said to be among the
best in the country. These waves also create rip
tides, which is why swimmers shouldn't enter the
water deeper than their waist when the sea is rough.
The Marine History
Museum of the City of Puntarenas
This Museum highlights the natural beauty of the
port, the richness of its history and the charm of
its inhabitants. The way of life, which has evolved
in this pretty city of thousands of years, it’s
illustrated in the various sections on archeology,
history and natural history of this museum.
The archaeological information its presents, enables
to learn about the first settlements of Indian
groups in the region, how they obtained their food
by taking advantage of the various resources of the
region, their burial customs and the exchange and
trade relations they established. It's presents
history turning around the Gulf of Nicoya as a main
center of social and economic relations.
Tortuga Island
Take a cruise to this little island in the Nicoya
Gulf. Try the best tropical fruits and enjoy live
music on the boas. Seagulls will accompany you on
this trip. The guide's service is excellent and
you'll find out to be pampered all the way back from
your trip. On the island you will be able to play
beach volleyball, swim in the clear water of the
Pacific in the beautiful white sand beaches
surrounding the island, take a canoe trip, sing
along with the locals or just sunbathe in the white
sand beach.
Marine Park
Costa Rica's Marine
Park is the largest park of its kind south of Mexico
City. There are 28 aquariums containing some 50
different species from the pacific and legendary,
mysterious Coco's Island - a good chance to see
neon-colored prehistoric-looking sea creatures that
inhabit Costa Rica's world patrimony. Additionally,
there are interactive displays in English and
Spanish, an Internet area, a sea-themed playground,
and research area specializing in mollusks, fish,
and crustaceans.
One aim of the park is to create local jobs and to
keep tourists in Puntarenas, which has seen a
dramatic drop in tourism in the last 25 years. In
the 1970s, y man wealthy Costa Ricans built large
beach houses along the point. The park cost 4.9
million dollars for the first phase, and with two
other phases in the works the total cost could top
$10 million, which may be the most ambitious project
in ecotourism in the country's history.
Curú Wild life Refuge
A former ranch north of Tambor, despite its 84
hectares small sine, protects a wealth of wild life.
A rocky coastline marks the border of a rich marine
environment and spots of tropical dry forest are
home for armadillos, parrots, capuchin monkeys,
white-tailed deer, raccoons, opossums and coyotes.
Aquatic life includes nocturnal hermit crabs, which
are very numerous on the beach and on land,
lobsters, chitons, mouthless crabs and an almost
extinct species of oyster (Ocypode occidentales).
Its a quiet place good for snorkeling and bird
watching. Camping is permitted at Curú.
Guayabo, negritos & pájaros island biological
reserve
In the Gulf of Nicoya are located these four islands
(Negritos are two). They were set aside as
biological reserves to preserve the large population
of sea birds and for the local flora and fauna.
Guayabo is a 50-meter high island, mostly composed
of sedimentary rock between 60 and 80 million years
old. Its vegetation is mostly small plants, shrubs
and thorn bushes. The wildlife is almost exclusively
made up of birds, except for some small insects and
crustaceans. Some of the birds the island is home
for are the brown pelican, frigate birds, laughing
gulls and boobies.
Pájaros Island is composed the same as Guayabo
Island and it is dome-shaped. The vegetation
consists of a low-growing forest and patches of
second-growth grass. The predominant species are
guava, crown fig and stinking toe. Resident animals
include rock oysters, crustaceans like barnacles,
and birds outcasted from other groups. In Negritos
the kind of wildlife that inhabits it are raccoons,
parrots, doves, Kermit crabs, brown pelicans and
oysters. There are some populations of dolphin tuna
and mackerel around the island as well. A medical
creeper is found in abundance here, called Monkey's
ladder. Some of the forests predominant species are
frangipani, spiny cedar and gumbo-limbo
Tambor
Tambor has a few small
hotels as well as some of the country's best
accommodations. Here the visitors have the option of
taking excursions to nearby Tortuga Island or Curú
Wildlife Refuge; or they may as well stay and enjoy
the beach and surrounding forest. Mal País is a less
developed beach around the point from Montezuma; it
faces the open ocean and tends to have a rougher
sea. The southern part of the Nicoya Peninsula has
two small but beautiful protected areas: Curú and
Cabo Blanco; this in addition to the many beaches
and nearby islands. Between these refuges the
visitors can enjoy a wide range of habitats, from
mangrove to rain forest to lagoons and it isn't
difficult to spot many mammals and reptiles.
Montezuma Beach
You can get there by plane from a local airline or
driving to Puntarenas and taking the ferry (1 1/2
hour trip) to Paquera, taking the main road that
takes you to this beautiful beach. A paradise of
several cultures that blend in complete harmony in
the southern Nicoya peninsula. A small town that
gives you the natural beauty of nature and
incredible beach nestled with the exuberating magic
that surrounds the place. Small stores and
restaurants to serve all your needs, and all kind of
small and luxurious hotels where you can rest. A
small jewel that you will appreciate!
Jacó Beach
Just 117 km from San José, Jacó has become one of
the most popular beach destinations in the country,
that because is one of the nearest to the capital
and it counts with a tourist infrastructure for
enjoyment. Situated on a natural environment of
extraordinary beauty is a place you must visit if
surf is your thing; big waves and rough tides made
Jacó a place for water sports. On the same taken; a
place to be very careful. It has numerous
restaurants and very good food , a lot of shopping
places; an incredible array of souvenirs, been here
a place where you can find good quality and big
variety of gifts to take back home.
But if you like action; your day can stars with
water sports, go shopping, rafting, horseback
riding, canopy, enjoy a beautiful sunset, great
dinning and staying up to late hours in a
discotheque of your choice or visiting a local bar
or trying your luck at the casino. From Jacó you can
organize tours to nearby National Parks, authentic
biodiversity labs or take a look to a big crocodile
population at Guacalillo, areas of protection and
interest. As you can see, Jacó brings the visitors a
world of surf, beach and adventure. Above all, a lot
of fun! Jacó is a busy place, come to visit, you
won't be disappointed.
Hermosa Beach
About 2 miles south of Jacó is an idyllic surf
community. This is just a layback place where you
can enjoy long days at the beach waiting for the
perfect wave or watch the waves roll onto the long
black sand beach. Between July and December, this is
a good chance to see thousands of turtles emerge
from the water and lay their eggs.
Tours on horseback are available to a waterfall and
you will find snorkeling and of course surf lessons.
Surfers flock there, boards in hand, since Hermosa
regularly enjoys big waves, said to be among the
best in the country. These waves also create rip
tides, which is why swimmers shouldn't enter the
water deeper than their waist when the sea is rough.
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