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Puntarenas,
Costa Rica
Our house is in El Cocal, (formerly Antiqua Bar Zancu) a residential neighborhood in
Puntarenas, a port city on the Central Pacific coast. It is on a narrow part of the
Puntarenas peninsula where there is only enough room for "the high road" along
the ocean and "the low road" which runs along the estuary, which begins at the
Costa Rica Yacht Club. Our house is located on the left side of "the low road"
before you get to the soccer field. The ocean is a block away across the main road.
A little bit of history. Puntarenas peninsula is 3 miles (5 KM) long, but barely five
blocks wide. Jutting into the Golfo de Nicoya at the tip of a pencil thin peninsula, it
makes an ideal springboard for maritime leaps to Nicoya by Tambor Ferry or for a day long
trip to Isla Tortuga. Worth the day trip to go to the Isla Tortuga island. Puntarenas
traces back to 1524 and was founded by Fernandez de Cordova. In time it became a major
port to coffee export, but a gradual demise set in after the completion of the Atlantic
Railroad in 1890. Josefinos of modest means flock to Puntarenas for sunbathing for the
seven miles of unbroken beach from Boca de Barrranca to the tip of the peninsula. Cruise
ships come in twice a week to the Paseo de las Turistas, but most folks bypass the town
and go on canopies tours, etc. The Paseo de las Turistas boulevard makes an intriging walk
along the gulf shore.
GETTING THERE
Both international airports in Costa Rica - San Jose (SJO) and Liberia (LIR) - are about
two hours away from Puntarenas. Delta, Continental, US Air and American fly to San Jose.
Delta, Continental and Vacation Express fly to Liberia. Vacation Express is a Charter/Tour
airline, but will book "air only" depending on availability. Vacation Express
may be best bet for a one week trip. Flying times are good.
From the airport to house:
1. Rental Car - Close to airport and easy pickup after arrival. The car rental agencies
will pick you up at airport and taxi you over to the rental car agency. It is highly
recommended to rent a car if you want to travel and explore Costa Rica to its fullest. One
word of caution, good idea to get full coverage insurance. Also, important depending on
rainy season or otherwise, 4 wheel drive is probably best way to go.
2. Arrangements can be made to have someone meet you at the airport. Cost is $75 -$100.
3. Taxi on your own. Fare from either Liberia or San Jose should be $100 -$125. Set the
price before you leave the airport.
4. Buses from San Jose. Buses go every hour or so from San Jose. (Not the airport). Cost
for bus is about 1500 colones (about $3.00 US) but must be paid in Costa Rican colones.
Cab fare from airport to the bus station will cost about $10 (you can pay in dollars or
colones). Returning from Puntarenas to the San Jose airport, the bus will drop you off at
the airport.
5. They are working on train travel. Completion date is still undetermined.
THE HOUSE
The house is equipped with two full size beds and one twin bed. Can accommodate more with
blow up beds. There are two showers, one upstairs and one downstairs. There is plenty of
room.
The house has a CD player and a small library, but no TV or telephone (see below under
"Communications"). Music selection is primarily Mellow Rock and some Country, so
bring your own CD's if the above is not your thing. There is an electronic dart board for
front room. The book selection includes novels, short story collections, books on Costa
Rican wildlife and reference books (Costa Rican bird book, Spanish-English dictionary,
guidebooks, etc). You can see a variety of birds, including magnificent frigates, herons
aand egrets on the estuary and hummingbirds and parrots on top of our roof. You can also
watch people from the roof top or in front of the house.
The house has no air conditioning, but is equipped with overhead ceiling fans in each room
that keep it comfortable inside the house. We like to sit on roof and have coffee in the
morning and watch parrots fly over. Keys for upstairs are in the house to unlock both
doors upstairs. Kitchen is equipped with a refrigerator, electric coffee pot, coffee mugs,
drinking glasses, dishes and utensils, 2 burner hotplate and griddle. Laundry can be
washed in washing machine and clothes line in laundry room to hang clothes.
Amenities can be a manicure/pedicure or a massage at the house. Very inexpensive by US
standards.
Manicure/pedicure: Mary Cruz, 661-0226 (can speak to Christian at Portobella Hotel across
the street if interested);
THE NEIGHBORHOOD
Food and Drink (including alcoholic beverages) for the house can be bought at the Mar Y
Mar Mini Super a few blocks from the house, located on the main road going toward
Puntarenas. If you plan to make meals, you may prefer to shop in town (see below under
"central market"). For breakfast, lunch or supper, Porto Bello Hotel and
Restaurant across street has good food with great view. (Closed on Mondays).
The Porto Bello Hotel has a lovely tropical setting with a swimming pool. Non-guests can
pay a small fee to use the pool for the day (or sit and drink a lot of ice cold Imperial
cervezas) and they'll probably let you swim for free. Nice place, any time of the day.
Cachimentas is a family owned and operated bar which serves bocas(Tico appetizers)and is a
5-10 minute walk west toward town. Good neighborhood bar. Karoke at night.
On the main road about two blocks from Mar Y Mar, you will find an internet cafe and
travel agency and a gym. We have been told gym has closed, but will confirm next time in
Costa Rica. It's not fancy, but it does have free weights, weight machines and stationary
bicycles. Cost per week was 2000 colones.
Puntarenas is one long beach and part of it is just across the main road from the house.
When it is not high tide, you can walk on the beach for miles in both directions, take a
dip or sunbathe. We estimated that it is approximately 3 miles to Paseo De Los Turista
(downtown).
PUNTARENAS
Cabs are cheap and plentiful and cost 1400-1600 colones to downtown. Buses go every 10
minutes or so along the main road to central Puntarenas for 185-265 colones.
Most have prices posted on the front windshield. Drivers give change, but best to use
coins (not bills). To get to bus stop, go left, parallel to the soccer field, where you
see a sign (parada de autobus). Most bus routes end in centro town.
The centro market houses meat shops, seafood shops, banks, pharmacies, post office,
bakeries and fruits and vegetables dealers. It also has eateries where you can fill up on
typical Costa Rican food (rice and beans plus chicken, fish or meat) for very little.
The central beach front extends about 3 miles with a parallel walkway (paseo de las
turistas) going from the pier to the tip of the peninsula. Plenty of restaurants and bars
along the way. Also, we like a Costa Rican bar and restaurant called Chevals (a sign
outside shows Happy Day Bar). Great ceviche and cold beers as well.
You can eat along the beach, at the market, at any number of Tico (Costa Rican)
restaurants scattered around town or at one of Puntarenas' numerous Chinese restaurants.
There is a great restaurant in town that makes the best egg rolls we've ever had. Many
specialize in fresh out of the sea prepared food.
The cathedral is worth visitng and it won't take long (if it is unlocked). From the pier,
it is two blocks north (toward the estuary) and three blocks west toward the point. From
the market, 2 blocks south and 4 blocks west.
There are casinos at the Yadran Hotel, near the tip of the peninsula, and the Hotel Tioga,
both on the Paseo de los Turistas. And also at the Fiesta Hotel which is on the edge of
Puntarenas in town of Barranca. Let Puntarenas be the home base for the places that you
want to visit. Costa Rica is pretty easy to get around if you just make sure you know town
to town where you want to go. Other pages show places of interest that we have been to and
would highly suggest seeing. We also have someone that can be a guide to some great places
over on the Gulf of Nicoya. You won't be able to do it all, but do your homework before
going down and plan on places that you would like to visit so you can get the most out of
your trip.
For more information or if interested in renting please call 502.592.7573.
For more info on Costa Rica: www.insidecostarica.com or www.amcostarica.com |
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