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INTER-AMERICAN HIGHWAY
Highway 1, Pan American Highway is Costa Rica's umbilical cord to get around Costa Rica.
It is a magnificient drive with great views. Keep your camera close. Side roads lead to
national parks and wildlife reserves. The highway is mostly a fast two-laner;
arrow-straight stretches for miles, tempting motorists to speed. Don't do it! Traffic cops
sit beneath the shade trees with radar guns just waiting to catch speedsters. Other
caveats, beware of potholes (although the roads get better each time we are down there)
and oncoming cars that tend to swerve into your lane at inopportune moments and big semis
or buses slowing down traffic. There are some tico rules on driving in Costa Rica and
important to know what they are.
DAY TRIPS - PLAYA DONA ANA
Playa Dona Ana is a pleasant beach located a few miles south of Puntarenas and is
accessible by bus or taxi. There is a bar/restaurant and changing rooms. Admission charge.
PLAYA NARANJO/PAQUERA
Ferry boats leave from near the point of Puntarenas peninsula several times a day and take
about two hours to Playa Naranjo on the Nicoya peninsula. Just the trip is worth it for
the experience of your fellow passengers and views of the Gulf of Nicoya. The ferry has
snacks and drinks and there are restaurants near the Playa Naranjo ferry terminal.
- The Oasis del Pacifico is a hotel about a 15 minute walk from the ferry. Whether it is
still operating is uncertain. Located on the beach, it has a restaurant, is nicely
landscaped, has wild birds and pet birds, iguanas and howler monkeys on occasion. If
operating, you can pay around $5 to use the facilities (pool and showers) for the day.
CALYPSO BOAT TOUR
In the Gulf of Nicoya a catamaran takes you to Tortuga Island for a day of swimming,
sunning and snorkeling, as well as views of the Gulf. The price of $99 includes lunch,
snorkel gear and bus transportation from San Jose, but you can join the cruise at the
Calypso pier in Puntarenas. Drinks and snacks on the boat are extra. Worth the price if
that is your thing. www.calypsotours.com
CARARA NATIONAL PARK
Is 45 minutes to one hour by car or taxi from Puntarenas (Luis can arrange for taxis to
wait or return for your at a set time). Also accessible by bus since the entrance is on
the main road. But the best trail is a kilometer or so from where you buy your ticket. It
is a rain forest in the transition zone between the dry northern and wetter southern zones
with an abundance of vegetation and wildlife, including scarlet macaws, toucans and
white-faced monkeys. There are three trails and guides are available. Boot rentals
available if needed. Not sure of admission cost.
http://www.costaricabureau.com/nationalparks/carara.htm
CANOPY TOURS
They come in different forms;
1) You are strapped onto lines and "zip" from platform to platform in the
treetops. The one nearest Puntarenas is in Miramar, a town in the mountains overlooking
the ocean. 30 minute hike to beatiful waterfalls. (Marlon or Leilani can guide, if
interested). http://www.finca-daniel.com
2) Go across suspension catwalks in the treetops.
3) In gondolas. The Pacific Aerial Tram is near Jaco, which is an hour or more south of
Puntarenas. (You have to pay $55 entry fee to the park, but the canopy tour is included).
MONTEVERDE CLOUD FOREST RESERVE
Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve is high in the mountains so at least take something with
long sleeves. It is a private preserve with hiking trails and a large variety of flora and
fauna. Possibility of seeing a quetzal and much more. A guided tour cost $15 per person in
January 2006 and was worth it. The guides have good eyes and carry spotting scopes to
focus on the birds in the trees. The Santa Elena Cloud Forest Preserve is nearby and not
as crowded. For both preserves and more about the area, check out
http://www.monteverdeinfo.com. Can also visit the Monteverde community, settled by
American Quakers and known for its cheese.
By car or taxi, can reach Monteverde from Puntarenas via Tilarian and Santa Elena. Last
part of the drive is over very rough roads (as is often the case in Costa Rica). Also,
buses from Puntarenas to Tilarian, then to Santa Elena and by taxi to Monteverde, but
definitely an overnight trip.
ARENAL VOLCANO
Arenal Volcano is an active one. Best to stay overnight if you want to see the fire. The
fire is erratic and the peak is often covered in clouds, especially in the rainy season.
Luis has a day tour that goes through Canas to Tilarian around Lake Arenal to La Fortuna.
Stops on the way, can include butterfly farm / botanical garden with pet toucans and other
interesting birds and the hot springs heated by the volcano.
La Fortuna has an excellent view of Arenal and some interesting shops. The return trip can
be across the mountains with some breathtaking views to San Ramon and then to Puntarenas.
Can also be done by bus, but definitely an overnight trip.
JACO BEACH
Jaco Beach is a town an hour or more by car or taxi from Puntarenas and is noted for its
extensive white sand beach and surfing. There are turn offs to a number of smaller beaches
both before and after Jaco. One of these beaches is Herrudura, the site of a Mariott
resort hotel (Los Suenos), a world class marina and million dollar condos.
QUEPOS
Quepos is a small city on the Pacific, south of Puntarenas - about two hours by car or 3
1/2 hours by bus. Although relatively over-developed as a tourist sight and full of Gringo
residents, it is well worth a visit for several reasons:
1) Manuel Antonio National Park - a slice of tropical rain forest right on the ocean where
you can see monkeys and slothes and a variety of other fauna.
http://www.costaricabureau.com/nationalparks/manuel.htm
2) The scenic white sand beaches, some in the Park and some outside (with restaurants,
shops and lodging close by
3) Sportfishing.
For more info on Costa Rica: www.insidecostarica.com www.amcostarica.com |
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