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Puntarenas, Gulf of Nicoya

Puntarenas is a narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya on the Central Pacific Coast. The seaside resort I must say I was very curious about Puntarenas and very disappointed…

Destinations, Costa Rica, Latin America, Road trips, Travel Styles

Puntarenas is a narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya on the Central Pacific Coast.

The seaside resort

I must say I was very curious about Puntarenas and very disappointed when I got there. The only thing I liked in this peninsula is beautiful view of the nearest islands. Basically it’s a place of expensive seaside resort full of hotels and souvenir shops. It’s absolutely not my style! 

We paid 20$ for the most terrible room I have ever seen during my travels! It was even funny – but I don’t think it would be possible to fall asleep sober 🙂

Our flat

We had to go through the whole flat, few rooms and a small kitchen to get on the back of the house to find our room. The walls were made from cardboard so you could hear every sound coming from the other part of the house. 

The most fanny moment was when half of the people in the house started watching TV and the other half was snoring. Instead of a door lock in our room there was a heavy chain. What is typical in Costa Rica there would be around 100 TV channels available in every accommodation, even when the TV was manufactured last century 🙂

Things to do in Puntarenas?

The beach of Puntarenas is quite long and wide with dark sand. The port town of Puntarenas was one of the most important cargo ports. Now is remains an important port for cruise ships and important fishing port as well. 

It’s nice to take a boat trip from the beach for dolphins watching. It costs only 4 $ and it’s an opportunity to see beautiful dolphins in the gulf. I think it’s the only attraction to experience over there. At first I didn’t want to believe we are actually see dolphins but they are there. Don’t miss the pelicans! They look amazing. The view of the whole Gulf of Nicoya is just stunning.

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Puntarenas is a narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya on the Central Pacific Coast.

The seaside resort

I must say I was very curious about Puntarenas and very disappointed when I got there. The only thing I liked in this peninsula is beautiful view of the nearest islands. Basically it’s a place of expensive seaside resort full of hotels and souvenir shops. It’s absolutely not my style! 

We paid 20$ for the most terrible room I have ever seen during my travels! It was even funny – but I don’t think it would be possible to fall asleep sober 🙂

Our flat

We had to go through the whole flat, few rooms and a small kitchen to get on the back of the house to find our room. The walls were made from cardboard so you could hear every sound coming from the other part of the house. 

The most fanny moment was when half of the people in the house started watching TV and the other half was snoring. Instead of a door lock in our room there was a heavy chain. What is typical in Costa Rica there would be around 100 TV channels available in every accommodation, even when the TV was manufactured last century 🙂

Things to do in Puntarenas?

The beach of Puntarenas is quite long and wide with dark sand. The port town of Puntarenas was one of the most important cargo ports. Now is remains an important port for cruise ships and important fishing port as well. 

It’s nice to take a boat trip from the beach for dolphins watching. It costs only 4 $ and it’s an opportunity to see beautiful dolphins in the gulf. I think it’s the only attraction to experience over there. At first I didn’t want to believe we are actually see dolphins but they are there. Don’t miss the pelicans! They look amazing. The view of the whole Gulf of Nicoya is just stunning.

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23 September 2026
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22 September 2026
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I share a great passion for volcano hiking, mountain climbing and reportage photography. I travel the freestyle way, reaching the most remote locations on the planet on solo adventures. My blog aims to inspire with outrageous but affordable travel & hiking itineraries to anywhere in the world, so everyone can craft their wildest adventurous dream trip! Traveling is freedom, allowing you to see the true world, meet communities, and grow. Taste it!