Stretching along Costa Rica’s Pacific coast, Puntarenas offers more than just sandy shores. This historic port town once served as the country’s main gateway for coffee exports in the 19th century. Today, visitors can stroll along streets that echo stories of maritime trade and explore how Puntarenas helped shape Costa Rica's economic identity.

Offshore, the Gulf of Nicoya teems with biodiversity and adventure. Day trips to Isla Tortuga offer snorkeling among angelfish, rays, and sea turtles in crystal-clear waters. For those wanting something quieter, a boat ride through the mangroves of the Guacalillo Estuary reveals crocodiles, herons, and a rare look at the scarlet macaw’s habitat. Unlike busier coastal destinations, Puntarenas invites travelers to engage with its surroundings at a slower, more immersive pace.

Culture in Puntarenas has deep local roots. Every February, the city bursts into celebration during the "Carnaval de Puntarenas," a week-long festival of parades, live music, and colorful street food vendors. Traditional dishes like vigorón are easy to find at roadside sodas or at the central market. For dessert, travelers shouldn’t miss the “Churchill,” a unique local treat made from shaved ice, syrup, powdered milk, and condensed milk, first created in the 1940s and named after a British businessman who frequently ordered it.