Central Pacific Region
The Central Pacific Region has long been a favorite destination for those traveling to Costa Rica. it's spectacular beaches, amazing weather, world class waves, top notch amenities and ease of access from San Jose and other areas of the country give it the well deserved title.
The Paseo de los Turistas located in the town of Puntarenas is an ocean front boulevard that comes alive on the weekends and a great place to enjoy Costa Rican culture. Enjoy authentic Costa Rican dishes, lively music and storefront shops as you stroll along the boulevard. Street parties with cultural themes are common and make a wonderful way for visitors to join in the festivities.
Carara Biological Reserve is a favorite spot for bird watching and those who love hiking in the rainforest. The open canopy and miles of trails afford many opportunities to see the amazing wildlife of Costa Rica and makes a fabulous opportunity to pack a lunch and find a remote place off the beaten path to experience your own memories to take home with you.
Boasting the highest concentration of American Crocodiles and over 50 species of birds, Tarcoles is a main attraction in the Region and should be included in your travel plans. This area is best known as a birdwatchers paradise, and you are likely to see many species in the area on one visit.
Take a day to sail the open ocean on a fishing charter, jump on a tour boat to enjoy whale watching or one of the amazing scuba diving trips out of Herredura or Quepos. Whales appear seasonally in Costa Rica from August thru October and are a favorite tour among visitors not having access to any aquatic life back home. Even if your travel plans are different seasons, the aquatic life that you can see as well as viewing Costa Rica's mountainous silhouette from the ocean is amazing.
Come eye to eye with monkeys, sloths and other creatures in Manuel Antonio National Park. This is one of the most impressive areas of Costa Rica and known for its breathtaking sights of mountainous backdrops against pristine shorelines. Great restaurants, bars, casinos and shopping are all available in Manuel Antonio. Your choices are endless with accommodations ranging from Luxury Resorts to Eco-Lodges. Use our Accommodations tab to find the perfect spot to spend time in gorgeous Manuel Antonio.
Relax on the beach all day then party all night in the well known and popular beach front town of Playa Jaco. Jaco is a large tourist town with plenty of sights and loads of fun just waiting for your appearance. Play a round of golf at a luxurious resort or rent a boat from the marina and schedule your own private party on the ocean. Shopping till you drop is easily accomplished in Jaco with the wide variety of boutiques, specialty shops and souvenir shops to be made on the main thoroughfare. Fine dining or casual meals are within walking distance of many accommodations offered in and around lively Playa Jaco!
Main Attractions / Towns
| Carara Biological Reserve | Esterillos | Isla del Coco | Manuel Antonio |
| Manuel Antonio National Park | Playa Hermosa | Playa Herredura | Playa Jaco |
| Puntarenas | Quepos | Tarcoles |
Whether you are looking for an all inclusive resort, a boutique hotel or beach front villa, our accommodation page will guide you to the perfect place to get perfectly relaxed during your Costa Rica vacation.
Getting Around
There are many options to choose from when traveling around the Central Pacific Region. Taxis are everywhere and the bus system runs between destinations and attractions daily. Ask your hotel if they provide free transfers or transportation.
Where to go from here
The central location of the region means that you can get to virtually any other region within a day. If you haven't experienced the beauty of the South Pacific Region and have time to explore it, this is a great choice. Take the ferry from Puntarenus to the beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula, North Pacific Region or take a break from the heat of the beaches and check out the Central Valley or the Cloud Forest Region.
From all inclusive resorts to private oceanside villas, the Central Pacific Region has a place for your Costa Rica vacation needs. National Parks, Canopy Tours, Fishing Charters, endless choices in accommodations, a wide variety of cuisine as well as some of the best known nightlife hotspots can be found in this region.
Photo contributed by: "asrusch" [Costa Rica - Crocodiles] under CC license, "puroticorico" [Sun Gleaming on the Sea] under CC license
