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View of Puntarenas
Photo: Richie Diesterheft (puroticorico) · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Itineraries calling here have not been added yet. Climate, prices and access information are available as a guide.

View Caribbean & Bahamas on the mapA Pacific cruise port and gateway to nature and ecotours.

Puntarenas

Puntarenas · Costa Rica · 9.98, -84.84

A port town spread along a long sandbar projecting into the Pacific, serving as Costa Rica's Pacific cruise gateway. It is a base for nature tours to tropical rainforests, coffee plantations, and volcanoes. Ecotourism and its relaxed Central American atmosphere are major attractions.

Port highlights

About 30,000 people
Population
A tropical climate. Hot and humid year-round, with a dry season from December to April and a rainy season from May to November.
Climate
Spanish (English is also understood in tourist areas)
Language
Costa Rican colón; US dollars are also widely accepted
Currency
The dry season from December to April (many sunny days, ideal for sightseeing)
Best time to visit
Local food

Gallo pinto (mixed beans and rice), casado, ceviche, tropical fruit

Sights
Paseo de los Turistas (seaside promenade)Gateway to Manuel Antonio National ParkCrocodile and bird-watching cruise on the Tárcoles RiverCoffee plantation and volcano tour in the Central Highlands
Monthly average high / low temperatures
34°
20°Jan
35°
21°Feb
36°
21°Mar
36°
22°Apr
34°
23°May
32°
23°Jun
33°
23°Jul
33°
22°Aug
32°
22°Sep
31°
22°Oct
32°
21°Nov
33°
21°Dec

Unit: °C · Calculated from NOAA GHCN-Daily station observations · Period: 1991–2020 · Station: LIBERIA · about 103 km from port · elevation difference about 75 m · Approximate (distant station) · Last checked: Oct 4, 2026 · A guide for choosing your travel month.

Local prices for travelers
Much more expensive than Tokyo
Compared with Tokyo, Japan (median of items)182 (Tokyo = 100)

Compared with Tokyo, beer is somewhat cheaper; coffee costs about the same; water, meals and a Big Mac are much more expensive.

CRC 570.00
Water 500 ml
CRC 1,500.00
Coffee
CRC 5,500.00
Inexpensive meal
CRC 1,545.00
Local beer
CRC 3,150.00
Big Mac

Prices in Puntarenas. · Amounts in the recorded local currency. No currency conversion applied. · Last checked: Oct 2026 (partly estimated) · Sources: Shop and menu prices · The Economist, Big Mac Index (CC BY 4.0)

Getting there from Japan

SJO
Nearest airport
about 120 min
Airport to port (approx.)
C — Two or more connections
Ease of access

Access from Japan: A = direct flight / B = one connection / C = two or more connections (indicative)

Itineraries calling here

No itineraries listed yet.

Sources

Source: Wikipedia “Puntarenas” (CC BY-SA 4.0)