This region of Costa Rica extends from the city of Puntarenas to the mouth of the river Baru, in the area known as Dominical de Osa has three major cities of interest and tourism development. These cities are Quepos, Jacó and Puntarenas, tree big cities with a lot of attractions for the tourist.
In the central Pacific of Costa Rica there are also islands of the Gulf of Nicoya, since access to them is achieved mainly from the city of Puntarenas. These islands are very beautiful and are blessed with a unique natural richness, for that reason is the perfect place for the practice of diving.
The central Pacific Costa Rica is a region with a humid and rainy climate; therefore, the beaches and the hills closest to the shore have a greater biodiversity. There are, therefore, tropical forests, dry tropical forest and transition tropical rain forest. These ecosystems are the habitat for many species of plants and animals that are protected in several wilderness areas. Also is included in this area of Costa Rica are the Cocos Island, this far island is located nearly 600 kilometers from the port of Puntarenas, but jurisdictionally belongs to the province.
The Central Pacific is hosting beautiful beaches that are located near the capital city. Among the best known are Punta Leona, Playa Jacó, Herradura, Manuel Antonio National Park and Playa Dominical in Costa Rica. These beaches enjoy a very hot and humid climate, with a bright sun from December to April and warm water all year. Hills covered with evergreen forests, are very common in the area. Some things that have made Manuel Antonio one of the favorites place for tourists are its white sand beaches, cliffs, rivers, rain forests, varied fauna and hot weather.
In their forest there are some species of mammals like the white face monkeys, the Congo monkeys, the marmosets, two and three fingers sloths and many species of birds. Punta Catedral, the bay of Puerto Escondido and the beautiful blue-green water beaches represent some of the biggest attractions of this park. The path that leads from the Central Valley of Costa Rica to this area runs trough very diverse landscapes ranging from pasture for livestock, crocodiles in the river Grande de Tárcoles to oil palm plantations in the city of Parrita.
The town of Jacó is at 7 meters altitude above sea level and has a wide beach that allows the enjoyment of the sun and the sea. The proximity to the city of San Jose ranked this place among the most visited by tourists, both Costa Ricans and foreigners. It has one of the most extensive and diverse range of tourist services in Costa Rica. Jaco Beach is a curvilinear beach about 4 kilometers in length, bounded by hills on both ends. The swimmers have to be cautious, because the strong currents. The practice of surfing is one of the favorite activities that can be enjoyed in this beach. You can hike, practice horseback riding, hire mountain bikes, use the tracks of mini-cars (go-car) and the scooters (scooters). You can travel from Jacó in boat to Playa Escondida, a place well known among surfers.
The Palo Verde National Park is located in the Guanacaste Province of Costa Rica, between the rivers Bebedero and Tempisque, about 30 km west of the town of Cañas. It was created through an executive decree on December 20, 1982. It covers an area of 16,804 hectares. The Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica is formed by a group of diverse habitats of flood plains, bounded by rivers and by a row of limestone hills. This area is subject to seasonal flooding of great magnitude. During the rainy season and due to little natural drainage of the plain, the area is flooded by the combined effect of the rain, tides and floods along the rivers of Tempisque and Bebedero. On some occasions, the entire area becomes a huge lagoon.
Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica is one of the places of greatest ecological diversity of the country; there are approximately 15 habitats that are created by the topography, soil conditions, including drainage, the overflow of rivers and the effect of the tides. Among these habitats in Costa Rica are brackish and fresh water lagoons and marshes, with mangrove full of grass, mangrove forests, grasslands with plants like chumico de palo or raspaguacal, tropical forest of the lowlands, mixed forest of deciduous woodlands, drowned forests and evergreen forests.
One of the most conspicuous and that gives its name to the place is the Palo Verde, a bush of leaves, branches and the trunk light green, which is found both in the swamps and in other habitats. Among the larger trees are the espavel, the ciba, the pochote, rom-rom, cibo barrigón, the guayabón, the Javillo, the cocobolo, the nispero and panama. In the marshes can be seen species of aquatic plants such as Tifa, the trista and the grass gamalote and the Platanilla. In the hills abounds the cardones an endemic specie of Costa Rica; there is also the real guayacán tree of precious wood and in grave danger of extinction.
The natural water system of Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica creates the right conditions to be produced in the area, the largest concentration of the country and Central America of aquatic birds resident and migratory. From September to March, thousands of herons, garzones, egrets, grebes, ibis, ducks and water cockerels are concentrated in the lakes and nearby areas to feed and reproduce. The birds observed both aquatic and terrestrial, added 279 species, although that number could climb to 300, as at least 40 other species have been observed in neighboring places. The isla Pajaros, located on 2.3 acres in front of the park, is extremely important to have the country’s largest colony of the martinete coroninegro and for being a nesting area for the ibis morito, the duck needle, the pink heron, the garzon, the real heron and the Cattle egret.
In the Palo Verde National Park in Costa Rica, nestle a bird called the Galan sin Ventura, endangered species and the only remaining population of red macaws in the dry Pacific. Some of the most abundant mammals are the howler monkeys, the white faced monkey, the pizotes, deer, red squirrels, coyotes and the porcupines. In the Tempisque crocodiles have been observed for up to five meters.
–Casa Country Barrio Cerrado, Barrio Privado Inmobiliaria - Venta y Alquiler Anual de Casas, Lotes y Terrenos en Barrio Cerrado, Barrio Privado y Country de Pilar, Nordelta, Tigre, Escobar, Tortuguitas, del Viso, Benavidez, Zona Norte - Casa Temporada–
Bird-watching in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica can be enjoyed in various public and private protected areas, including Negritos, Birds, Cape Blanco, Carara and Curú, as well as other fine spots. The tours to see birds in the Pacific almost always remain the central Pacific coast, passing close to beaches as Dominical, Manuel Antonio and Jaco. These tours often stop on the road, because it is a real treasure for bird lovers. In the dry forest of the National Park Carara can be seen over 400 species of birds. In this area you can see the famous red macaw, the Martinete Coroninegro, Martinete Ladle and Osprey.
On the beaches in this part of Costa Rica there are hundreds of Chorlitejos and Agujeta Silbona. In the forest we can see Saltarin, Tucan, Atrapamoscas Real, Pava, Icterido and Batará. With more this high quantity of species of birds recorded, there is no doubt about the great potential of the Carara National Park. The tourists that love the observation of exotic birds as well as experts in ornithology will appreciate the richness of the park. This is confirmed by the testimonies of the visitors and the affirmations of media and publishing entities such as Discovery Channel, National Geographic and the National Audubon Society.
The bird watching in this zone of Costa Rica will take to other areas of the central Pacific, near the hotels and into the mangroves of the Tárcoles River. Near the mouth of the Tárcoles River there is a valuable ecosystem which is inhabited by numerous species of animals among which you can see over 200 species of birds inhabit the area, including the red macaws that at the sunset addresses there to stay overnight.Near the region of San Gerardo de Dota in Costa Rica, there is a tour with a duration of 2 hours and it begins with an early morning walk when you can see quetzals and some of the 175 species identified in the area. Among the services that this tour includes, there is the presence of a bilingual guide, in addition to that, the tour is recommended for all ages. Binoculars are recommended, walking shoes, rain coat and a book of birds.
Other tours in Costa Rica will take you towards the beautiful province of Guanacaste. In the valley of the Tempisque River you will arrive at the Palo Verde Biological Station. The region of Palo Verde has one of the most preserved dry forests in the region and it contains the highest presence of birds in Central America. The swamps around the reservation are the place where more than 60 different species of marine birds find their food. In Costa Rica the Cerceta Aliazul and the Porrón Acollarado can be seen by thousands here. Other species very common are the hummingbirds, Chipes, Icteridos, Tarangas, Hawks and Owls. In total have been counted more than 300 species of birds. The tours can be done by foot and with a boat on the river Tempisque with their small islands full of birds.
The Caribbean coast is a place to visit while you are on a tour around Costa Rica. It is quite different from the Pacific as it is more exotic and closer to the tropics. Because of the storms produced in the Caribbean and the coral reefs there are produced strong perfect waves. It is always better to go to surf alongside the people who know the area. In addition to incredible waves, the Caribbean offers good food, excellent cultural and happy people ready to enjoy the party. Here are the best places for surfing in the Caribbean of Costa Rica:
Manzanillo In Costa Rica
Is located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve, 20 km south of Puerto Viejo. The north end of this beach has a fast break but in the extreme south there is virtually no surf, because is heavily protected by a large coral reef.
There is not much surfing on this beach compared with other places, but it is near Puerto Viejo and is a great place to hang out at the beach and practice other activities. The road from Puerto Viejo is unpaved, but a 4WD is not necessary. There are restaurants and bars that serve good food at good prices.
Puerto Viejo Surf
Puerto Viejo is an area where it is practiced an excellent surfing and is better known for having the largest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, “Salsa Brava” ..
The waves usually have very sharp breaks rights in addition to a tubular form that will provide you with a short but sweet trip. Puerto Viejo is about 4 hours by car from San Jose and is a beautiful Caribbean village with a lot of reggae music and rich seafood.
Surfing in Cahuita Costa Rica
It has an excellent beach break, but is not well known and therefore not very used to surfing. However, there are decent waves throughout the year. Cahuita is near the main road to Puerto Viejo, about 2 km north of the entrance to the Cahuita National Park, one of the most beautiful places in Costa Rica.
Westfalia Beach breack
This is a stretch of beach breaks from Limon to Cahuita that offers breaks left and right that tend to shut down when the tide is very strong.
Uvita Beach - Costa Rica
It is an island off the coast of Limon. There is a perfect, but dangerous wave that breaks over a reef. The island is about 20 minutes by boat from Limon with passage available only at certain times of year.
Playa Bonita In Costa Rica
It is a beach with a point / reef break known to be very big, powerful and dangerous, which breaks down to the left. The access can be done by an easy trip to the coast of Limon.
The Central Pacific of Costa Rica extends along on the west coast from Puntarenas until the beautiful beach of Dominical, a region that holds a lot of beaches surrounded by palm trees in front of a warm blue sea and sheltered by mountains and valleys covered with a lush forest.
The sailing tours through the waters of the Central Pacific of Costa Rica offer a spectacular journey filled with adventure for any tourist who wants to experience them. Usually, the visits start in a bus that takes you to the port of Puntarenas, a starting point for reaching the most beautiful beaches of the Pacific of Costa Rica. Once aboard the yacht or catamaran you can sail between some of the 23 islands in the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya where you can see dolphins, sea turtles and sea birds in their natural environment. During these tours the crews of the ships would be devoted to properly care for you serving food and drinks very delicious.
A tourist destination that is highly sought in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica to conduct tours of navigation, is the trip to Turtle Island that is particularly delightful for its beauty and is known for its immaculate white sand and turquoise waters. Turtle Island is the perfect place to swim, dive and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. During most of the visits you can enjoy a refreshing drink under the shade of white umbrellas at tables covered by white tablecloths, while the crew is serving a feast.
Another highly recommended destination in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica is the environs of Manuel Antonio. Your adventure aboard a classic yacht begins when you browse the picturesque coast, passing through the beautiful beaches and islands near the Manuel Antonio National Park. To use the time during the “green season” the sailing tours usually takes usually half-day trip and during the dry season which may last a little more. As the boat glides silently under the sail, you probably can see beautiful dolphins that often swim in the bow of the boat following the trail that leaves in its path.
The sailing tours to the Caño Island in Costa Rica will allow you to explore the beautiful reef that is located near this island that has great beauty. You can also walk through evergreen forests on a path that will allow you to view a lush rainforest and artifacts left behind by pre-Columbian Indians who used the island as an ancient graveyard. You will also see some of the mysterious spheres of granite that can be found only in Costa Rica mainly in the Pacific of Costa Rica. Anthropologists still do not find a satisfactory explanation of why these people built these spheres.
As you can see the sailing tours in the Central Pacific of Costa Rica offer something for every taste in addition to a great adventure to observe the nature of this beautiful area of the country.