Beach and Nature Close to San Jose

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Other amenities of the area include saltwater sport fishing (Costa Rica fishing vacation, anyone?), horseback riding, river tours for viewing water birds (and maybe crocodiles close by), boat tours to an island in the Golf of Nicoya, the new Puntarenas Marine Park aquarium in the city of Puntarenas featuring small but quality exhibits of the local marine life, a forest canopy gondola ride at the Turu Ba Ri tropical park, and more.

This interesting and varied area offers a lot to visitors and has the advantage of being relatively close to San José, so its numerous amenities can be enjoyed all the sooner after one's arrival to Costa Rica!

The Region and Its Climate

The Central Pacific Lowlands stretch from the port city of Puntarenas south to the Quepos area and east to the mountain foothills. This region is a transition zone between the lowlands of the dry north Pacific and the humid southwestern sections of Costa Rica. It has a warm "summer" climate and a long dry season that begins in late November or early December and continues into late April. This region is only a 2 to 3½ hour drive from the international airport and San José area (the starting points for most vacationers) and offers a great variety of attractions including forests, beaches, beach resort hotels, adventure tours and more. At the southern end of the central Pacific area is Manuel Antonio National Park, which is covered in more detail under favorite destinations..

The region's centerpiece-and primary destination for naturalists or visitors interested in ecotourism in Costa Rica-is Carara National Park, which is covered in more detail under favorite destinations. This 11,000 acre park is best known for its resident populations of American crocodiles and scarlet macaws. Carara protects the last large stand of old-growth transition forest in Costa Rica.

Many visitors stop on the bridge over the Tarcoles River at the northern boundary of the park to look at the American crocodiles basking along the river's embankments. From this safe vantage point two to nearly three dozen crocodiles may be seen, ranging from small youngsters to massive and impressive "monsters." Most of the time they remain motionless absorbing heat and resting, however they sometimes suddenly lash out, jostling for space with a neighbor, and reveal their capacity for speed and power. There are usually water birds feeding (seemingly unconcerned) near the crocodiles at the water's edge.

Other Attractions in the Central Pacific Lowlands

In addition to the many wonders found at Carara National Park, the central Pacific lowlands offer many other attractions. Driving south from Puntarenas along the coastal highway will reveal scenic vistas along an undulating coastline. The journey is a mosaic of wide pastures where Brahma breeds of beef cattle graze, remote sandy beaches and rocky shores where waves break eternally in bright sprays of white foam, frigate birds and flocks of pelicans gliding gracefully above the ocean along the coast, and surfers trying their luck offshore.

Only a two-hour drive away, Jacó is the nearest beach to San José and popular with surfers. Along this coast are a number of good surfing spots that will buff up your Costa Rica surfing vacation.

The town of Jacó is a popular beach town. In the last 15 years many new restaurants, hotels, gift shops and "discos" (bars with music) have been established. Once a small, simple community favored by beachgoers for sun, surf and fun, the town has grown considerably becoming more upscale and offering everything from budget to very attractive accommodations. While the center of town continues to have an active nightlife (at night its always the weekend), the outer sections of town are quieter.

North of Jacó are the Los Sueños Hotel of the Marriot chain with its own golf course, numerous swimming pools and marina, and the Villa Caletas hotel on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean featuring a "horizon" swimming pool and restaurant that overlook nothing but sky and ocean. The vista is stunning. For naturalists, we recommend the hotel Villa Lapas. Dozens of bird species can be seen around the property, it is close to Carara National Park, and now has a new bridge & trail walk through the forest offering attractive scenery and superb birding early in the morning or late in the afternoon.

The Central Pacific lowlands region is just about due west of San Jose along major highways. It features the excellent beachtown of Jaco that might anchor your Costa Rica surfing vacation. If you are interested in a bird watching or nature tour of Costa Rica, you must include the Carara National Park.

l  Caribbean Lowlands l Mountains l Southwest Pacific l NW Pacific lCentral Pacific l Central Valley - San Jose l