Puntarenas Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Puntarenas, Costa Rica)

Tourists will soon notice that the city of Puntarenas isn't over-endowed with conventional visitor attractions such as historic and heritage buildings, vast mansions and palaces, or even a quaint but small old quarter.

As with much of Costa Rica, the most acknowledged tourist attractions around Puntarenas come in the guise of surrounding natural beauty and rich regional biodiversity. One of the Pacific coast's advantages is its range of ten offshore islands, most of which are underdeveloped and all of which are pollution-free. Pleasure cruises around these outlying islands and the Bahia Gigante are especially popular.

La Casa de la Cultura

Address: Avenida Central, Between Calle 3 and Calle 5, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, CR
Tel: +506 2839 8303
As its name suggests, this is the cultural centre of Puntarenas, although it was actually once the local prison. Information about the city and province's history and heritage, plus cultural events and concerts, are all found here in this leading attraction. Photography exhibitions detailing the town's history are regularly shown and the building itself is of interest. The most important function of La Casa de la Cultura, however, is as a community centre for local people. The next door Museo Historico Marino (Marine History Museum) is also likely to be of interest, so be sure to allocate enough time for both.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 16:00
Admission: free

Pacific Marine Park

Address: Avenida Central, Between Calle 8 and Calle 10, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, CR
Tel: +506 2661 1394
Set two blocks back from the main harbour terminal, this small aquarium features almost 30 tanks, each with a selection of local Pacific marine life - including some giant manta rays. The largest tank recreates the marine environment of the Isla de Coco. An aquarium set in the main exhibit hall is given over entirely to sharks, although the outdoor crocodile and turtle exhibits are perhaps not quite as entertaining. The Pacific Marine Park, also known as the Puntarenas Marine Park, is one of the city's biggest family orientated tourist attractions and lies on the eastern side of the centre, between Calle 8 and Calle 10, near to the Hotel Cabezas.
Open hours: Tuesday to Sunday - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discounts for children under 12 years old

Tourist's Stroll / Tourist Boulevard (Paseo de los Turistas)

Address: Paseo de los Turistas, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, CR
A wander along this seaside boardwalk is a trip back to the 1950s, with Art Deco relics in need of a coat of paint rubbing shoulders with concrete monstrosities and old wooden homes. Street vendors sell delicious seafood dishes, particularly around the eastern end - where cruise ships regularly arrive, while the views at sunset are great. The Paseo de los Turistas is certainly a very pleasant place to explore during daytime, but best avoided late at night.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Sport Fishing

Address: Puntarenas, Costa Rica, CR
Although Puntarenas isn't a major sport-fishing destination, charter boats are available on a daily or longer basis for offshore fishing expeditions along the coast. Deep-sea fishing here is mainly for blue fin tuna, marlin, snapper and mackerel, with sizeable specimens not being uncommon. Fishing cruises usually take place between 32 km / 20 miles and 50 km / 31 miles (nautical) offshore. In general, the price will depend upon the number of passengers and anglers, as well as the length of the trip. Hire of the necessary angling equipment and bait is included in the price.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Soccer Stadium (Estadio de Futbol / Estadio Municipal de Puntarenas Miguel Angel 'Lito' Pérez Treacy)

Address: Avenida 2, Between Calle 15 and Calle 17, Puntarenas, Costa Rica, CR
The centrally located Estadio Lito Pérez is a leading multi-purpose stadium, affectionally known by locals as the Olla Magica. Previously known as the Estadio Municipal de Puntarenas and renamed in the 1970s after local soccer champion Lito Perez, this is principally a football stadium, being the official home ground of the Puntarenas Futbol Club and regularly hosting seasonal games for the Union de Clubes de Futbol de la Primera Division. The stadium first opened in 1958 and can currently accommodate just over 4,000 spectators, being widely regarded to be one of the best of its kind in the whole of Central America.
Open hours: hours vary according to event
Admission: charge