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City guide

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Puntarenas is a city in the Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. As the seat of the Municipality of Puntarenas canton, it is awarded the title of city, which comprises the Puntarenas, Chacarita and El Roble districts.

Type City

Why go

  • City in Costa Rica.
  • Served by Tambor Airport (TMU).

History

Puntarenas is a city in the Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. As the seat of the Municipality of Puntarenas canton, it is awarded the title of city, which comprises the Puntarenas, Chacarita and El Roble districts. As the city of the first canton of the province, it is the capital city of the Puntarenas Province as well, according to the Administrative divisions of Costa Rica.

Airports

La Fortuna Arenal Airport (FON) 61 km to the centre
La Fortuna, A, CR — Indoor waiting areas, but some gates board by bus or on foot across the apron — plan for the weather on the day. ✈ 2 airlines (LACSA, CAL Cargo Air Lines) · direct flights to 2 destinations incl. Quepos, San Jose (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 2 direct destinations

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Tambor Airport (TMU) 33 km to the centre
Nicoya, P, CR — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor. ✈ 3 airlines (CAL Cargo Air Lines, Euro Exec Express, LACSA) · direct flights to 1 destination incl. San Jose (OpenFlights route data).
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 3 airlines, 1 direct destination
  • CAL Cargo Air Lines 5C (CNA, DHT) · 1 route: San Jose
  • Euro Exec Express RZ (CNA) · 1 route: San Jose
  • LACSA LR (CNA) · 1 route: San Jose*

Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.

Indoor | Outdoor
Chacarita Airport (JAP) 6.8 km to the centre
Puntarenas, P, CR — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Cóbano Airport (ACO) 42 km to the centre
Cóbano, P, CR — Indoor waiting area, but you walk out to the aircraft to board — bring an umbrella or a coat if the forecast is poor.
Indoor | Outdoor
Aranjuez Airport 9.3 km to the centre
Miramar, P, CR
Outdoor
San Agustin Airport 11 km to the centre
Puntarenas, P, CR
Outdoor

Getting there by ferry

Ferry a Playa Naranjo
Ferry terminal · 1.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Ferry Paquera
Ferry terminal · 1.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Naviera Tambor
Ferry terminal · 1.6 km from the centre
Outdoor
Terminal Ferry Playa Naranjo
Ferry terminal · 16 km from the centre
Outdoor
Terminal Ferry Paquera
Ferry terminal · 18 km from the centre
Outdoor
Ruta Puntarenas - Isla San Lucas
Ferry route
Outdoor
Ruta Puntarenas - Playa Naranjo
Ferry route
Outdoor
Ruta Puntarenas - Paquera
Ferry route
Outdoor
Ruta Puntarenas - Isla de Chira
Ferry route
Outdoor

Where things are

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Local search powered by Geoverts and geo-intelligence by Better Mapping base map © OSM

Photographs

When to go

Tourist season
May – September

The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.

Shoulder season
April, October

Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.

Worth avoiding
Deep winter

Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.

Getting there & around

Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Tambor Airport (TMU); 14 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: FON has direct flights to 2 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Quepos, San Jose). By water: 5 ferry terminals within 20 km (nearest: Ferry a Playa Naranjo, 1.6 km); routes include Ruta Puntarenas - Isla San Lucas, Ruta Puntarenas - Playa Naranjo, Ruta Puntarenas - Paquera.

Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.

Tours & experiences

Sightseeing