The Central Pacific
The Central Pacific at a Glance
Cities & Towns
- Puntarenas
- Jaco
- Manuel Antonio
Beaches
- Blanca Beach
- Jaco Beach
- Hermosa Beach
- Esterillos
- Manuel Antonio
- Matapalo and Linda Beach
National Parks
- Carara National Park
- Manuel Antonio National Park
From the Port of Puntarenas, to just south of Manuel Antonio National Park, the Central Pacific area of Costa Rica is full of incredible places to explore and enjoy. Just one hour drive from San Jose you can take a boat ride on the Rio Tarcoles and see huge crocodiles, take an island cruise around the Gulf of Nicoya, or visit Carara National Park, a transitional rainforest, the second most diverse ecosystem, only after the tropical rainforest.