Central Pacific Coast

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Playa Dominical, Marino Ballena national park, Pacific coast, Costa Rica.

Getty Images/age fotostock RM

Overview

Stretching from Puntarenas to the tiny town of Uvita, the central Pacific coast is home to wet and dry tropical forests, sun-drenched beaches and a healthy dose of wildlife. On shore, national parks protect endangered squirrel monkeys and scarlet macaws, while offshore waters nurture migrating whales and pods of dolphins.

Attractions

Must-see attractions

  • Iguana in Manuel Antonio National Park in Costa Rica

    Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio

    Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around

    Featuring lush jungle, picture-perfect beaches and craggy headlands, this tiny park (1680 acres/680 hectares) absolutely brims with wildlife (and often…

  • A drone shot of the National park Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica 1479366724 blue water, cove, wallpaper, green, tourist attraction, wildlife, bay, beautiful, drone shot, landscape, outdoor, shore, sunny day, tropical plants, adventure travel, animal park, bio reserve, cathedral point, coast line, conservation area, double sided beach, dream vacations, flora and fauna, manuel antonio beach, most famous, paradise beach, parque nacional manuel antonio, playa manuel antonio, punta catedral, rich coast, tropical vegetation, white sand beach, wildlife sanctuary, zoological garden

    Punta Catedral

    Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around

    Geography fun fact: this isthmus, which is the centerpiece of the park, is called a tombolo and was formed by the accumulation of sand between the…

  • Playa Espadilla Sur & Punta Catedral in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica

    Playa Espadilla Sur

    Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around

    A half-hour hike from the park entrance, the exposed Playa Espadilla Sur is to the north of Punta Catedral and gorgeous with pinch-me scenes of white sand…

  • Cascada Verde

    Cascada Verde

    Uvita

    Around 2.5km inland and uphill (toward Cascada Verde hostel), this waterfall plunges into an inviting deep pool, perfect for a refreshing dip. Visitors…

  • Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva

    Catarata Manantial de Agua Viva

    Central Pacific Coast

    This 200m-high waterfall is claimed to be the highest in the country. From the entrance, it’s a steep 3km (45-minute) hike down into the valley (an hour…

  • Scarlet Macaw, Costa Rica

    Parque Nacional Carara

    Central Pacific Coast

    Carara is the famed home of one of Costa Rica’s most charismatic bird species, the scarlet macaw. While catching a glimpse of this tropical wonder is a…

  • An askew shade tree on the south end of Playa Manuel Antonio in Manuel Antonio National Park, Costa Rica.

    Playa Manuel Antonio

    Parque Nacional Manuel Antonio & Around

    With its turquoise waters, this lovely forest-backed beach fronts a deep bay, sheltered by the Punta Catedral on the west side and a promontory on the…

  • Casa Fait

    Casa Fait

    Puntarenas

    Quite possibly the most beautiful building in Puntarenas, Casa Fait is a purple-and-cream clapboard 1920s colonial building, with ornate iron balconies…

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Articles

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Wildlife & Nature

Adventure awaits in Costa Rica’s national parks

Jul 11, 2018 • 5 min read

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