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Looking for the best things to do in Puntarenas?
There’s plenty to do in this gorgeous coastal city, so the only challenge is making the most of your time! We visit Puntarenas city all the time, and we’ve done tons of cool things here, so we’ll share our favourites!
Puntarenas is also a really popular cruise ship stop, so lots of the activities below are perfect for cruise passengers and will even pick you up from the dock.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this Puntarenas City Highlights tour! View wildlife at Carrara National Park, go on a crocodile cruise, and explore the city all in one day.
Check out all the reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is popular, so book it in advance now and get free cancellation!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- 1. Small Group or Private Isla Tortuga Tour with Snorkeling
- 2. Puntarenas Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour
- 3. Rainforest Hanging Bridges & Tarcoles River Shore Excursion
- 4. ATV Jungle Adventure and Crocodile Cruise Shore Excursion
- 5. Monteverde Cloud Forest and Coffee Tour
- Where to Stay in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
1. Small Group or Private Isla Tortuga Tour with Snorkeling
- Price: $115 USD (group tour) or $125-$210 USD (private tour)
- Duration: 7 hours
- Time: 8:30 am
- Highlights: Dolphin spotting, snorkeling, seeing spider monkeys, relaxing on the pristine beach
- Inclusions: Transportation, private parking if necessary, lunch, snorkeling equipment, all activities
- Pickup from: Self-drive to meeting point OR shuttle from cruise port
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check out the 80+ reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Whether you’re visiting Puntarenas as a short stop on a cruise, or you’re planning to stay for a couple of days, make the most of it by visiting Tortuga Island! It’s Costa Rica’s most beautiful island jewel and you really can’t miss the chance to explore.
This full-day tour whisks you off on a boat to the tropical island paradise, but the journey there is actually half the fun. We got to see tons of dolphins as we cruised through the Gulf of Nicoya and we got to stop off at Negritos Island Biological Reserve, where we saw tons of spider monkeys frolicking around in their natural habitat. It was so cool!
And once you arrive, the snorkeling on Isla Tortuga is second to none. We saw everything from turtles and seahorses to reef sharks – don’t worry, they’re not dangerous. It was so much fun, and then we got to relax on the white sand beaches and enjoy lunch on the island.
You must have a minimum number of 4 people to book this tour, so it’s the perfect thing to do if you’re traveling with family or friends. With a group of 4-12 people, you can join the shared small group tour for $115 USD per person. Or if you have 5 to 15 people in your group, you can opt for the private tour option and get the whole boat to yourself!
This tour is hands down one of the best ways to spend a day in Puntarenas. It usually sells out at least a few days in advance, so we recommend booking your spot now to avoid disappointment!
Check availability and pricing for this Tortuga Island tour here!
2. Puntarenas Wildlife & Sightseeing Tour
- Price: $79 USD
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 8 or 9 am
- Highlights: Wildlife viewing and birdwatching in Carrara National Park, crocodile cruise, churches, markets, beaches
- Inclusions: Pickup and drop-off, all entry fees, nature cruise, English-speaking guide, lunch
- Pickup from: Cruise Dock
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check out the great reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
I think it’s safe to say that we all love getting the most out of our time and money, and that’s precisely what makes this Puntarenas highlights tour so fantastic! It was created specifically for cruise ship passengers who want to see as much of Puntarenas as possible in one day, however, those staying in the city or visiting from land are also very welcome to join.
I love this tour because it offers a fantastic snapshot of what Puntarenas is all about. First, you get to go birdwatching in Carrara National Park, which is just teeming with exotic wildlife. Many of Costa Rica’s most iconic species reside here, including scarlet macaws, capuchin monkeys, and anteaters! It’s especially noted for its birdlife, and we saw so many rare species here.
Then, you get to see a totally different side of Puntarenas’ wildlife with a cruise along the Tarcoles River – aka Croc Central! Seeing the crocs is an absolute must while you’re in the area, and this tour makes it so easy by arranging the cruise for you.
Then, it’s back to Puntarenas for a city highlights tour. This is a great opportunity to learn about the area’s history and check out some local landmarks that tourists usually miss. Plus, our guides took us for lunch at an excellent restaurant that we definitely wouldn’t have found on our own.
All in all, we think that this is the perfect shore excursion or tour for people visiting Puntarenas for the first time. It’s a great way to get acquainted with Puntarenas and there’s no way you’d be able to check off all of these activities by yourself in a day – and certainly not for such a low price of only $79 USD per person!
Reserve your spot here and receive FREE 24-hour cancellation!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Rainforest Hanging Bridges & Tarcoles River Shore Excursion
- Price: $125 USD
- Duration: 5 hours
- Time: 30 minutes after cruise ship arrival
- Highlights: Visit the hanging bridges at Carara National Park, spotting wildlife and exotic birds, Tarcoles river crocodile cruise, free time to explore the village of Santa Lucia
- Inclusions: Port pick-up and drop-off, professional naturalist guide, entry fees, hanging bridges tour, river cruise, fruit snacks
- Pickup from: Cruise Dock
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check 80+ reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
This awesome shore excursion is exclusively for cruise ship passengers, and it’s a fantastic choice for those who are keen to dive deep into the area’s natural beauty and wildlife. Exploring the hanging bridges in Carara National Park is so much fun and a fantastic way to spot tons of rare birds.
The guides on this tour really know their stuff and will help you spot and identify tons of different creatures, from jewel-colored hummingbirds to sloths and monkeys. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you see SO much more wildlife when you go with a guide!
The tour offers some time to grab local snacks or shop for souvenirs in the charming settlement of Santa Lucia, and then it’s time for another Puntarenas must-do: a Tarcoles River cruise! This is one of our favorite things to do in Puntarenas because it’s an amazing chance to see tons of crocodiles swimming or lounging on rocks. I don’t know about you, but that’s certainly not something I get to see every day!
So if you’re all about wildlife, this tour is an excellent choice. Since it’s only for cruise passengers, there’s also no need to worry about logistics and getting back to the dock on time. These guys have it down to a fine art, so you’re in good hands. This one does book up though, especially between December and April, so don’t hesitate to grab your spot.
Don’t miss out, secure you’re spot here in advance!
4. ATV Jungle Adventure and Crocodile Cruise Shore Excursion
- Price: $235 USD
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 30 minutes after cruise ship arrival
- Highlights: Ride an ATV through the rainforest, visit scenic beaches, go on an eco-boat tour, spot rare birds and crocodiles
- Inclusions: Port pickup and drop-off, safety equipment, ATV buggy tour, Tarcoles river cruise
- Pickup from: Cruise Dock
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (Check the reviews here!)
- Free cancellation: Yes
The two things that we love most about traveling in Costa Rica are adventurous activities and spotting wildlife. So for us, booking this adventurous jungle tour was a no-brainer!
We got a quick city tour of Puntarenas first, and then we got to take an adrenaline-fuelled ATV ride through Carara National Park. We had so much fun as we zoomed through the rainforest and splashed through rivers. It was an absolute blast and if you’ve only got one day to spend in Puntarenas off the cruise ship, this shore excursion will certainly make it memorable!
We also got a 30-minute stop at a tucked-away beach where we were able to relax and go for a swim. This was a great chance to cool off before we continued onto our next activity: a Tarcoles river cruise. We saw so many crocodiles from the boat, as well as aquatic birds and monkeys swinging through the trees overhead. It was fantastic and our guide did a great job of pointing out rare flora and fauna.
This is a really unique shore excursion and a must for thrill-seekers. It is exclusive to cruise ship passengers, so make sure to only book if you are visiting Puntarenas on a cruise! We loved it and would definitely go again! It’s best to book in advance and with the option to buy now, and pay later, what have you got to lose?
Book this shore excursion exclusive to cruise passengers here!
5. Monteverde Cloud Forest and Coffee Tour
- Price: $174 USD
- Duration: 8 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Guided tour of Monteverde Cloud Forest, hiking across suspension bridges, coffee plantation tour
- Inclusions: Pickup and drop-off, all admission fees, activities, naturalist guide, lunch, bottled water
- Pickup from: Puntarenas hotels or the cruise port
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (check out the reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Who would turn down the chance to visit a mysterious, tropical forest? Not us!
Monteverde Cloud Forest is one of Costa Rica’s most iconic destinations. It’s clouded in heavy mist (hence the name) and is home to over 100 different types of mammals and 400 species of birds. We saw so much amazing wildlife when we visited on this full-day tour from Puntarenas City.
After pickup, this tour whisks you off to the cloud forest, where you’ll feel like you’ve stepped onto the set of Jurassic Park as you explore the park’s six suspension bridges. The views from up here are nothing short of amazing. Your guide will help you spot some of Monteverde’s most iconic creatures, including poison dart frogs and Resplendent quetzals.
After a hearty lunch, it’s onto a coffee farm – and not just any old coffee farm, either! This tour includes the Don Juan coffee tour, which is the best one we’ve ever done in Costa Rica. There are so many plantations to visit in Costa Rica but this one truly stands out. You can’t miss the chance to visit!
It’s unusual to find a Puntarenas shore excursion that visits Monteverde, and this tour combines two of our all-time favorite activities in Costa Rica, so it’s safe to say we’re huge fans! It’s a fantastic chance to make the most of your time and experience the best of Costa Rica in just one day.
Check availability for this popular Monteverde Cloud forest tour here!
Where to Stay in Puntarenas, Costa Rica
If you’re visiting this beautiful port town, you’ll need to know where to stay! Below are a few of my favorite accommodations in Puntarenas!
Hostel del Pacifico – $
First off, for budget travelers, Hostel del Pacifico is my top choice, and prices start at roughly $30 USD per night. It’s location is at the very end of the main road through Puntarenas, minutes from many sights, the beach, and the ferry. It’s much nicer than first meets the eye and each room has a private bathroom with shower and air conditioning. There is also a garden, terrace, and you can even get your laundry done here.
Check availability and reserve a room at Hostel del Pacifico here on Booking.com.
Hotel Cayuga – $$
With prices starting at $102 USD per night, Hotel Cayuga is a fantastic value which makes me think prices are only low because it’s still a relatively new hotel. It’s has exceptionally clean facilities with comfy beds, a private outdoor pool, and strong WiFi and air conditioning. It’s located two blocks from the Paseo de los Turistas and in walking distance from the bus station. However, it also comes with free closed-in parking and a tasty hotel restaurant and bar with super friendly staff.
Check availability and reserve a room at Hotel Cayuga here on Booking.com.
Fiesta Resort – $$$
If you can afford more, Fiesta Resort is a top all-inclusive resort in Costa Rica. It’s also a beachfront hotel with everything you could ever need at your fingertips. It’s located in El Roble, a 15-minute drive from Puntarenas. Prices start at $348 USD and include well…everything! Expect a spa, gym, on-site tennis courts, pools, beach access, and local and international restaurants and bars, and even a theme night at the buffet.
Check availability and reserve a room at Fiesta Resort here on Booking.com.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
We always have such a great time visiting Puntarenas. Whether you’re here as a stop on a cruise or are driving around the country on your own, it is definitely worth a visit as there are so many cool things to do. I hope this article has helped you decide how to spend your time!
If you’re travelling around Costa Rica, or want to learn more about this beautiful country, make sure to check out some of my other blogs:
Is Costa Rica Safe? Travel Scams and Safety Tips to KNOW
Wildlife in Costa Rica: 25 Must-See Animals and Where to See Them!