Things to do in Puntarenas Province

Discover Manuel Antonio National Park, a small biological island established in 1972 by the Costa Rican government to preserve its precious wildlife. Though Manuel Antonio National Park is the smallest park in the country, it’s also the most visited due to its charming combination of rain forests, beaches, coral reefs, and wildlife. After being picked up from your hotel by your excerpt driver-guide, get ready to explore a diverse range of fauna spanning 109 species of mammals and 184 birds. As you explore, look out for raccoons, coatis, agoutis, sloths, white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and the famous Titi monkey, an endangered subspecies unique to the park. Be led by your guide on a breathtaking walking tour through the jungle and experience the secrets and wonders of this amazing ecosystem. See kingfishers, the yellow crowned night heron and many more bird species. Benefit from assistance taking high-quality nature photos using your own digital camera combined with professional telescopes provided on the tour.

Begin your tour with a short 30-minute walk and be introduced to the Central Pacific transitional forest. During the walk observe the amazing flora and fauna. Afterward, begin your chocolate experience and discover the international cocoa collection of the Central Pacific. Learn about the different varieties of cocoa, as well as its ancestral history, and cocoa's impact on the world economy. Try the actual cocoa fruit and take part in the cocoa production process. Delish in different types of chocolate and mix it with tropical fruits. Also learn about two of the most traditional agricultural products of Costa Rica, sugar cane and coffee. Have direct contact with the plants and hear about the natural history of these crops. At the end of the experience, there will be organic chocolate bars with different cocoa percentages as well as other cocoa products for purchase.

Take a guided walking tour through the rich biodiversity of the Monteverde Cloud Forest as nocturnal mammals, birds, insects, reptiles, and amphibians wake up for the night. Be picked up and dropped off at your doorstep in Santa Elena or Monteverde.  Hop aboard an air-conditioned coach and sit back and relax on the drive into the Cloud Forest area. Find out for yourself how busy the forest can be at night as most animals are active in the evening and around 80 percent are nocturnal.  Follow your guide through paths lined with lush vegetation. Spot critters that are not seen during the day on a 2-hour walk. Look for animals like raccoons, sloths, armadillos, olingos, and kinkajous that are active at night.  Follow your guide on a magical journey through a beautiful forest as well as a sustainable coffee, banana, and sugar cane area. Return to your accommodation in Santa Elena or Monteverde by coach at the end of your tour. 

Pay a visit to KSTR Wildlife Rescue, the only official Rescue Center and Sanctuary in the area of Manuel Antonio. The sanctuary's mission is to rescue every animal in need and give them a second chance. During your tour, learn about Costa Rica’s native wildlife and the mission of the organization. Discover the work the sanctuary has been carrying out over the last 20 years and learn about their special projects, including reforestation projects, and rescuing and rehabilitating displaced animals. Enjoy a guided stroll through the rainforest sanctuary that is home to diverse animals that are not fit to be released into the wild. Meet sloths, monkeys, coatis, parrots, and more. Learn the stories of these unique animals and the care they receive from your dedicated guide. After the tour, enjoy some freshly cut fruit and homemade juice. Feel free to stay as long as you like after the tour and make use of the sanctuary's facilities, including a swimming pool and restaurant.

The mangrove forest is one of the most vital and astounding ecosystems in the world. Damas Island, located just 10 minutes from Manuel Antonio is currently one of the most important remaining mangroves in Costa Rica. Covering thousands of acres of protected forest, this amazing biodiversity is home to a large number of birds, reptiles, mammals, and insects. Our experienced guides will take you on an unforgettable boat tour through the channels of the mangrove forest, far away from civilization. You can discover an abundance of species native to the area such as white-faced monkeys, anteaters, boas, iguanas, birds and thousands of colorful crabs. Our boats have the capacity to hold 12 passengers and are fully equipped for your comfort and security.

Explore Tortuga Island on a guided tour with hotel pickup and drop-off included. Go on a quick tour of the other islands in a boat, then arrive at Tortuga Island. Go snorkeling or swimming, and eat breakfast on the beach. Opt to do other activities, such as renting a jet ski. Tuck into lunch. Begin your tour by getting picked up in an air-conditioned vehicle directly from your hotel in either Heredia, San José, or Alajuela. Once you arrive at the harbor, hop into your speedboat and set sail on your adventure. Listen to your guide tell you about the local area and take in the views. Go on a tour of the Gulf of Nicoya, and see islands such as San Lucas, Isla Cedros, and Jesusita. Use the opportunity to take photos. Along the way, keep an eye out for bottlenose dolphins that are residents of Puntarenas. See if you can spot whales or turtles, and stop to observe them. Upon arrival at the island, be provided with equipment to go snorkeling, as well as instructions on how to use them. Go searching for exotic and colorful fish underwater. Spend time relaxing on the white sand in the shade of palm trees. Opt to participate in other activities at an extra cost. Rent a jet ski or a kayak, or go paddleboarding. After you have explored the island, head back for lunch on the beach. Enjoy cold drinks and a coffee along with it. Hop back in the boat to be taken back to your hotel at the end of the day.

As you quietly watch this unique environment your guide will describe everything concerning the flora and fauna found in this amazing area. This tour goes throughout the mangrove wetlands and offers a great chance to observe migratory marine birds. The Damas Island kayaking tour takes you through the natural canals and provides an ideal opportunity to observe many birds such as herons, kingfishers, ospreys, and frigates birds.This Manuel Antonio tour lasts about 2 hours, and refreshing Costa Rican meals are arranged before or after the excursion, depending on the tides. This tour does not require prior experience. Single or double kayaks are available. Youngsters should be at least 8 years old to paddle their own kayak alone.

What you'll do Zip line through one of the most breath taking views in Monteverde, this extreme experience offers views to a waterfall, 14 cables of zip line, 5 of them are extremely long: 467 mts, 425 mts, 600 mts, 750 mts, 1 kilometer and height between 75 mts and 150 mts. Total distance 4KM For no additional cost you will also enjoy: -Rappel (30 mts) -Tarzan Swing -Superman cable of 1 km -Subterranean Superman:175 mts long -21 platforms. -Insurance. DON"T MISS THIS BREATHTAKING EXPERIENCE

This rainforest night tour is operated in the amazing Rainmaker Park. Rainmaker is one of the most important and impressive rainforest ecosystems in Costa Rica, this is where the extinct harlequin frog reappeared and was rediscovered thus becoming an important field of research and scientific studies for herpetologists worldwide. This night walk takes about 2-hours to 2.5-hours and is led by a professional and expert certified guide. During the expedition you may see bats, Jesus Christ lizard, spiders, owls, high varieties of frogs, snakes and many interesting insects. You will use special equipment for the night and a flashlight for a better appreciation during the activity to help you see the jungle life more clearly.

Enjoy a day of adventure in Pacific Park. Challenge yourself to climb a waterfall, overcome your fears with a hanging bridge, explore the lesser-known part of the forest canopy with a gondola flight and prepare for fun and adrenaline at the safest and most exciting canopy in Costa Rica. The Adrenaline Junkie Tour includes nature trails trekking and a visit to a medicinal plants garden, an aerial tram, canopy zip line, and waterfall climb – all with the help of a guide. The Aerial Tram features 18 gondolas that give rides to a maximum of 9 passengers each including one bilingual (English/Spanish) naturalist guide for a tour above the top of the trees to learn about the rich ecosystem of Costa Rican tropical forests.  The Pacific Canopy zip line tour sends you gliding over treetops for a compelling and exciting way to have a clearer view of the rainforest. Five of the zip lines are over 200 meters long. Splash and battle against a strong current as you climb a waterfall. With just the help of a safety harness and a rope, use your hands and feet to reach the top.