Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica)

Puerto Caldera is the cruise port to Puntarenas - a major city and gateway to Costa Rica's Pacific Ocean coast. Puerto Caldera and Puntarenas both serve as cruise ports for San Jose City (Costa Rica's capital). Juan Santamaria Airport (San Jose) is located approx 85 km (50 mi) to the east from the cruise port (in Alajuela).

Puntarenas is on a long and narrow peninsula in Gulf of Nicoya. It was country's main seaport for years, but now is mainly used by cruise ships. Puntarenas City covers a an area of approx 34 km2 (13 mi2) and has population around 35,000.

The coast features a city beach lined with bars and restaurants (although its water is a little murky). The region has numerous National Parks or protected nature reserves. Inland Monteverde is famous for its cloud forest and two reserves (Santa Elena Rain Forest and Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve). Approx 30 km (20 mi) south of Puerto Caldera are located two forest reserves, best known for their diverse populations of birds - Carara Biological Reserve and the preserve encompassing the islands Negritos, Los Pajaros and Guayabo.

Puntarenas cruise terminal

Puntarenas tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

From both cruise ports (Puntarenas and Puerto Caldera) are offered as shore excursions bus tours to San Jose - Costa Rica's capital city. Another popular tour destination is the Arenal Volcano - located approx 90 km (56 ml) northwest of San Jose. Tours to Monteverde are also often offered from the Puntarenas cruise port.