 The Central Pacific region comprises an area of transition between North Pacific which has a tropical dry forest and the wet and rain forest of the South Pacific zone. This region extends from Puntarenas to Punta Uvita. All along the area are incredible national parks, bioreserves and natural landmarks. From luxury resorts to bed and breakfast, the mid Pacific has all the services you need. There are cities and towns that have developed in the last years such as Jacó, Puntarenas, Quepos, Montezumas, Parrita, Esterillos and Dominical and Caldera. This is the most important port in the Pacific, where several cruise lines dock with thousands of tourists every year. In addition, the region contains the Gulf of Nicoya Islands which are sanctuaries for marine birds.
In the Central Pacific of Costa Rica there is the southern Nicoya Peninsula. Here the beaches of Montezuma and Tambor face the calm waters of the Gulf of Nicoya which are safe areas for swimming and snorkeling. From here people choose from excursions to Tortuga Island or Curú Wildlife Refuge. In this area we have one of the most luxurious and romantic hotel member of Small Distinctive Hotels, Hotel Florblanca, located on the beach of the unexplored Santa Teresa Beach, a paradise for surfers and lovers of quiet and secluded destinations.
In the waters of the Gulf of Nicoya, there are some islands that are true gems for wildlife. The Chira Island is the second largest island in Costa Rica, other islands are Venado, Caballo and its sister island Bejuco. All of the islands are inhabited by a small number of Costa Ricans and in some cases like Chira Island, tourist can find accommodations. Fishing is the main economy in this area. All of these islands are covered by dry forest.
 The historical island of San Lucas is located here, a penal colony until 1991. It had the reputation of being the roughest jail in Costa Rica and its 117 years of history is rich with tales of violence. Today the prison walls are crumbling in ruins and a lonely caretaker might let you tour the island. Tortuga Island is the most popular of Costa Rica's islands. It actually consists of 2 uninhabited islands, situated in front of the Curu Wildlife Refuge. The clear, turquoise waters allow excellent snorkeling and diving, and the white sand beaches lined with swaying palm trees provide the most sought-after setting in the world: a tropical island paradise. Guayabo, Negritos and Pájaros Islands form part of the Biological Reserves for protecting thousands of birds every year.
Returning to land, Jacó is a well known beach, with a long swath of grey sand, regularly enjoys big waves summoning international surfing competitions several times a year. In addition, Jacó beach has plenty of bars, restaurants, discotheques, casinos and luxury resorts. All kind of activities are available, such as hiking the trails in the Carara National Park, canopy tours, trips to Tortuga Island, kayaking and visiting the Tárcoles River where you can see 15 foot crocodiles.
The most recognized beach in the world in this area is Manuel Antonio. Many tourists, including Hollywood stars, come here every year. Manuel Antonio is famous for its unforgettable coastal scenery and the flora and fauna of its luxuriant forests. The most remarkable attraction is the Manuel Antonio National Park.
Among the Central Pacific Protected areas are:
Cabo Blanco Nature Reserve: Designated a Nature Reserve in 1963, Cabo Blanco ("White Cape") is the oldest protected piece of land in Costa Rica. The Cape takes its name from the trails of white guano left behind by generations of sea birds and from the deposits of white limestone. Cabo Blanco is a marine bird sanctuary for species of brown pelicans, magnificent frigate birds, and brown boobies. Some of the attractions that make Cabo Blanco such an interesting and beautiful wilderness area are its dense semi-deciduous forest, deep-blue sea with islands that serve as important nesting sites for marine birds, unusual geological formations, variety of wildlife, and innumerable tidal pools where a myriad of sea creatures live. Cabo Blanco is home for a great variety of animals, such as white-tailed deer, three species of monkeys, agoutis, coyotes, wild cats, and more than 100 species of birds.
Carara National Park is one of the most popular parks. It is one of the two areas in the country where you are likely to see scarlet Macaws and it’s an easy place to spot crocodiles, which live in Tárcoles River on the reserve’s northern border. There are also plenty of monkeys, iguanas, sloth, coatis, and other animals roaming the woods of Carara.
Curú Wildlife Refuge: Despite its small size, this former ranch north of Tambor contains a wealth of wildlife. Patches of Tropical dry forest are home for capuchin monkeys, parrots and armadillos and the rocky coastline has a rich marine environment. It is a quiet spot good for snorkeling and bird watching.
Manuel Antonio National Park: This national park boasts a combination of rainforest, beaches and coral reefs. This protected area consists of 1,685 acres of coastal forest, several beaches and 12 offshore islands. Its forest is home to 184 bird species, more than 100 mammals and some reptiles. |
Español