Central Pacific Coast travel

Central Pacific Coast

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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鈥�

A drone shot of the National park Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica
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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鈥�

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鈥�

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鈥�

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鈥檚 a steep 3km (45-minute) hike down into the valley (an hour鈥�

Parque Nacional Carara

Central Pacific Coast

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

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鈥�

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鈥�

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