Punt on Puntarenas – Journey into Darkness

The day begins with a healthy push from a Costa Rican tugboat, propelling us to the pier in Puntarenas. The pier is well located, providing direct access to the city beyond.

Determined to try and beat some of the heat, we got out early, made our way along the crowded sidewalk and turned left. This takes us along a relatively well-maintained street, heading west towards the end of Puntarenas. There are a few stalls selling local food and goods of varying degrees of quality along the way – and none of the stallholders are pushy or aggressive.

About halfway through, the road was closed so a temporary exhibition could be held. We assume this has something to do with what’s coming Dia de los Muertos Celebrations (yes, they celebrate them in Costa Rica too). It’s very different from what might be expected in the UK (“Do you have a permit to do this?”).

We never made it to the end of Puntarenas, but somewhere near the Faro de Puntarenas Lighthouse, we came across an elevated viewing area that allowed us to look back along the beach. The town of Puntarenas stretches far beyond the black sand that dwarfs it Princess of the island In the distance.

Note that the waterfront promenade does not pass any shops. If you want to go shopping in Puntarenas, you’ll have to head north deeper into the city itself.

If it’s hard to get excited about Puntarenas, that’s because it is. The town looks like a run-down seaside resort, with lots of empty boarded-up buildings among seedy bars and restaurants. There’s also a lot of trash everywhere, and a lot of it has washed up on the beach, which is unfortunate.

I think if you’re looking for a Magaluf (or Southend) alternative, Puntarenas might fit the bill.

Accessibility information

Batteries used: 70%

Terrain: The footpath along the waterfront was well maintained, the only major bumps being the decorative cement used for the pier. However, the streets leading away from the waterfront seem less suitable for scooters with lots of curbs, cracks and very high steps.

Public transportation: In the past, there was a train service between Puntarenas and the Costa Rican capital, San José. Unfortunately, this service has been discontinued as historical accounts indicate that it was a good day trip.

Taxis: Yes, they exist. No, we haven’t tried one. No, they do not appear to be wheelchair/scooter friendly.

Did we get a passport stamp in Puntarenas?

Yes! The port security officer stamped our passports when we boarded the ship.

Will we return to Puntarenas?

There’s really nothing to see in Puntarenas. If we return, it will be a gateway to more exciting adventures in Costa Rica’s interior.

Other activities in Puntarenas

Isla Tortuga is a favorite destination in Puntarenas, but there are some other activities you might want to consider if you’re more mobile than us:

Please note that we use sponsored links on this blog. Although we may earn referral fees or bonus points on some of these products and services mentioned, we never recommend anything we don’t use ourselves.

Check out our full affiliate disclosure policy for more information.

Related to