Your stay — finca los sitios
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Puntarenas.
The Property — finca los sitios
Finca Los Sitios feels more like an old coffee plantation than a standard hotel: wide verandas, tropical gardens, and a small pool tucked among fruit trees. It's a 3-star property that prioritises quiet and character over flash – rooms are simple but clean, with ceiling fans and mosquito nets. The vibe is low-key and slightly rustic, best suited to solo travellers or couples who want a peaceful base away from the beach strip. Standing in the lobby you smell damp earth and frangipani, and the staff wave as they pass, which sets the tone.
Chronicles of Puntarenas
Puntarenas rose as Costa Rica's chief Pacific port in the mid-1800s, exporting coffee and bananas. Its wooden Victorian-era buildings along the Paseo de los Turistas recall the boom times when steamships docked here. After the railway from San José opened in 1910, the city became a weekend escape for the capital. Today Puntarenas is a working port that’s seen better days, but its faded waterfront and fish-market lunches keep a salty, authentic vibe.
Best Time to Visit
Full Puntarenas guide →Best months
February to April – the dry season is in full swing, skies are blue, and the humidity is lower. Crowds are manageable because most tourists head for the Pacific beaches further south, leaving Puntarenas calm.
Peak / festival surge
Easter Week (Semana Santa) in March or April is the busiest period, when Ticos flood the coast. Hotel prices can double, and the town is packed with families and processions. The Fiesta de la Virgen del Mar in July also brings big crowds to the harbour.
Budget shoulder season
May and November offer the best balance: rain is short-lived (often just a morning shower), rooms are 20–30% cheaper, and you’ll have the ferries and restaurants almost to yourself.
Weather & packing
Puntarenas sits on a narrow peninsula, so there’s often a strong afternoon breeze even in the dry season – pack a light windbreaker. Stick to quick-dry clothes and closed-toe sandals, as the hotel grounds get muddy after any shower.
Live City Briefing — Puntarenas
- The ferry to the Nicoya Peninsula now runs a reduced schedule due to engine maintenance; check the Coonatramar website before booking day trips to Paquera.
- A new craft-beer bar, ‘El Muelle’, opened last month on the waterfront near the fish market – a welcome alternative to the usual cheap lager.
- Construction on the Caldera-Puntarenas highway is ongoing; expect delays of 15–20 minutes if driving from San José, especially on weekends.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to finca los sitios, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inland (north) side. The property is a low-rise finca style, so upper floors offer quieter distance from ground-level activity and better airflow. North-facing rooms avoid the coastal road noise from the south.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the entrance or the small car park. At km 24 on the main road, vehicle noise and early morning comings-and-goings from staff or delivery vehicles will disturb sleep. Rooms facing south directly face that road.
Best views
The best view from upper north-facing rooms is of the surrounding hills and palm groves, not the road. South-facing rooms overlook the highway and possibly the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance — but you trade view for constant traffic noise.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 (if three-storey) or just upper level in a two-storey building. Being a 3-star finca, likely no lift, so upper floors mean less foot traffic outside your door.
🔊 Noise notes
This finca sits directly on the Costanera Sur, a major coastal highway. Expect truck and bus noise from about 5am to 10pm. There's no secondary road buffer. Evening wildlife noise (howler monkeys, birds) is pleasant but can be startling at dawn.
Insider tips
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a north-facing upper room — the property may assign rooms on arrival. 2. Bring earplugs or a white noise app: the highway noise is persistent even in 'quieter' rooms. 3. If you drive, park away from the main building wall to avoid engine start-up noise at dawn.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — finca los sitios
Free Wi-Fi throughout with a single network (password given at check-in). Speed around 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload. No premium tier. Login is per device via captive portal.
No lift; all rooms are on ground floor or accessed by exterior stairs to a single upper floor.
No digital newsstand or print newspapers. The main building is a restored 1940s coffee finca with original hardwood beams and a central courtyard.
Check-in from 14:00. Early bag-drop available from 10:00 at reception. Late check-out (until 13:00) costs $30 USD (₡15,600 CRC), subject to availability.
Free luggage storage in a locked room near reception on day of check-out.
No step-free access to the main entrance (two steps). Doors are standard width (approx. 80 cm). No accessible bathroom or room modifications. The upper floor rooms are only reachable by stairs.
Free on-site parking for about 12 cars, first-come first-served. No valet. Nearest public car park is 800 metres away at the Puntarenas ferry terminal, costing about ₡1,500 CRC per night. No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Puntarenas does not levy a hotel occupancy tax; a 13% VAT is already included in quoted rates)
Deposit & card hold: A 50% advance deposit is required to confirm the booking, charged to credit card at time of reservation. At check-in, a $50 USD (approx. ₡26,000 CRC) hold is placed on card for incidentals.
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use ATMs in Puntarenas for the best colón rate; avoid currency exchange at the airport or tourist bureaux — they give poor rates.
Visa/Mastercard accepted in most supermarkets and larger shops; smaller cafes and local buses are cash-only, so carry small colón notes.
Restaurants include 10% service (propina) automatically, extra tip not expected; taxis round up to nearest 500 CRC; hotel staff no set rule, 2000 CRC for bellhop is fine.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of black coffee from a roadside soda (small local eatery) costs around 600 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) from a soda costs about 3000 CRC.
An affordable main course at a local restaurant runs roughly 4000-5000 CRC.
Look for sodas near the central market or along the malecón for cheap chifrijo (fried pork with beans) and empanadas; avoid tourist-facing stalls.
Supermercado Reyes and Maxi Pali are common budget supermarket chains in the area.
The central market and small independent shops along Avenida 1 sell basic clothing at low prices; no major high-street brands.
Local buses cost 300-500 CRC per ride; from San José airport, take a direct bus (about 7000 CRC) rather than a taxi (25,000+ CRC).
Eat at sodas instead of tourist restaurants; buy bottled water and snacks at Maxi Pali; skip expensive La Yunta tours and instead walk the malecón and nearby beaches for free.
Emergency Contacts
PuntarenasIn Costa Rica, 911 connects you to police, ambulance, and fire services. For non-emergencies, the Puntarenas police station is on Avenida 3, Calles 2/4, +506 2661-0144. The local fire station (Bomberos) is at Calle 6, Avenida 5, +506 2661-0111. The Red Cross ambulance can also be reached at +506 2661-0222. Keep these written down, as phone battery can be an issue.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Puntarenas, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at finca los sitios
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Puntarenas main bus terminal → Hotel Porto Bello
💡 These three-wheeled taxis are quicker through Puntarenas narrow streets. Confirm the price before hopping in — locals usually pay 1,500–2,000 CRC. They’re not suitable for luggage-heavy trips.
San José (Coca-Cola terminal) → Puntarenas main terminal
💡 From hotel, take a short taxi (2 km) to the Puntarenas terminal. Buses are reliable but can be crowded. Bring small bills for exact fare. The air conditioning works on newer coaches.
Puntarenas city centre (Avenida Central stop) → Hotel Porto Bello (beachfront road)
💡 Flag down any bus marked 'Caldera' or 'Barranca' along the coastal road. Tell the driver you want Hotel Porto Bello — they'll drop you near the entrance. Exact coins are preferred.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Hotel Porto Bello, Puntarenas
💡 Use the official airport taxi service (orange cars) from the booth outside arrivals. Avoid unlicensed drivers. Negotiate the fare before you get in — 80,000 CRC is standard for this route.
About Puntarenas
Wikipedia ↗
Puntarenas (Spanish pronunciation: [puntaˈɾenas]) is a city in the Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. As the seat of the Municipality of Puntarenas canton, it is awarded the title of city, which comprises the Puntarenas, Chacarita and El Roble districts. As the city of the firs...
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at finca los sitios?
Request rooms on the second or third floor facing the inland (north) side. The property is a low-rise finca style, so upper floors offer quieter distance from ground-level activity and better airflow. North-facing rooms avoid the coastal road noise from the south.
Which rooms should I avoid at finca los sitios?
Avoid ground-floor rooms, especially those near the entrance or the small car park. At km 24 on the main road, vehicle noise and early morning comings-and-goings from staff or delivery vehicles will disturb sleep. Rooms facing south directly face that road.
Is finca los sitios noisy?
This finca sits directly on the Costanera Sur, a major coastal highway. Expect truck and bus noise from about 5am to 10pm. There's no secondary road buffer. Evening wildlife noise (howler monkeys, birds) is pleasant but can be startling at dawn.
Which rooms have the best views at finca los sitios?
The best view from upper north-facing rooms is of the surrounding hills and palm groves, not the road. South-facing rooms overlook the highway and possibly the Gulf of Nicoya in the distance — but you trade view for constant traffic noise.
What are insider tips for staying at finca los sitios?
1. Check in early (before 2pm) to secure a north-facing upper room — the property may assign rooms on arrival. 2. Bring earplugs or a white noise app: the highway noise is persistent even in 'quieter' rooms. 3. If you drive, park away from the main building wall to avoid engine start-up noise at dawn.
What time is check-in at finca los sitios?
Check-in at finca los sitios is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does finca los sitios have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout with a single network (password given at check-in). Speed around 15 Mbps download, 5 Mbps upload. No premium tier. Login is per device via captive portal.
Is there a city or tourist tax at finca los sitios?
None (Puntarenas does not levy a hotel occupancy tax; a 13% VAT is already included in quoted rates)
Where can I eat cheaply near finca los sitios?
A casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) from a soda costs about 3000 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from finca los sitios?
Local buses cost 300-500 CRC per ride; from San José airport, take a direct bus (about 7000 CRC) rather than a taxi (25,000+ CRC).
When is the best time to visit Puntarenas?
February to April – the dry season is in full swing, skies are blue, and the humidity is lower. Crowds are manageable because most tourists head for the Pacific beaches further south, leaving Puntarenas calm.
Top Attractions in Puntarenas
💡 Rent a bicycle from one of the small shops near the pier (about $3/hour) and ride the full length early in the morning. The stretch near the port has the best sea breezes.
💡 Go an hour before sunset and buy a coconut from the vendors near the entrance. The pier is busiest on weekends but still peaceful in the early morning.
💡 Look up at the painted ceiling panels near the altar. If the church is closed, the surrounding park has benches in the shade and good people-watching.
💡 Entry is 1,500 colones (about $3). The volunteer guides are elderly locals with great stories – ask them about the 1920s banana trade or the 1950 ferry disaster. Allow 30–40 minutes.
💡 Entry is about 4,000 colones (under $8) for adults. Go on a weekday morning to avoid school groups. The outdoor turtle pond is easy to miss – look for it past the main building.