Weekend in Puntarenas

The main coastal promenade, a wide paved walkway lined with almond trees, benches, and sculptures. It runs parallel to the beach for about 2 km and connects the pier to the port ar

Tip: 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.

A long wooden pier stretching into the Gulf of Nicoya, where locals fish, jog, and watch spectacular sunsets. The views across to Isla del Coco and the Nicoya Peninsula are excelle

Tip: 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.

A modest but atmospheric yellow-and-white cathedral built in the 1850s, overlooking the main square. Its simple wooden interior and coastal-style architecture reflect the town's seafaring history.

Tip: 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.

A small maritime museum inside the old port captain's office, displaying nautical artefacts, old photographs of the port's glory days, and models of ships that once sailed from here.

Tip: 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.

A public aquarium and natural history museum showcasing Pacific marine life, with touch tanks, a shark pool, and exhibits on Costa Rica's coastal ecosystems. Small but well-kept.

Tip: 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.