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Central Pacific Coast

Why Go? ...... 353 Stretching from the rough-and-ready port of Puntarenas to Parque Nacional . the tiny town of Uvita, the central Pacific coast is home to Carara...... 356 both wet and dry tropical rainforests, sun-drenched sandy beaches and a healthy dose of wildlife. On shore, national Playa Herradura. . . . . 359 parks protect endangered squirrel monkeys and scarlet ma- Jacó...... 360 caws, while offshore waters are home to migrating whales Playa Hermosa. . . . 3. 70 and pods of dolphins. ...... 373 With so much biodiversity packed into a small geograph- Parque Nacional . ic area, it’s no wonder the coastal region is often thought Manuel Antonio. . . . .387 of as in miniature. Given its close proximity to Dominical...... 392 San José and the Central Valley and highlands, and its well- developed system of paved roads, this part of the country is Uvita...... 397 a favorite weekend getaway for domestic and international Parque Nacional . travelers. Marino Ballena...... 399 While threats of unregulated growth and environmental Ojochal Area...... 400 damage are real, it’s also important to see the bigger picture, namely the stunning nature that first put the central Pacific coast on the map. Best Places to Eat ¨¨Citrus (p406) When to Go ¨¨Exotica (p406) ¨¨West of the Cordillera Central, rains fall heavily between ¨¨Graffiti (p367) April and November. The hillsides are particularly lush ¨¨Sabor Español (p403) and green during this time ¨ ¨¨Tropical Sushi (p376) ¨In summer (December to March) little rain falls, leaving the countryside dry and barren looking. ¨¨Festival fans will want to visit from around mid- Out-of-the-Way January to late February, when music and art gatherings Beaches light up Jacó and Uvita. ¨¨Matapalo (p395) ¨¨Playa Colonia (p401) ¨¨Playa Esterillos (p371) ¨¨Playa Hermosa (p370) ¨¨Playa Palo Seco (p376) Seco

Parrita

Playa Palo

Atenas

. Reserva Indígena Zapatón flying

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of Zona Protectora Cerro Atenas

(p405)

squawking

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sophisticated

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34

Bijagual Playa Playa Hermosa Jacó Hermosa Tárcoles & Valor Playa Tivives (p370)

beach Playa (p397) Refugio Nacional de (p362),

Mata de Limón Barranca . Punta Leona . 30km the Herradura

Boca Barranca 1 Jacó

how

of Puerto

Caldera urfing 20 miles Ana Dominical

S ya Hermosa ya eaks Chacarita arning br Pla and le 2 17 Reserva Biológica Islas Negritos Playa Doña O C E A N P A C I F I C Reserva Biológica Isla Guayabo Refugio Nacional de Refugio Nacional Vida Silvestre Curú

Golfo de Nicoya

at Isla San Lucas

Ferry and Isla Tortuga of

Puntarenas

.. Ferry sloths

pelicans troops

Curú lazy

Paquera (p389)

brown Playa

Playa Tambor eys,

0 0 Naranjo W atching Lepanto Reserva Absoluta Nicolás Wessburg arque Nacional Manuel arque Central Pacific Coast Highlights 1 Antonio P monk gliding Pochote

Montezuma Tambor

Península Cabuya de Nicoya

cific CoastReserva Natural Absoluta Cabo Blanco P acific Coast Highlights

Central Pa 350