Puntarenas, Costa Rica Over 100,000 people live on the peninsula and the surrounding area. Its port is called Caldera and is one of the oldest ports in the country. Puntarenas is 60 miles from the capital of Costa Rica, San José. It is San José's closest coastal town. Christopher Columbus arrived in 1502 in the Nicoya Peninsula. Columbus is regarded as the person who named this region Costa Rica, "Rich Coast." He thought it would bring him and Spain riches from gold and other valuable commodities found in neighboring countries of Mexico, Nicaragua and Panama. Unfortunately, that was not the case for Costa Rica in terms of gold and silver to be found. The Nahuatl and Chibcha cultures were living in the region at that time, but like other indigenous people they were susceptible to diseases, mostly smallpox and poor treatment and torment by the Spanish conquistadors. Puntarenas is the providence and capital of this section of Costa Rica. Geographically, it is a peninsula that is between the Pacific Ocean and the Gulf of Nicoya. Its name was first referenced on February 13, 1720 by an English pirate named John Chipperton. He recorded the name "Punta de Arena" in his journal when he arrived. He was referring to the needle like point that Puntarenas' peninsula has, in English "Sand Point."
Why is Costa Rican coffee the best? " Costa Rica is the only country in the world where it is actually illegal to produce any type of coffee other than 100% Arabica—the highest quality of coffee beans. A law was passed in 1989 prohibiting the planting of low‐quality beans, encouraging Costa Rican farmers to pursue true excellence. Arabica beans are a specific variety of beans that is more difficult to grow than other, hardier stocks. The result when the beans mature is rich, full‐bodied flavors leading to premium blends. In Costa Rica we take growing coffee seriously and so we only want to offer you the best. That’s why we only grow Arabica. Arabica coffee beans come from delicate plants that need specific climate conditions to thrive, including high altitude and mild temperatures. In Costa Rica, the mountainous regions and warm temperatures provide the perfect environment for growing the highest quality Arabica beans." Hand‐picked beans in Costa Rica's 8 coffee growing regions throughout the country have an individual flavor. "Costa Rica is committed to a sustainable and ethical growing practice."
Sources: Onboard presentation of Costa Rica and Puntarenas, Guided tour of Puntarenas and surroundings, https://www.entercostarica.com/travel‐ guide/about‐costa‐rica/history, https://thelawdictionary.org/free‐port/, https://www.tourismincostarica.org/puntarenas, https://kuscholarworks.ku.edu/bitstream/handle/1808/4508/Melton_ku_0099D_10009_DATA_1.pdf;sequence=1 , https://www.ancient‐ origins.net/history‐ancient‐traditions/nahuatl‐language‐0010476, http://explorecr.blogspot.com/2012/11/ciudad‐de‐puntarenas‐o‐puerto‐de.html, https://www.lonelyplanet.com/costa‐rica/central‐pacific‐coast/puntarenas, https://www.cafebritt.com/experience‐britt/coffee‐101/5‐reasons‐why‐Costa‐ rican‐coffee‐is‐the‐best and https://www.entercostarica.com/travel‐guide/about‐costa‐rica/history. acuri.net John R. Vincenti Puntarenas, Costa Rica