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The Coast and Nature, just a few hours away.
Just a few hours away from the capital city is the Central Pacific region, the closest beach area to San José. The area offers beach amusement centers and popular places to practice surf and sport fishing, as well as tropical forests rich in wildlife species, islands full of exotic vegetation, fishing towns and endless stretches of soft sand beach, ideal for those who wish to rest. The lodging and cuisine are equally diverse, due to the existence of some of Costa Rica's best boutique hotels, as well as international hotels.
The observation of wildlife is one of the region's most attractive activities. Two hours from the capital, in Carara National Park, lies one of the country's largest populations of scarlet macaws, which can be observed at sunrise or at sunset. The park itself constitutes a biological jewel by representing a transition area between the Pacific humid forest and the dry forest. Nearby the delta of the Rio Tárcoles, has become a must stop to observe, enormous crocodiles resting beside the river banks.
Continuing along the coastal highway, its possible to observe the endless lines of African palm, whose oil is used in cosmetics and other products. These Palms show the way to one of the most visited national parks in the country: Manuel Antonio, home of numerous wildlife species such as the small Titi monkey and the capuchino monkey. (white face?monkey) The park offers the opportunity to explore its tropical humid forest, its mangroves, islands and marine life.
Many of the region's beaches are ideal to surf on, such is the case of Esterillos, Jacó, Hermosa, Boca Barranca and the beaches that skirt Puerto Caldera.

On the other hand, Puntarenas, the largest city in the region, offers visitors its port atmosphere. Puntarenas is literally a point of sand that points toward the Gulf of Nicoya and one of the main areas for the arrival of cruises and ships. The city possesses the only marine park of the country and is considered the best place in Costa Rica for the realization of international biathlons. It also has many festivities such as the carnivals, in February, and the Festival Virgin of the Sea in July.
Anchored in the Gulf of Nicoya, the Guayabo, Negritos, Pájaros and Tortuga islands offer those who navigate their proximities, a natural display in which large flocks of frigate birds, brown pelicans, and parrots and the stand out. Isla Tortuga is one of the most visited destinations due to its white sand beach and natural landscape.
After crossing the Gulf of Nicoya hidden beaches, waterfalls and wildlife preserves areas such as the Reserva Absoluta Cabo Blanco, offer the visitor a variety of activities to enjoy.

In the Pacific lies an island that marks the furthest reach of the country at 535 kilometers from Cabo Blanco, rises the Coco's Island, declared by UNESCO, a Patrimony of Humanity. A former refuge for pirates and treasure legends, Coco's invaluable wealth resides in its natural life, especially the marine life that presents abundant species of great attractiveness for divers, such as hammerhead sharks, marine mammals and the coral reefs.