Cruises to Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)

290 Reviews
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) (Photo:Galina Savina/Shutterstock)

About Cruising to Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)

Costa Rica is a small country, about the size of West Virginia, but it's got massive appeal as one of the most ecologically diverse places on earth. Cruise itineraries to Costa Rica allow travelers to experience a unique part of the world best explored by ship. Even though Costa Rica covers less than .03 percent of the earth's total surface, you can find nearly five percent of the planet's plant and animal species there. Its location -- between Nicaragua and Panama on the isthmus connecting North and South America, with the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east -- has enabled flora and fauna from both continents to thrive there.



Cruise passengers visiting Costa Rica's Pacific Coast will come ashore in one of two places -- Puerto Caldera, a commercial port serving the nearby seaside town of Puntarenas, and Puntarenas itself. Puntarenas is a lively town that hosts josefinos (residents of the capital city of San Jose) on holiday, as well as international tourists. The main drag, a wide walkway fronting the beach that's jam-packed with places to shop and eat, is even called Paseo de los Turistas -- loosely, "stroll of the tourists."



However, Costa Rica's real draw is its lush, natural beauty and biodiversity -- the "rich coast" after which it is named. Most cruise travelers use Puntarenas as a kickoff point for eco-adventures on the ground (horseback riding or hiking in the rainforest), in the water (kayaking, white-water rafting) and even in the air (zip-lining, an activity which originated here and is now popular throughout the Americas and the Caribbean).

  • More about Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)

  • Why Cruise to Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)?

  • Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Cruise Port Facilities?

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More about Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)

Why Cruise to Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)?

Pros:

The wildlife in Puntarenas is diverse, housing 5 percent of the world's plant and animal species

Cons:

It rains frequently in this rain forest destination

Bottom Line:

This is a great port for outdoor adventures like hiking, kayaking and ziplining

Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Cruise Port Facilities?

Puerto Caldera offers very few facilities for cruise passengers, and there's nothing within walking distance; again, the village of Puntarenas is a 20-minute cab ride from this port. Ships dock opposite a terminal building, at the far end of which are a few souvenir shops and a sitting area with restrooms. You'll be able to pick up gifts -- jewelry, wooden crafts, Costa Rican coffee -- from local vendors but no food or drinks; spring for the bottled water for sale onboard your ship if you'd like to carry something with you.

If your ship docks right in Puntarenas, however, you are steps away from the base of the main tourist drag -- Paseo de los Turistas, which is a wide walkway replete with shopping and dining options that runs parallel to the beach. There's also a cruise terminal across the street from the dock perimeter with restrooms and other facilities, including phone stations. The port offers complimentary shuttle service from the gangway to the main exit if you don't want to walk; it's about 250 yards.

Good to Know?

Petty theft can be a problem; use the same common sense precautions as you would anywhere else in the world. Leave whatever cash and valuables you don't need behind, or conceal them appropriately.

Getting Around?

From Puerto Caldera: The nearest town of interest, Puntarenas, is a 20-minute taxi ride away. The cost at press time was $25 one way for two passengers ($15 for one) or $50 roundtrip -- and the driver will either wait for you or come back for you, collecting payment back at the pier. We recommend taking only "official" taxis, which are always red with a yellow triangle on the door. There's also a colorful bus that offers a two-hour roundtrip guided tour into Puntarenas for $20 per person. The tour offers quick visits to the fish market and local cathedral.



If you aren't interested in going into town, we recommend booking a tour, either on the ship or from an independent operator. Tour operators also show up on the pier to sell to those folks who want to see Puntarenas with a guide or experience eco-tours -- zip-lining, rafting, etc. -- independently from their cruise line's shore excursions department.



From Puntarenas: Ships deposit passengers onto the Paseo de los Turistas, where taxis line up.

Currency & Best Way to Get Money?

The local currency is the Costa Rican colon; on our trip, approximately 540 equaled $1 U.S. However, whether you are visiting for a day or for a few before a cruise, you don't necessarily have to change money; vendors and taxi drivers are happy to accept U.S. dollars. Just note that you'll likely get change in colones -- so you may not want to break big bills. Banks are generally open from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Language?

Spanish is the official language, though taxi drivers and other ticos (locals) working in the tourist areas speak at least some English.

Where You're Docked?

Some ships stop in Puntarenas proper, while others call in Puerto Caldera, a commercial port that's about a 20-minute cab ride away from the town. Both sit on the Pacific Ocean, on the west coast of Costa Rica. Some lines will use Puerto Caldera because it is protected by a windbreak, but both ports offer access to the same attractions and shore tours.


Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera) Cruise Reviews
Went to a jungle safari adventure. It was fun seeing large animals in an open truck being able to feed zebras and giraffes. Read More
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Gilbert N
Beautiful country, kind and generous people, good food and the aireal tram through the jungle a top highlight of all our cruise excursions.Read More
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Laurel20724
The rainforest aerial tram and the crocodile/birdwatching tour on the Tarcoles River made for a great day focused on the natural environment. Only glitch was the tedious and patronizing patter line of the local tour Read More
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kenny654
Love the people and cleanliness of this country Read More
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Capt. George

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