Punta Leona Costa Rica is located on the Central Pacific in the province of Puntarenas. Punta Leona is among Costa Rica’s most important nature reserves and protects nearly 800 acres of pristine forest. It divides the dry forests of the north and the rainforests of the south. This means there are a wider variety of wildlife to be spotted in this little area.
Calling all bird watchers! There are a large number of birds to spot in this area like Toucans, Hummingbirds, Quetzals, and Macaws. Another frequent visitor is the White Nosed Coati – this curious creature is very similar to a raccoon but with a longer nose and different colors. Also, keep your eyes open for monkeys! Several different monkey species live here including the Spider Monkey, Howler Monkey and the White-Faced Capuchin.
Birding is a very popular thing to do here simply because of this natural divide, Bird species of both the dry forest area of Guanacaste and the tropical rainforest area of the Central Pacific mix together. This makes for a unique collection of flora and fauna and you get a plethora of exotic birds to spot. Punta Leone also has a stunning, white sand beach surrounded by lush vegetation.
There are several sport fishing tours available during the dry season from December to April you will have an amazing amount of marine life just off the Central Pacific coast. Fish like the Marlin, Sailfish, Yellow Fin Tuna, and Dorado all crowd in this region due to the oxygen rich waters.
Carara National Park borders Punta Leona and is a great place to spot birds as well as crocodiles. The Tarcoles River is famous for its hundreds of crocodiles relaxing in the sun. The Central Pacific also features some of Costa Rica’s most iconic beaches such as Jaco and Playa Hermosa. A bit further south, you will encounter the Manuel Antonio National Park. It may be one of the smaller parks in Costa Rica, but it is famous for its high density of wildlife. If you want to stay within the area and visit more remote beaches like Punta Leona, spend an afternoon and the beautiful Playa Blanca.
Visit between December and March: The Costa Rica dry season is the perfect time for you to enjoy those long, sunny days.
Prepare for a bird watching adventure: If you are a passionate birder, don’t forget to bring your camera, binoculars and birder guide!
Beach hop and visit national parks: One of the best things about Punta Leona, is the wide variety of options available to you. You can visit the other beaches in the Central Pacific side or indeed visit the national parks of Carara and Manuel Antonio. Such amazing places to scratch off your list!
The ride form San Jose to Punta Leona will take you around 1 hour and 40 minutes. You can arrange for shared shuttles, the more economical option, or go for private transportation. You also have the possibility of renting a car upon arrival. Renting a car in Costa Rica means that you can enjoy that extra bit of freedom while you explore the Central Pacific.
Punta Leone is a rather remote location and one that isn’t full of restaurants. Next to the dining options at your hotel, you can visit nearby beach communities like Herradura and Jaco. In Herradura, pay a visit to the unique Amphitheater Restaurant for amazing seafood dishes as well as Costa Rican and international cuisine. Playa Jaco has a very large selection of restaurants to choose from but if you feel a craving for high end sushi, pay a visit to Ohana Sushi Tapas Bar.
The Los Sueños Marriot is located at Herradura This resort is most famous for having a fully operational Marina to cater to all your fishing and sailing needs. The Hotel Villa Caletas close to Jaco is a stunning beachfront property where guests can enjoy some of the best ocean views or relax by the swimming pool. Lastly, why not stay close by Punta Leona at the Hotel Punta Leona and enjoy the beach club as well as the large variety of rooms, suites, and condos you can choose from.
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