Central Pacific

The Central Pacific Region of Costa Rica is a narrow strip of coastal land that stretches from north of Jaco to south of Manuel Antonio. Sandy beaches and protected wildlife are two primary draws to this area. The magnificent beaches, flanked by spectacular cliffs, create an awe-inspiring landscape; and with its combination of ocean panorama and lush tropical vegetation, Costa Rica?s Central Pacific has scenery unlike any other.

Central Pacific
Central Pacific
Costa Rica
Central Pacific, Costa Rica, Central America

Guided Tours

Horseback Riding

Zip Lines

Boat Tours

Kayaking

Rappel

Rafting

Snorkeling

Nature Walks

Bird Watching

& More

The Central Pacific is one of the most easily accessible regions in Costa Rica. It is no wonder the region remains one of the country's most frequented destinations. Along Coastal Highway 34, the incredible landscape features beaches, national parks, nature reserves, and exotic flora and fauna. World-renowned Manuel Antonio National Park is just one of the region's many points of natural interest. Additionally, ocean stretches along the Central Pacific provide the ultimate setting for water activities such as surfing, sport fishing, and scuba diving.

Lined with stunning mountainous coastline, the Central Pacific generally maintains a more arid climate then on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast. (Nevertheless, bring a rain jacket, as showers in the tropics are always a possibility.) The Central Pacific is also not as humid as the Caribbean Coast or the South Pacific. However, it is more humid than Costa Rica's Nicoya Peninsula to the northwest.

Steep verdant cliffs, swallowed by the vast blue water, and picturesque beaches, gleaming with colorful sunsets, cast spectacular ocean scenery. The breath-taking forests and fascinating mangroves are rich with life. Such diverse natural offerings bring strong allure to Costa Rica's Central Pacific. The region is a short two-hour car ride from San Jose; all its spectacular beauty is just an arm's length away!

Top Attractions

Destinations in Central Pacific

15 destinations

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Costa Rica Attractions

Heres a list of Costa Rica's Amazing Sights and Attractions

Attractions
Destinations
Flora Fauna
Attractions
 

Carara National Park

 

Naranjo River

 

Tarcoles River

 

Manuel Antonio National Park

 

Savegre River

Flora Fauna
 

Rhinoceros Beetle

 

House Gecko

 

Monkey Tail (Guaba chilillo)

 

Glass Frog

 

Common Basilisk

 

Spectacled Caiman

 

Hawksbill Sea Turtle

 

Leatherback Turtle

 

Fishing Bulldog Bat

 

Scarlet Macaw

 

Long-tailed Hermit

 

Boa Constrictor

 

Olingo

 

Common Dolphin

 

Spiny Green Lizard

 

Leaf-Cutter Ant

 

Puma

 

Blue-jeans Frog or Strawberry Poison-dart Frog

 

Millipede

 

Resplendent Quetzal

 

Monarch Butterfly

 

Magnificent Frigatebird

 

Jaguar

 

Green Page Moth

 

Two-Toed Sloth

 

Fer-de-Lance

 

Green Heron

 

Bare-necked Umbrellabird

 

Turquoise-browed Motmot

 

Agouti

 

Ocelot

 

Bottle-nosed Dolphin

 

Coati

 

Red-Eyed Leaf (Tree) Frog

 

American Crocodile

 

Baird's Tapir

 

Owl Butterfly

 

Tonka Bean Tree

 

Keel-billed Toucan

 

Vampire Bat

 

Humpback Whale

 

Barbachele

 

Spider Monkey

 

Ground Anole

 

Brown Pelican

 

Mantled Howler Monkey

 

Tarantula

 

Army Ant

 

Arboreal Termites

 

Giant Toad or Cane Toad

 

Kinkajou

 

Pacific Spotted Dolphin

 

Golden Orb Weaver

 

Great Green Macaw

 

White-Faced or Capuchin Monkey

 

Glasswing Butterfly

 

Armadillo

 

Pink Shower Tree

 

Stinking Toe Tree

 

White Leadtree

 

Fiery-billed Aracari and Collared Aracari

 

Ice Cream Bean Tree

 

Margay

 

Walking Stick

 

Long-tailed Manakin

 

Tayra

 

Green Turtle

 

Brilliant Forest Frog

 

Assassin Bugs and Kissing Bugs

 

Spanish cedar (Cedrela odorata)

 

Common Tink Frog

 

Zopilota

 

Chestnut-mandibled Toucan

 

Narrow-headed Vine Snake

 

Collared Peccary

 

Loggerhead Sea Turtle

 

Oncilla

 

Jaguarundi

 

Orca, Killer Whale

 

Milk Frog

 

Guanacaste Tree (Elephant Ear)

 

Andiroba

 

Black Ctenosaur

 

Helicopter Damselfly

 

Fin Whale

 

Scorpions

 

Cook

 

Black Witch

 

Squirrel Monkey

 

Three-wattled Bellbird

 

Saman (Samanea saman, aka Albizia saman)

 

Blue Morpho

 

Chestnut-headed Oropendola

 

Violet Sabrewing

 

Olive Ridley Sea Turtle

 

Bananaquit

 

Spotted Longwing

 

Three-Toed Sloth

 

Bullet Ant

 

Paca