Puntarenas

Some Facts about Puntarenas

Size: 11,277 km2
Population : 360,000
Coordinates: 09¼, 56',55" north and 84¼, 58', 24" west
Borders: North: Alajuela, San José, Limón; East: Alajuela; North West: Guanacaste; South: Pacific Ocean; South East: Panamá
Capital: Puntarenas
Km from Puntarenas to San José: 106 km
Annextion: 1848
Weather: Puntarenas, San Isidro

Cantóns in Puntarenas

Cantón 1: Puntarenas
Cantón 2: Esparza
Cantón 3: Buenos Aires
Cantón 4: Montes de Oro
Cantón 5: Osa
Cantón 6: Aguirre
Cantón 7: Golfito
Cantón 8: Coto Brus
Cantón 9: Parrita
Cantón 10: Corredores
Cantón 11: Garabito

During the preColumbian time, Puntarenas and the surrounding areas of the Gulf of Nicoya, were occupied by the indigenous group called 'Chorotegas'. The central part was occupied by the 'Bruncas' and the southeast by the 'Buricas'. Gil González Dávila discovered the region. In 1720 the name Puntarenas appeared, and in the beginning of the nineteenth Century the governor Don Tomás de Acosta requested the Royal Audience of Guatemala to declare Puntarenas as Port of the Province of Costa Rica. In 1814 it was declared as Major Port of Puntarenas.

General Description

Puntareas stretches along the Pacific Coast with lots of beaches and beach towns and many National Parks like the Manuel Antonio National Park and the Corcovado National Park. It also is the Surfer's Paradise with Hotels in Jacó like the Balcón del Mar that specialize to accommodate surfers.

There are also lots of agricultural and industrial areas, that produce vegetables, roots, corn, coffee, cocoa, tobacco, rice, palm oil, sugar, and beans. Puntarenas is also home of the major fishing industries like Sardimar and some cattle farming.

Some of the most important natural reserves, like the Absolute Natural Reserve of Cabo Blanco and the Wildlife Natural Refuge of Golfito can be found there.

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