Rainforest or coffee plantation? Jungle tram or zip line? Pontoon boat to see crocodiles or a city tour? We only had one day at the Puntarenas Costa Rica cruise port, and we had to choose.
Tempted by the lure of a rainforest teeming with exotic wildlife for us, coffee won out. But we talked to many people on the ship, and it turns out either choice was a good one.
Both are discussed below, along with a few other options for things to do from the Puntarenas Costa Rica cruise port.
Costa Rica cruise port: Best things to do in Puntarenas
Surrounded by islands, inlets, beaches, and natural treasures, the actual town of Puntarenas is quite small. In fact, it’s easily accessible by walking off the cruise ship. However, you will need transportation to get out to the jungle, coffee plantations, cloud walks, or even the capital city of San Jose.
Nearly all of the excursions begin with a relaxing drive through the countryside. A guide will take this opportunity to highlight some of Costa Rica’s history, along with pointing out its exotic flora and fauna, mango, sugar and citrus plantations, colourful fruit stands, rural farming communities, and miles of pristine landscapes.
Top things to do in Puntarenas as a Costa Rica cruise port
- Visit a coffee plantation
- Choose a wildlife viewing and rainforest exploration
- Learn how Sarchi oxcarts are made
- Stroll through San Jose, Costa Rica’s capital city
- Enjoy the beach
Visit a Coffee Plantation
Although Costa Rica produces only 1% of the world’s coffee, they have an excellent reputation for quality. This is due in part to a law requiring that only Arabica beans are grown, thus maintaining quality.
We opted for a half-day excursion to Espiritu Santo Coffee Plantation that included a visit to the Sarchi oxcart craft town.
Espiritu Santo is actually a co-op that started in 1968. Today it consists of 2,300 farmers on 247 hectares.
Here, we discovered the bean-growing process
- Plants grow from beans in pots for the first year before being transplanted to an orchard. Significant yield begins after three years and a plant’s lifetime is 25 years.
- The rainy season brings jasmine-smelling white flowers that turn black leaving a small coffee bean behind.
- Once mature, the berry turns red and is ready for hand-picking.
- Paid by the basket, the average picker gathers about ten baskets (12kg each) per day. However, the fastest can fill 25 baskets.
- Removing the flesh of the coffee berry within 24 hours of picking avoids fermentation.
- The centre bean is then dried either by heat for 28 hours or by air (for much longer). Air drying produces a higher quality bean.
- Beans are placed in 46kg sacks.
Sampling coffee made the traditional way
Although our visit started with a fabulous coffee sample, after following the process, the traditional coffee made using a chorreador seemed even better.
Here, our guide poured simmering water through ground coffee held in a fabric filter. This allows the oils to come through, enhancing the flavour.
Sarchi oxcarts
Brightly coloured, hand-painted oxcarts once carried coffee from the growing fields. Traditionally passed down through the generations, they are a form of Costa Rican folk art.
We visited the oxcart factory in Sarchi, a town known throughout Costa Rica as the birthplace of oxcart craftsmen.
Located on the outskirts of San Jose, it’s a great add-on to any coffee, chocolate, or capital city tour.
Wildlife viewing and rainforest walks
With over half a million different animal species in Costa Rica (300,000 of which are insects), it’s hard to go into the rainforest and not see very many. But it does happen.
In fact, on the rainy day that we were there, one of the groups got stuck in the mud for a while, reducing their rainforest time and ultimately leaving them with a non-interesting story to share.
To increase the likelihood of seeing specific animals, you might want to visit one of the wildlife centres or take a focused excursion.
Wildlife, rainforest, and other nature-based adventures from this Costa Rica cruise port
The key wildlife and rainforest options are:
- Spot crocodiles from a cruise on the Tarcoles River
One of the world’s largest crocodile habitats makes for a fascinating pontoon cruise. - Take a Walk in the Clouds
This is a canopy walk on a series of suspension bridges. - Relax in the hot springs and view Arenal volcano
While many visitors find the views of one of the world’s most active volcanoes to be the highlight here, for me, it is the natural mineral hot springs created by geothermal activity. - Visit the Costa Rica Animal Rescue Center
Here, injured or otherwise harmed endangered wildlife get shelter, food and medical attention. The goal is always rehabilitation and release. Employing mostly volunteers, the center is in Turrucares.
Combine Puntarenas Costa Rica cruise port options with a tour
If you want to do it all, you can, or at least get close. Here are a few top-rated options:
Monteverde Cloud Forest and coffee tour shore excursion
The eight-hour excursion includes crossing six suspension bridges at Monteverde Cloud Forest, a typical Costa Rican lunch, and a coffee plantation tour. You will discover what lives and grows at some of the higher altitudes while you enjoy the incredible diversity at this Costa Rica cruise port. Then enjoy a Don Juan Coffee tour. Reserve your Cloud Forest and coffee tour here.
Puntarenas highlights 6 in 1 shore excursion
This one gives you a good taste of the area. The highlight is the riverboat cruise with a professional naturalist tour guide on the Tarcoles River. In addition to crocodiles, he will point out many of the 320 bird species in the area. You will also visit Carara National Park, Villa Lapas Reserve’s eco SkyWalk, and shop at El Jardin. Reserve your 6-in-1 excursion here.
Tortuga Island full-day boat trip
This 7-hour adventure will bring you to the white sand beach of Isla Tortuga for a day of reef snorkelling, spider monkeys and dolphin watching, seeing the Nicoya Stone Arch and enjoying lunch in a private beach club. Reserve your Tortuga Island boat trip here.
Or take a private tour
Private highlights tour (price is per person)
Your private guide will meet you at the port and take you to Puerto Caldero to see the white-faced monkeys, Tarcolas River for a tropical fruit smoothy, shopping, and a boat ride to spot crocodiles, and give you a city tour of Puntarenas. Reserve your private highlights tour here.
Explore San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica
San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, is a 1.5-hour drive from the Puntarenas Costa Rica cruise port.
Travelling through emerald valleys, residential areas, rural landscapes, and past the national stadium, I was mesmerized by continuous beautiful scenery. San Jose is the ideal excursion destination for those looking for history, culture, shopping, or those who simply don’t like being in the jungle.
Many consider the National Theater of Costa Rica (Teatro Nacional de Costa Rica) to be the highlight of their visit to the city. Its graceful, neoclassical architecture, marble foyer, and stunning ceilings make it one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful buildings.
Stroll along streets in the Puntarenas Costa Rica cruise port area
After returning from our excursion, we had enough remaining time to either head to the beach or explore the easily walked town of Puntarenas.
In addition to downtown, we opted to stroll to the main commercial fishing area, which is on a water inlet about five blocks from the beach (walk along Calle Central).
Here we found a number of seafood restaurants, and despite temptation, we headed back to the town, went into the Catedral de Puntarenas (built in the 1800s), and then stopped at a grocery store as we always find them to be a window into local culture.
Pick up souvenirs at the market
Before returning to the ship, we took a bit of time to shop at the local market set up along the Esplanade just outside this Costa Rica cruise port. I am pretty sure this is only here on the days there are cruise ships.
More on this Costa Rica cruise port
- Bring and use insect repellant as mosquitos are present during the daytime.
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Costa Rican Colon, but many street vendors also accept US Dollars.
- Costa Rica was one of several ports on a cruise from Florida to Vancouver that passed through the Panama Canal. If you’re cruising in the region, don’t miss these 25 tips for cruising.
If you are thinking about cruising, check out the latest deals at Princess Cruises.
Read next: 20 Picturesque Cruise Ship Ports Around the World
Don’t miss our best cruise tips
More tips and resources for your cruise
Below are our go-to companies when we cruise. We believe this list to be the best in each category. You can’t go wrong using them on your trip too.
- Cruise: We find great deals at Cruise Direct.
- Flights: we use Expedia for the best and cheapest flight options.
- Accommodations: we use Booking.com (hotels), VRBO (self-contained), or Hostelworld (budget).
- Cars (gas or electric): we use RentalCars to search for deals and dealer ratings.
- Set up private guides at the ports: Looking to maximize our limited time at a port, we often hire private guides.
- Travel Insurance: while not required, we always opt for travel insurance and start at InsureMyTrip to compare coverage plans.
Check out our travel resources page for more companies that we use when you travel.
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Photo Credits:
All photos on this page are either shot by our team and watermarked as such or stock images from Depositphotos.
Thomas
Went on this exact excursion off of the Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam. The coffee samples were great. My favorite part about Sarchi was seeing the equipment used to make the cart that are powered by a water wheel. I do not roast my coffee beans, but I do grind my beans (fair trade/organic) every morning. My only issue with Espรญritu Santo Coffee Plantation is that they are not Fair trade or organic and avoided questions about it. But again the fresh coffee samples were good.
Barbara Radisavljevic
I don’t drink coffee, but still think it’s interesting to see how it’s grown and processed. You did a great job showing me that.
Joyce Lansky
The carts are pretty, but I’d like to sample the coffee the best.
Rhonda Albom
Me too.
Paula McInerney
As total coffee snobs, our life is devoted to pursuing coffee. We did go through a coffee plantation and did the tastings in Indonesia, and also did one is Australia. Love the photo of the red wagon
Rhonda Albom
I can’t wait until you come here and try a cuppa made by hubby. He roasts his own beans. Perfection in a cup everyday. I am a spoiled coffee snob.
Deborah/Mom2Michael
What an interesting experience! I’ve been to a roasting facility, but never to a plantation.
Rhonda Albom
My hubby roasts our own coffee, so we tend to visit lots of coffee roasting facilities. This was actually our second plantation, the first being in Australia just before I started travel blogging.
Sue
No I’ve never been to a coffee plantation. that looks amazing thanks for sharing ๐
Rhonda Albom
It is pretty amazing.
Travelera
Wonderful trip! I have not been in a coffee plantation, Id love to visit one!
xxx
Rhonda Albom
Oh, I hope you get to one some day.
Bill
Love my coffee and have to make some Ground Coffee everyday, the instant stuff just does not cut it. I love how lady is pouring the water into a Teapot.
Rhonda Albom
LOL – I don’t even think of instant as coffee.
Gattina
Must have been a very interesting visit ! I love coffee and like to taste different sorts.
Rhonda Albom
As a coffee lover, it was VERY interesting, and yummy!
Pat
What an interesting place to visit! I would also love to tour a coffee plantation and taste coffee at its freshest.
Rhonda Albom
There is nothing quite like the really fresh coffee.
Marie Moody
What a wonderful Post you have here today. I would love, love, love to taste that coffee straight from the bean. Yummy! Thanks for sharing.
Rhonda Albom
Wish I could have shared the flavours and aromas here too.
Indah Nuria Savitri
Coming from Lampung, Sumatera, Indonesia, I have come to coffee plantations several times indeed. Looks like you’re having a great time indeed
Rhonda Albom
Thank you. The coffee plantation visit was very interesting.
Star Traci
How cool! I would love to visit a coffee plantation. I think it’s wonderful to see where the things we love and use every day come from. What a neat experience.
๐
Traci
Rhonda Albom
I agree. I like seeing the whole process and I especially like the end result – a coffee.
Alex J. Cavanaugh
Only two dollars a basket? That means most make ten dollars a day. That’s not much.
Interesting. I never knew the process of preparing beans.
Rhonda Albom
They also get free housing but it’s still not much.
Hilary
Hi Rhonda – what great photos and notations … thanks to you both – fascinating … cheers Hilary
Joy @MyTravelingJoys
Looks like a pretty cool tour! I haven’t been to a proper coffee plantation yet, but we did meet the civets in Bali where they get the “Kopi Luwak coffee” from! I recall buying a small bag of coffee beans, but I still don’t see what the big deal is…for basically cat poop coffee. ๐
Rhonda Albom
I agree.It’s just a good story (and fun to watch the faces of people who drink it).
Andrea
Our province is known to have started coffee in this country, so i am so accustomed to them. As kids we also have coffee plants and traditional coffee pots always brewing in the kitchen. These days our old plants have died due to neglect, and i always buy my coffee from stores. But sometimes my weekends at home coincide with flowering of some leftover plants, and i certainly miss those scents together with the wind reaching us in the house. That certainly is nostalgic. Sadly, at the moment i have only a cup of instant coffee!
Rhonda Albom
You are very lucky. We love the smell of roasting coffee (some of our neighbours don’t hold the same appreciation ๐ )
Comedy Plus
Oh yes, Kona Coffee on the big island of Hawaii. It was most wonderful and the coffee was ever so good.
Have a fabulous day and a good trip south. ๐
Rhonda Albom
Yes, I’ve had Kona coffee in Kona many years ago. It was wonderful.