Paquera is mostly known by travelers as the place where the ferry lands from Puntarenas. The large majority of tourists just drive through Paquera on their way to Montezuma, Santa Teresa, or Tambor. This is probably because the beaches are generally nicer in those towns, and of course the surf is better.

Yet Paquera has a lot to offer. Its tranquil waters are great for sea kayaking and boating. There are a couple of great marshy mangrove areas, many beautiful beaches that are safe for swimming at any time. There are waterfalls, national parks, and beautiful wildlife reserve islands. The oceans here are teaming with life, so fishing is excellent.

The best part, for many, is that the influence of foreign tourists is much less here, so you will get much more of a feeling of the authentic “real” Costa Rica here, as it was dozens of years ago before so many people moved to the area from the U.S., Canada, and Europe. The melting-pot cultures of Montezuma and Santa Teresa are wonderful in their own way, but not everyone is looking for that.

So, read the articles below about what’s in Paquera if you’re interested in checking out this wonderful part of the Southern Nicoya Peninsula.

Paquera Articles

• Playa Organos One of the best-kept secrets of the Southern Nicoya Peninsula is Playa Organos, which is a 10-15 minute drive from the ferry terminal between Puntarenas and Paquera. The beach is one of the few of the area that’s authentic and natural, which has its upsides and downsides. The upside of course is that there’s a …

• Curú National Wildlife Refuge Curú National Wildlife Refuge, known in Costa Rica as “Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú” is the best park in the southern Nicoya peninsula. It offers scuba diving, a beautiful white sand beach, tons of wild animals including two reintroduction programs, cabinas for rent, mangrove swamps, hiking trails, and much more. Unfortunately, most tourists zip …

• Bahia Rica’s Three Day Sea Kayaking Adventure Just around the corner from where the ferry lands in Paquera, you can find Bahia Rica’s lodge. This is a very remote part of Costa Rica and the Southern Nicoya Peninsula, yet it’s easy to get to. From the lodge you can easily walk down to a beach which is nearly private. …