Natural Wonders In Jaco Beach

In 1502, Costa Rica was found by Christopher Columbus, when he arrived near Puerto Limón on the Atlantic shore.  He was greeted by indigenous people decked out in gold ornaments. Believing he had discovered a land of vast wealth, he named it "Costa Rica", which means "Rich Coast".Twelve bio-zones, thousands of plants, flowers and butterflies will draw you towards this country's great natural beauty. This land of mountain ranges, exotic wildlife, rainforests, lowland jungles, dramatic pacific coastline and tranquil Caribbean beaches make Costa Rica a perfect destination for nonstop adventure.

Costa Rica is bordered to the north by Nicaragua and to the south by Panama.

The country is made up of seven provinces: San Jose, Cartago, Alajuela, Heredia, Guanacaste, Puntarenas & Limon.

Costa Rica is easy to visit and combining a few areas is a great way to get to know this country better!

Jaco Beach has seen huge growth within the last 3 years. The population has nearly doubled.

There is a new Rainforest Tram to cater to the cruise lines and tourists. For the sports enthusiast one can find their maximum thrill, fishing, surfing, biking, hiking, bird watching or a canopy tour. At the end of the day one can find beautiful sunsets and oft-times concerts or plays in establishments around Jaco.

Right now Jaco has over 110 restaurants and other nightspots, offering from the typical Tico plates to the dining of the finest culinary accredited chefs. Cuisines from seafood dishes or Asian fusion to Peruvian, you can find a variety to please everyone's palate.

The principal attractions are on the Pacific coast itself (were Jaco Beach is located). The islands located in the Gulf of Nicoya are within the boundaries of this province as well as part of the Tilaran and Talamanca Mountain Ranges. It was once considered the honeymoon capital of Costa Rica.The Central Pacific's largest city, Puntarenas City sits on a long, narrow peninsula in the Gulf of Nicoya. For years, it was the country's principal port, and though a newer port in nearby Caldera now handles cargo and Puntarenas the cruise ships, a large fishing fleet still anchors in the estuary behind town.

Being the country’s most important fishing port, Puntarenas is the perfect place to enjoy fresh seafood, be it camarones al ajillo (shrimp scampi), pescado entero (a whole fried fish), or ceviche de corvina (bits of fresh fish marinate in lime juice with onions, peppers and spices).

Within a half-hour of the port, tropical jungles give up their secrets to the casual observer. Trees flash with color as macaws, toucans, and parakeets take flight and howler monkeys scream in the distance. In the capital city of San José, you'll find museums, theaters and a selection of handmade wood crafts.

The closest beach resort to San Jose,  Puntarenas features striking and unusual black sand beaches.  A great starting point for day trips to the Monteverde Cloud forest or the Gulf of Nicoya.