Coronado, South Puntarenas

Coronado is a great destination for travelers in Costa Rica who are interested in enjoying spectacular views of the mountains as well as the ocean.

Remote & Beautiful

Situated in the southern part of province of Puntarenas near the town of Ojochal, Coronado has one of the most unique settings in Costa Rica. The destination features elements of each of the landscapes that make the Central American country an ecotourism paradise - here, travelers can experience gorgeous views of towering mountains, the rushing water of the Coronado River and the sparkling waves of the Pacific Ocean.

Getting to Coronado

Tourists can most easily reach Coronado by road. From the Costa Rican capital city of San José, travelers can get to Coronado by taking a four-hour drive along mountain roads. Meanwhile, visitors arriving in Coronado from the seaside city of Jacó must drive for three and a half hours south along the new coastal highway that runs down the western shore of Costa Rica.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Great Base to Explore more of Costa Rica

Coronado's spectacular natural beauty makes it a terrific destination in and of itself, but its convenient location makes it a great base from which travelers can explore other major attractions that lie along Costa Rica's Southern Pacific Coast. In particular, Coronado provides visitors with easy access to some of the region's best beaches. Tourists may want to visit Playa Ventanas, which is famous for a series of caves carved into the coastal cliffs by the waves; Playa Tortuga, which has amazing views of the ocean; Playa Piñuela, where they can snorkel in a dazzling reef; and Playa Ballena, which is known for its serene beauty. Another popular beach is Playa Uvita, where visitors can walk out to a rock formation known as the Whale's Tail during low tide.

Another major attraction near Coronado is Marino Ballena National Park. Here, visitors can relax as they take in the stunning ocean scenery. The true star of the reserve, however, is its marine wildlife. Five different colorful coral reefs sit just off the coast of the park, and the attraction's waters are also home to sea turtles, bottlenose dolphins and humpback whales, which are common sights during migration season. In addition, travelers may be able to spot other species such as melon-headed whales and sperm whales.