El Roble, North Puntarenas

Visitors to Costa Rica can enjoy many different activities in El Roble de Puntarenas, an alluring town on the country's Central Pacific coast.

Beautiful Beach Destination

Located near the cities of Puntarenas and Playa Herradura, El Roble de Puntarenas is one of Costa Rica's most convenient beach destinations. The town is situated just at 50 minutes driving from Juan Santamaria International Airport, the main gateway in the capital city of San Jose through which foreign travelers enter the country. This gives visitors a chance to lie out on the sand, splash on the shore or hit the waves shortly after they first touch down in Costa Rica, allowing them to more fully enjoy their trip to the beach.

Variety of Accommodations

Travelers also have a range of options when looking for a place to stay in El Roble de Puntarenas, as the town is home to several villas, vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts and even an internationally-branded Doubletree all-inclusive resort.

The Beaches

El Roble de Puntarenas' beaches are known for their beautiful volcanic sand, and several groups have made a concerted effort to ensure that the area's water is clean enough for travelers to swim safely. The government's department of Acueductos y Alcantarillados (Aqueducts and Sewers) has built a water treatment plant in the town, while the Committee of El Roble de Puntarenas recently won an award from the National Ecological Blue Flag Program in honor of its work keeping the beach safe and clean for visitors. Boca Barranca a famous surf spot is located just on the southern end of El Roble at the river mouth of Rio Barranca. Boca Barranca is said to have one of the longest left point breaks, when it's working you can surf the wave almost a kilometer! It is considered the second longest wave in the country, just behind Pavones.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Great Place to Base your Trip

The Central Pacific beach destination also serves as a good base for travelers interested in seeing the region's other major attractions. Many visitors choose to go canopy trekking, birdwatching, rafting, horseback riding, snorkeling and surfing, and popular day trips from El Roble de Puntarenas include Monteverde National Park and Carara Biological Reserve.