 With dozens of public and more private beaches lining the coastline, CDM is just 10 minutes from Playa Dona Ana, a beautiful protected cove, with hard-paved road access, security, public bathrooms and restaurants to enjoy. For those times when a family picnic on a more isolated beach is in order, there's Playa Blanca, a beautiful white-sand beach just 15 minutes to the north. Puntarenas has recently renovated over 3 miles of beachfront boulevard and boardwalks adjacent to the cruise ship terminals, which bustling with beach bars, clubs, restaurants and water sport activities like: jet-skiing, para-sailing, boat tours and rentals, sport fishing just to name a few.
Freshly caught seafood is available at a number of beachside restaurants, or daily at the fresh seafood open air markets.
Surfers can enjoy one of the best breaks in the country just a few minutes south of Puntarenas at Boca Barranca, known for its big rolling swells and river-mouth shorebreaks.
Travelers who wish to visit the vast and unspoiled beaches of the northern Pacific coast in Guanacaste, known for some of the best surf spots on the planet, are just a short ferry ride away, thanks to the daily ferry service based on the northern side of town.
For those wishing to explore the islands in the Nicoya Gulf, there are a number of tour operators that offer all-inclusive island-hopping adventures, that include everything from water sports activities along the way to open bar and delicious open-pit barbeque parties on deserted island beaches.
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 Playa Blanca is about 20 minutes from Colinas de Miramar and is between two points of the southwest end of the Gulf of Papagayo. As its name indicates it is a white-sand beach. It is 1km long and from there you can enjoy the view to Monte Barco Beach and Panama Beach. The beaches are drenched in sunshine, this being one of their most valued attractions. The sun shines between 11-12 hours a day during the dry season (December-April). The Blue Flag is the highest recognition that the country offers for quality of its ocean and drinking waters as well as cleanliness of its beaches and level of safety for swimmers. Playa Blanca has held this distinction since 1998 and since 2000, the Costa Rican government also awarded the white sand beach the coveted AAA rating - the highest award for cleanliness and safety. |
 As a place of relaxation and leisure, Puntarenas offers food and drink typical of the area, especially delicacies from the sea. The ceviche from the local market and available in restaurants and hotels is famous. Besides swimming, visitors can enjoy other water sports and activities, such as boat tours. Parades, seaside concerts and many other recreational activities create an ideal environment for sharing culture with the people of Puntarenas. The carnival takes place in February, during the dry season—perfect weather for enjoying the beach and all the carnival’s events. |
 Near the mouth of the Río Barranca is popular with surfers. Its small size, vegetation, scenery and tourist facilities make Doña Ana an ideal place to enjoy the ocean. Doña Ana beaches stretch along Puntarenas’ entire coast between the mouth of the Río Barranca and the place known as La Punta ("The Point"), where this extensive length of shoreline ends. The area between the wharf (Cruise Ship Terminal) and La Punta is the preferred place for swimmers, better known as Doña Ana beach. |
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