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major West Coast Port Terminal and commercial fishing town known as
“The Pearl of the Pacific” for its strategic location, Puntarenas is
where the fishing fleet is housed and the ferries that connect the
mainland to the Nicoya Peninsula operate out of. Commercial fish and
shrimp packaging plants which export and distribute their products
throughout the country can be found here along with a series of Tuna
canning operations. This colorful port town also hosts a municipal
pier where Cruise ships put in during our summer months. The
nightlife here can become frantic at times, especially when the town
hosts a series of yearly Carnivals like “The Virgin of the Sea” in
February where they block off a mile of the beachfront road and
erect bandstands with bars along with numerous food stands. The
opening ceremony for this Carnival is a boat parade and it is quite
a sight to see the fishing fleet leave port and take a ride along
the beach with the commercial Shrimp boats being loaded down with
balloons and passengers hanging off the rails. Everything that
floats joins the parade including the Coast Guard boats which also
participate in this colorful event. These fiestas go on for 3-4 days
and is one hell of a party! Cruise ships that take runs out to Coco
Island with diving enthusiasts from around the World along with
tours to the local islands also put in here. Puntarenas is home to
the major Province government agencies including offices of the
Governor, the Health Department and Federal Tax Agency, to include a
Federal Court. |
