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Puntarenas: Travel guide, prices and free housing · 2026

Puntarenas is a city in the Puntarenas Province, on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica.

Puntarenas · CC BY-SA 4.0

Now in the cityPuntarenas+24°CCloudy · sunrise 05:30 AMupdated 05:37 AM
EntryPick a passportThe answer depends on the passport.
Places on the map3
Exchange rate₡454.92per 1 $CRC — the local currencyas of Nov 2, 2026
Within two hours
Puntarenas in pictures19 photos · 2 places
Estadio Lito Pérez
Jonathinx · cc-by-3.0 · Aug 31, 2010
Estadio Lito Pérez
Andrés Berrocal Soto · cc-by-sa-3.0 · May 31, 2009
Estadio Lito Pérez
Andrés Berrocal Soto · cc-by-sa-3.0 · May 31, 2009
Estadio Lito Pérez
Andrés Berrocal Soto · cc-by-sa-3.0 · May 31, 2009

Getting there and staying

2 sources · As of November 3, 2026
Source: TravelHub · OurAirports (public domain)

Visa and practicalities

Choose a passport

Set your passport — processing time, fee and documents differ between passports.

Internships, au pair and study programmes have a different visa category and a different set of documents. Applications go through CMO International Programmes.

IEC international programmes

Safety and health

Safety · official adviceour data as of Nov 3, 2026
UK Foreign Office (FCDO)No restrictionsNo travel restrictions in force.
Full text

Updated information on customs rules; gang-related violence; fines for unauthorised entry into restricted conservation areas and earthquakes and recent volcanic activity ('Entry requirements' and 'Safety and security' pages).

US State DepartmentLevel 2Watch your surroundings and belongings more closely than usual.
  • crime
Full text

Exercise increased caution in Costa Rica due to crime. Petty crime is common throughout Costa Rica. Violent crime also affects tourists. This includes armed robbery, homicide, and sexual assault.

Source: UK FCDO Foreign Travel Advice · US Department of State Travel Advisory

Getting here

Getting hereOurAirports (public domain)
La Fortuna Arenal Airport FON61 km away — the nearest airport
Juan Santamaría International Airport SJO69 km from the centre
Tobías Bolaños International Airport SYQ77 km from the centre

Stay longer on a programme

Work and Travel, internships, au pair and volunteering in Costa Rica: visa, invitation and on-site support are handled by CMO International Programmes.

1programme in the country
volunteeringupdated Mar 12, 2026
Volunteer in Costa Rica
Seasonyear-roundLanguageEnglish, Spanish · B2
any · for students
workandtravel.com

Similar nearby

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Frequent questions about Puntarenas

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