Manuel Antonio Canopy Tour - Longest Twin Zip Line in Central America
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From USD 90.00
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At a glance
Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast begins where the Caldera Highway (Route 27) meets the sea — at Puntarenas and the Río Tárcoles estuary — and runs south through Jacó and Quepos to Manuel Antonio. This is the Pacific coast most directly accessible from San José: roughly two hours on the expressway that opened through the mountains in 2010, which effectively brought the Central Pacific within day-trip range of the capital and transformed Jacó from a weekend retreat to a permanent tourism corridor.
Tárcoles marks the northern entry: a river delta known for its American crocodile population, visible from the bridge on Route 27, and the territory of the Great Green Macaw — one of the most endangered parrots in the Americas. Jacó is the main surf town: developed, dense, and busy, with a long grey-sand beach and a well-established service infrastructure. Herradura, just north of Jacó, holds the Los Sueños resort and marina — the primary sportfishing hub on the Central Pacific. South of Jacó: Esterillos stretches across several beach communities (Esterillos Oeste, Centro, Este) that are calmer and more residential in character. Quepos, another 45 minutes south, is a working port town and the commercial gateway to Manuel Antonio National Park. The park itself covers 682 hectares of forest and four beaches — one of the smaller parks in the national system, but one of the most visited due to its combination of accessible wildlife, swimming beaches, and proximity to San José.
For Off Grid Destinations, the Central Pacific is the most infrastructure-dense region on this list. The off-grid angle here is relative: smaller-scale properties, jungle-adjacent homes, and farm parcels in the hills inland from the coast — where the transition from developed coastal to agricultural and forested becomes apparent within a short drive. It is a useful hub for buyers doing regional research from a well-connected base.
Central Pacific is best for those wanting Pacific coast access with established services, surf travel, sportfishing, beachfront and hillside rentals, and properties within reach of San José.
Explore nearby tours, activities, and nature-based experiences. These are provided by Viator, so always confirm timing, pickup details, cancellation policy, and suitability before booking.
From USD 90.00
View on Viator
From USD 90.00
View on ViatorOff Grid Destinations may earn a commission if you book through these links. Activities are operated by third-party providers.
Before enquiring, confirm road access, parking, internet, water, power setup, distance to town or beach, current pricing, cancellation terms, and whether the stay suits your comfort level, group size, and travel plans.
The Central Pacific hub covers the coastal corridor from Puntarenas and the Tárcoles River in the north, through Herradura, Jacó, Esterillos, and Parrita, to Quepos and Manuel Antonio in the south. It sits between the Nicoya Peninsula to the north and the South Pacific to the south.
Jacó is approximately 100 kilometres from San José — roughly 1.5 to 2 hours on the Caldera Highway (Route 27), depending on traffic near Escobar and Orotina. This makes it the closest Pacific beach destination to the capital.
Manuel Antonio National Park, established in 1972, covers approximately 682 hectares of forest and coastline just south of Quepos. It protects four beaches and a diverse range of wildlife including white-faced capuchin monkeys, three-toed sloths, squirrel monkeys, and numerous bird species. The park has daily visitor limits and is one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica. Entry requires advance online reservation during busy periods.
Yes. The Central Pacific — particularly Jacó — is the most commercially developed stretch of Costa Rica's Pacific coast, with established hotels, restaurants, and services oriented toward international visitors. Esterillos and Quepos are quieter. The terrain immediately inland rises steeply and transitions quickly into less-developed agricultural and forested land.
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