Paquera Costa Rica: Guide to This Ferry Landing Beach Town

Paquera Costa Rica is a small but bustling town with beautiful nature views

paquera

The Paquera Costa Rica Vibes

Paquera is not a place that most people spend much time. Usually, it is known as just the town you drive through after taking the ferry from Puntarenas on the way to Santa Teresa or Montezuma

However, we think it is not a bad spot to spend a night or two. The town itself is not the best, but there are a few places to visit nearby that we really love. 

Background Info About Paquera Costa Rica

Nearest International Airport

Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose (SJO)

Popular Things to Do

bioluminescence kayak tour, fishing, visit Curu Reserve

Best Way to Get Around

Rental car

Best Time of Year to Visit

Dry season is from late December until mid-April

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Thomas (the German) and Sarah (the US-er).

We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and have called sunny Costa Rica home since 2016.

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paquera costa rica beach
paquera costa rica beach
paquera map

Map Of Paquera Costa Rica

Paquera is located on the eastern shore of the Nicoya Peninsula.

The waters here are somewhat protected from the open ocean. 

Flights to Costa Rica

Paquera is great because it is easily accessible from the Liberia airport and the San Jose airport. 

More and more airlines are starting service to Liberia so check out the rates. It may be worth it for you.

If you haven’t booked your flight yet, we suggest using Skyscanner. We consistently find the best rates through their website.

Transportation to Paquera

Cheapest Way to Get to Paquera

The cheapest way to get to Paquera is with the public bus from (if coming from San Jose). This is actually not a bad trip. You only need to take the public bus to Puntarenas and then hop on the ferry to Paquera. From the ferry you can grab a taxi to your destination. You can check out the bus schedule here

Most Comfortable Way to Get Here

For the most comfort, we like to take a private shuttle. Our go-to shuttle company is Adobe Transfers. We have worked closely with Adobe for almost five years now and trust them completely. You can get a private transfer quote here

Our Favorite Way to Get Here

We always suggest renting a car and driving to Paquera on your own. The best way to do this (if coming from San Jose) is by going on the Puntarenas ferry to Paquera. In total this trip will take about four to five hours (depending on how early you get to the ferry terminal).

Check out our ferry guide for more on that. 

We like to rent a car because Paquera is nice, but we highly suggest visiting more of the Nicoya Peninsula from here. For day trips you will likely want a car and there are not many car rental places in the Paquera area.

Our #1 Car Rental Choice
Paquera Costa Rica: Guide to This Ferry Landing Beach Town

Adobe Rent-a-Car

  • 10% discount for Costa Rica Vibes readers
  • Free second driver
  • 0% deductible on Liability Protection Insurance
  • Excellent customer service
  • New fleet of well-maintained vehicles

You do not necessarily need a 4×4 for the drive to Paquera, but an SUV with decent clearance is suggested for once in Paquera because some of the roads are not paved in this area. 

FIND OUT HOW TO GET UP TO 10% OFF YOUR CAR RENTAL IN COSTA RICA!

The Fastest Way to Get Here

The fastest (but most expensive) way to get to Mal Pais is by plane. From San Jose, it is possible to fly with a domestic airline to Tambor Airport.

From Tambor, you can take a private shuttle or taxi 45 minutes to Paquera.

BOOK YOUR COSTA RICA RENTAL CAR AND SAVE 10%

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The Adobe Rent-A-Car discount includes…..

– A 10% DISCOUNT  

– FREE SECOND DRIVER 

– FREE ROOF RACKS TO USE 

– 0% DEDUCTIBLE ON LIABILITY PROTECTION

– DISCOUNTED SMARTPHONE USAGE WITH UNLIMITED DATA

paquera costa rica
paquera costa rica beach
paquera costa rica jungle

Transportation In Paquera

Having a rental car will be the easiest way to get around in Paquera.

This isn’t a popular tourist area so there are not many day tour companies.

You will have to drive yourself to most things you would like to see or do. 

Unfortunately, Adobe does not have an office on the Nicoya Peninsula. This is part of the reason we suggest using a rental car to get here so you will be able to have transportation while in the area. 

ferry paquera

Paquera Costa Rica Weather

As with most of Costa Rica, the dry season here runs from mid-December until April or May.

From May until August you can expect some afternoon rainstorms. They tend to roll in like clockwork around 2pm.

From mid-August until December a lot of things close down because the weather can be really rainy and there just isn’t enough tourism in this area at that time. 

Even during the green season, this area tends to be super hot and sunny during the day. 

Learn more about Costa Rica weather here.

Things to Do in Paquera Costa Rica

Go Bioluminescent Kayaking

In the Gulf of Nicoya, it is possible to experience bioluminescence year-round. The best time to experience this is during a new moon when it is completely dark.

This is without a doubt one of the coolest things you can experience in Costa Rica. 

We suggest arranging your tour with Bahia Rica here.

Go Fishing

Bahia Rica Adventures is our favorite fishing tour company in the area.

Captain Thomas will take you out for a half day adventure. This area is amazing for Roosterfish, but you can also expect to maybe catch Mahi Mahi, Tuna, Jack Crevalle, Needlefish, or Cubera Snapper.

You can book your tour with Bahia Rica here. 

Visit Curu Reserve

Curu Reserve is a national wildlife refuge. It is great hiking spot with several trails of varying lengths and difficulty. There is also a nice beach.

We have a Curu Reserve guide for more info.

Take a Day Trip to Isla Tortuga

Tortuga Island is a white sand beach island without inhabitants. It is a fun day trip option that includes snorkeling and swimming in clear turquoise waters.

Visit the Nearby Beaches

There are a few nice Costa Rican beaches near Paquera. We suggest Playa Quesera and Playa Organos.

Check out our Tortuga visitors guide for more info.

Paquera Costa Rica: Guide to This Ferry Landing Beach Town
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Paquera Restaurants

MACHOI’m a bit confused because apparently there are two MACHO restaurants. One focuses on seafood and the other is more burgers with a relaxed vibe. I have been to the seafood one and it was great! 

Kincho’s PizzaGreat place for takeout or just relaxed pizza vibes. They have a wide variety of topping choices. 

Mariscos GreyExcellent place for seafood. It really does not look like much from the outside, but the food quality and presentation is impressive. 

paquera town
paquera town
paquera town

Paquera Costa Rica Hotels

Eco Boutique HotelA nice hotel with incredible ocean views. We like this place for the amazing property with a nice pool.

B&B La Casa de ManitoVery budget-friendly accommodation option with breakfast included. The staff here will go above and beyond to make sure you have a nice stay. 

Isla Chiquita Glamping Hotel – One of the best glamping spots in the country. Isla Chiquita is on its own island, so this is more of a destination for a honeymoon or romantic getaway. 

paquera town
paquera town

Paquera Travel Tips

We suggest spending about two nights here before moving on to Montezuma, Santa Teresa, or Mal Pais.

This is a great few-day stop, but we don’t suggest spending your whole vacation here.

Keep in mind that there is almost no tourism here. The small town does not have the same touristy vibe that some other parts of the country have.

Packing for Paquera Costa Rica

For Paquera we suggest focusing on very casual clothing. There is no need to dress up nicely here. 

We suggest fast drying shirts and shorts, sun blocking gear such as UV protecting shirts and hats, and rain gear for the rainy season. 

For footwear we usually opt for flip flops with a good sole when in town or on beaches and sneakers or low hiking boots for hikes.

Check out our Paquera Packing List on Amazon for all the essentials. 

paquera town
paquera town
paquera town

Paquera Costa Rica FAQ

Is Paquera Costa Rica worth a visit?

Paquera Costa Rica is not a popular tourist destination. However, it is a nice stop for a day or two when going to Montezuma or Santa Teresa.

How long is the ferry ride from Puntarenas to Paquera Costa Rica?

The ferry ride takes about 80 minutes from departure in Puntarenas to arrival in Paquera. The ferry has comfortable indoor and outdoor seating, bathrooms, and a place to buy food.

Where is Paquera Costa Rica?

Paquera Costa Rica is located on the Nicoya Peninsula on the Pacific Coast of the country. It is home to the ferry terminal from Puntarenas.

Articles About Paquera Costa Rica

You Might Also Like Visiting

Mal Pais: A small remote fishing village with beautiful ocean views

Santa Teresa: A popular surfing and yoga village with a backpacker vibe

Tambor: A small fishing village and home to the Nicoya domestic airport

….if none of those appeal to you, check out our Guide to the Nicoya Peninsula for more ideas of places to visit in this area.