The Nicoya Peninsula stretches south, with stunning blue waters, with a marine and coastal landscape of wetlands, jagged rocky islands and tropical islands, extensive mangrove habitat and high biodiversity. This are just a few highlights of the Gulf of Nicoya, one of Costa Rica’s most popular destinations.
From the beaches of Guanacaste to the top portion of Central Pacific coastline, the Gulf of Nicoya comprises a shallow water body between the peninsula and Costa Rica's mainland. This region extends from Punta Conejo south to Puerto Caldera and includes Puntarenas, the area’s largest urban center.
The Gulf is a fascinating example of Mother Nature at work, there are a number of picturesque islands scattered along the gulf. Among these island is San Lucas Island, a former penal colony until 1991, where the prison walls are crumbling in ruins; Chira, which boasts a small community and it is bisected by a large estuary at the east leading into a canal through vast mangrove swamps; and Tortuga Island, a lush tropical oasis and the most visited of the group, consisting of 2 uninhabited islands, situated in front of the Curu Wildlife Refuge. The clear, turquoise waters afford excellent snorkeling and diving, and the white sand beaches lined with swaying palm trees provide the most sought-after setting in the world: a tropical island paradise.
Its wet and rainy climate allows for greater biodiversity in the beaches and hills next to the coast, providing visitors with the opportunity to observe the transition from tropical wet forest to tropical forest to tropical dry forest. These various ecosystems are home to numerous plant and animal species that are protected in several wilderness areas. Also included within this area is Cocos Island, which, though almost 600 kilometers from the port of Puntarenas, falls under this province’s jurisdiction. It is the tip of an ancient volcanic mountain isolated by the surrounding Pacific. It has been colonized over millennia and is covered with dense rainforest, but many of the species found here evolved after their arrival, changing into distinct forms that are found nowhere else in the world. Thrusting currents transport vital nutrients to these crystal clear waters, attracting a multitude of marine life. For the protection and sustainability of the flora and fauna, the island has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
