Blessed with apparently endless beaches, the province of Puntarenas covers two thirds of Costa Rica's Pacific coast all the way to the Panamanian border. It's the country's six-largest province, divided in 11 cantons. The capital, named after the province, is the biggest Costa Rican city on the Pacific shore and is linked to the rest of the nation through a mesh of major roads, local airports and ferry services that sail across the Gulf of Nicoya. Puntarenas is the meeting ground of cruise liners and is outfitted with superior tourist infrastructure, marked by an assortment of hotel facilities, disco clubs, casinos, tour operators and all conveniences required by those willing to travel to this region. This province lays bare a tremendous geographical variety through landscapes. The place is covered by forests, swamps and biological reserves, like the coveted Manuel Antonio National Park -one of the prettiest in the country- and the deep and greenish jungle of the Corcovado National Park with its unexplored tropical woods. The Monteverde Biological Reserve -one of the world's richest- and the Carara Biological Reserve are simply awesome. From this paradise bathed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean, travelers may access to the islands of Pajaros, Guayabo, Negritos and Coco, a combined choice for those who prefer sea and nature. At the same time, the location has a good assortment of art galleries (Extasis and Alquimia), museums, churches and some districts or cantons worth stealing a long glimpse at. Its line of celebrated beaches is another premium option for tourists who like taking a swim in the sea and practicing nautical sports.