Guidebook for Paquera

Frank
Guidebook for Paquera

Food Scene

Just tried out this other Seafood place, it's just as good as Las Vegas. I haven't tried everything on their menu but I found them looking at google maps and one day at Las Vegas, they said they ran out of lobsters and fish, so I remembered Grey's and skipped over to their place instead to try them out. I'm glad I did because I found out, they deliver too!
Mariscos Grey's
Puntarenas-Paquera Ferry
Just tried out this other Seafood place, it's just as good as Las Vegas. I haven't tried everything on their menu but I found them looking at google maps and one day at Las Vegas, they said they ran out of lobsters and fish, so I remembered Grey's and skipped over to their place instead to try them out. I'm glad I did because I found out, they deliver too!
This little Ice Cream Shop, has more than a good amount of assorted Ice Creams not even a 5 minute drive, off center of town! I always go to get my favorite fix on Rum Raisen! They offer smoothies (a varied amount of Naturales/Natural fruit drinks like Sandia=Watermelon etc.) but also offer tastey snacks and finger foods: hamburgers, burritos, patacones, fries, and tacos to just mention a few at very affordable prices! At the present their special is a Coke and hamburger for $2, so when it gets too hot for you, cool down with one of your favorite ice creams!
12 locals recommend
Heladeria Passion Fruit
160
12 locals recommend
This little Ice Cream Shop, has more than a good amount of assorted Ice Creams not even a 5 minute drive, off center of town! I always go to get my favorite fix on Rum Raisen! They offer smoothies (a varied amount of Naturales/Natural fruit drinks like Sandia=Watermelon etc.) but also offer tastey snacks and finger foods: hamburgers, burritos, patacones, fries, and tacos to just mention a few at very affordable prices! At the present their special is a Coke and hamburger for $2, so when it gets too hot for you, cool down with one of your favorite ice creams!
About 3 min self drive from Mapi's from main paved road, go opposite, on gravel. It's my favorite fresh SEAFOOD Restaurant! I love the seafood soup! your choice of water or coconut milk base. My preference, MILK, having 2 lobsters in it, served in a very large bowl aprox $20 you can definitely share or smaller portions available! Service is slow but worth it. Don't be fooled by the unique shabby atmosphere, I have eaten many times there and it's one of those places, you "can't judge a book by its cover". I suggest go in daylight, first because it’s so easy to pass it up second you'll need to wear mosquito repellent due to biting gnats coming out at night but don't let that bug you!
11 locals recommend
Las Vegas Restaurant
11 locals recommend
About 3 min self drive from Mapi's from main paved road, go opposite, on gravel. It's my favorite fresh SEAFOOD Restaurant! I love the seafood soup! your choice of water or coconut milk base. My preference, MILK, having 2 lobsters in it, served in a very large bowl aprox $20 you can definitely share or smaller portions available! Service is slow but worth it. Don't be fooled by the unique shabby atmosphere, I have eaten many times there and it's one of those places, you "can't judge a book by its cover". I suggest go in daylight, first because it’s so easy to pass it up second you'll need to wear mosquito repellent due to biting gnats coming out at night but don't let that bug you!

Drinks & Nightlife

Interesting place to enjoy finger foods at a great price, good ceviche and drinks, even the seasonal raw turtle egg shots, along with usually loud music. There's also a pool table, there's a dance floor but nobody's ever dancing...
7 locals recommend
Bar La Gallada
7 locals recommend
Interesting place to enjoy finger foods at a great price, good ceviche and drinks, even the seasonal raw turtle egg shots, along with usually loud music. There's also a pool table, there's a dance floor but nobody's ever dancing...

Sightseeing

Less than 5 minutes from Mapi's on the left, off the main road, you'll find the Cemetery. It might sound a little morbid in a sightseeing point of interest. But I would drive by it every day until one day, it captured my attention and it's quite beautiful and serene seeing all the burial sites come down on a side of a mountain...
Cementerio de Paquera
Less than 5 minutes from Mapi's on the left, off the main road, you'll find the Cemetery. It might sound a little morbid in a sightseeing point of interest. But I would drive by it every day until one day, it captured my attention and it's quite beautiful and serene seeing all the burial sites come down on a side of a mountain...

Parks & Nature

Takes about an hour and a half from Mapi's, you'll end up in a scenic beach strip of different laid back hipster area, eateries, bars and shops (Bus Stop across the street from Mapi's, can also take you)... The beach is very different there, with big scenic boulders you can climb on, makes beautiful pictures and a lot of waves for surfing. It also offers many water activities as well as zip lining.
74 locals recommend
Montezuma
74 locals recommend
Takes about an hour and a half from Mapi's, you'll end up in a scenic beach strip of different laid back hipster area, eateries, bars and shops (Bus Stop across the street from Mapi's, can also take you)... The beach is very different there, with big scenic boulders you can climb on, makes beautiful pictures and a lot of waves for surfing. It also offers many water activities as well as zip lining.
This beautiful natural Reserve Park, it's about 30 minutes self drive from Mapi's off the main road. Our office can also make reservations and possibility for you to be picked up and dropped off by Curu or have a Taxi take you, being once you reach their main entrance, from the main road, you still need to go in, about a 2 mile stretch, to reach their main guest area (keep your eyes open for deers). Park fee about $12pp also there is Turismo Curu independent from Curu, they offer excursions like a boat trip to Isla Tortuga, snorkeling or diving on the way and NIGHT bio luminesce tours (waters glowing) .
52 locals recommend
Curú Wildlife Refuge
52 locals recommend
This beautiful natural Reserve Park, it's about 30 minutes self drive from Mapi's off the main road. Our office can also make reservations and possibility for you to be picked up and dropped off by Curu or have a Taxi take you, being once you reach their main entrance, from the main road, you still need to go in, about a 2 mile stretch, to reach their main guest area (keep your eyes open for deers). Park fee about $12pp also there is Turismo Curu independent from Curu, they offer excursions like a boat trip to Isla Tortuga, snorkeling or diving on the way and NIGHT bio luminesce tours (waters glowing) .
This is the closest beach to Mapi's, taking about 25 minutes self-drive on the main road. The best time to visit this beach is early morning so you can catch the howler monkies up on the trees. There's an up hill drive through wooded areas and sometimes due to heavy rainfalls, the roads could have it's fair share of potholes, so it's highly recommended, to use a 4x4 to reach this dark sand beach (hardly any waves). Once there, if you walk towards your right, you'll reach a fork of waters, where a river of sweet water combines with salt water. I believe it depends on the moon phase that you can also see the biolumense, shining waters when swimming in it, a phenomenon that happens at night.
11 locals recommend
Playa Órganos
11 locals recommend
This is the closest beach to Mapi's, taking about 25 minutes self-drive on the main road. The best time to visit this beach is early morning so you can catch the howler monkies up on the trees. There's an up hill drive through wooded areas and sometimes due to heavy rainfalls, the roads could have it's fair share of potholes, so it's highly recommended, to use a 4x4 to reach this dark sand beach (hardly any waves). Once there, if you walk towards your right, you'll reach a fork of waters, where a river of sweet water combines with salt water. I believe it depends on the moon phase that you can also see the biolumense, shining waters when swimming in it, a phenomenon that happens at night.
This is an easy 35-minute self-drive from Mapi's, (hardly any waves). Once there, If you walk to your right, you'll reach a fork, where salt water and sweet water meet. If you walk towards your left, there's like an inlet where fisherman dock their boats. You can either ask anybody there to give you a lift to Playa Muertos, for a FEE or if you're a good swimmer you can easily swim across. This is a must see beach, Playa Muertos is a light colored sand having smooth rocks of all colors deposit along its shores. It's advisable to wear and bring rubber water shoes. There's a spiny jagged rock formation that can hurt your feet, if walking barefoot on it but makes a great spot to snorkel.
7 locals recommend
Pochote
7 locals recommend
This is an easy 35-minute self-drive from Mapi's, (hardly any waves). Once there, If you walk to your right, you'll reach a fork, where salt water and sweet water meet. If you walk towards your left, there's like an inlet where fisherman dock their boats. You can either ask anybody there to give you a lift to Playa Muertos, for a FEE or if you're a good swimmer you can easily swim across. This is a must see beach, Playa Muertos is a light colored sand having smooth rocks of all colors deposit along its shores. It's advisable to wear and bring rubber water shoes. There's a spiny jagged rock formation that can hurt your feet, if walking barefoot on it but makes a great spot to snorkel.
This is about a 30 minute self drive from Mapi's, it's another dark sandy beach but no waves. There's a cement slab where you can build your tents or have your picnic. You would have to drive slow to get there because the road is very rocky with gravel, if it wasn't for that you'd probably get there in 15 min.
9 locals recommend
Playa Pájaros
9 locals recommend
This is about a 30 minute self drive from Mapi's, it's another dark sandy beach but no waves. There's a cement slab where you can build your tents or have your picnic. You would have to drive slow to get there because the road is very rocky with gravel, if it wasn't for that you'd probably get there in 15 min.
Taking the main road it will take about an hour and a half, self-drive from Mapi's to Santa Teresa, its right next to Mal Pais and both beaches can be seen on the same day. This area is known for its surfing, tourist friendly, and hipster style, having small eateries and shops.
119 locals recommend
Santa Teresa Beach
119 locals recommend
Taking the main road it will take about an hour and a half, self-drive from Mapi's to Santa Teresa, its right next to Mal Pais and both beaches can be seen on the same day. This area is known for its surfing, tourist friendly, and hipster style, having small eateries and shops.
Mal Pais and Santa Teresa Beach are right next to each other easily to see both in one day and about an hour and half from Mapi's. This area continues to be hipster trendy with surfing as it's main attraction. Having small shops and eateries making it tourist friendly.
43 locals recommend
Malpais
43 locals recommend
Mal Pais and Santa Teresa Beach are right next to each other easily to see both in one day and about an hour and half from Mapi's. This area continues to be hipster trendy with surfing as it's main attraction. Having small shops and eateries making it tourist friendly.

Essentials

Just about 4 minutes self-drive on the main road from Mapi's, you'll find this main grocery store where you can get all your staples, toiletries and more. The next biggest market would be Mega Super, not even a minute, just down the road from Pali.
Palí
Just about 4 minutes self-drive on the main road from Mapi's, you'll find this main grocery store where you can get all your staples, toiletries and more. The next biggest market would be Mega Super, not even a minute, just down the road from Pali.
This is about 5 minutes from Mapi's self drive on main road not even a minute down the road from Pali Super Market. Sometimes you'll find here brands that Pali doesn't carry. Also just another grocery store where you can find your main staples and toiletries, I find it to be a little smaller in comparison to Pali. Essentials
6 locals recommend
Mega Super
6 locals recommend
This is about 5 minutes from Mapi's self drive on main road not even a minute down the road from Pali Super Market. Sometimes you'll find here brands that Pali doesn't carry. Also just another grocery store where you can find your main staples and toiletries, I find it to be a little smaller in comparison to Pali. Essentials

Everything Else

This ALL INCLUSIVE Beach Front Resort, is on main road 40 minutes away from Mapi's and offers guest day passes (10:30AM-12AM), includes even your pool/beach towels! You can participate in all the daily activities: small hike to see in captivity birds, snakes, frogs and butterflies. There's also volleyball, rock climbing (age limit), trampoline (age limit), ping pong, mini golf, pools, water sports, kayaks, archery, a small gym and sauna (be aware of their activity schedule, when I was there, we couldn't do any of the activities after 4PM). The price includes night shows, buffet meals, unlimited snacks and beverages (alcohol and non-alcohol) for $48-$60 per person depending on the season.
8 locals recommend
Barceló Tambor
771 Ruta Nacional Secundaria 160
8 locals recommend
This ALL INCLUSIVE Beach Front Resort, is on main road 40 minutes away from Mapi's and offers guest day passes (10:30AM-12AM), includes even your pool/beach towels! You can participate in all the daily activities: small hike to see in captivity birds, snakes, frogs and butterflies. There's also volleyball, rock climbing (age limit), trampoline (age limit), ping pong, mini golf, pools, water sports, kayaks, archery, a small gym and sauna (be aware of their activity schedule, when I was there, we couldn't do any of the activities after 4PM). The price includes night shows, buffet meals, unlimited snacks and beverages (alcohol and non-alcohol) for $48-$60 per person depending on the season.