Ferry town on the southern Nicoya Peninsula, useful for Curú, Tortuga Island, and quiet gulf beaches.
Paquera is not the Nicoya Peninsula's prettiest town, but it is one of its most useful. Ferries from Puntarenas land nearby, buses fan out toward Montezuma and Santa Teresa, and the sheltered Gulf of Nicoya sits close enough for island trips, kayaking, and quiet beach afternoons.
Most travellers pass through too quickly. Stay a night and Paquera becomes a practical base for Curú National Wildlife Refuge, boat trips to Isla Tortuga, and the calm water around Playa Órganos. It is cheaper and less performative than the peninsula's surf towns, with more local life and fewer sunset cocktails.
The trade-off is simple: Paquera is spread out, hot, and quiet after dark. Come for access rather than nightlife, and keep your expectations grounded.
Guide
Getting Around
Local buses and taxis cover the ferry, town, and nearby villages, but a rental car makes Curú, beach stops, and early boat departures much easier. Roads can be rough once you leave the main route, especially in the rainy season.
For island trips, book with a local boat operator and confirm exactly what is included. Some tours are simple transfers with beach time; others include lunch, snorkeling gear, or bioluminescent kayaking after dark.
Guide
Getting There
The Puntarenas-Paquera ferry is the classic arrival route and one of Costa Rica's more pleasant transport days, crossing the Gulf of Nicoya with mountain and island views. Buses connect the ferry landing with Paquera, Montezuma, Cóbano, and Santa Teresa, though schedules thin out late in the day.
Drivers can also reach Paquera overland from the Nicoya Peninsula road network, but the ferry is usually faster and more scenic if you are coming from San José or the central Pacific coast.
