How to Take the Ferry to Costa Rica’s Nicoya Peninsula
Sunday, May 18th, 2008
Considering that tourism is the main source of income of the country, one wonders sometimes, what is going on! If you want to go to the southern tip of Nicoya, you need to take the ferry in Puntarenas. The drive from San Jose should not take more than two hours at a steady pace. You will then find yourself in the worst part of Puntarenas; it can be a shock, even if you are prepared! The poverty is present everywhere. It has the look, smell and feel of having been abandoned forever.
Make sure you have the timetable sorted first and that you know at what time your ferry leaves; it is a good idea to arrive in advance, if possible, as the schedule often changes between high season and low season, when there may only be 4 departures a day. There are currently two ferries; the better and newer one, which is much bigger, holds up to 140 vehicles. It has a small restaurant inside serving burgers and pizzas, and good places to sit outside. The smaller one is much older, and definitely shows it. If you happen to get that one, just find a place to put yourself and stay there, as you may have found the best spot!
