Paquera

Welcome to Paquera, the Caribbean of Costa Rica’s Pacific!

The Paquera/Naranjo/Lepanto area is still an undiscovered gem of Costa Rica. Here is one of the few places that it’s possible to still buy a large ocean view farm for a price within the range of many Americans. There are few foreigners living here, and so the typical Costa Rican culture is still authentic and unspoiled by mass tourism and Gringo influences.

Long the domain of pirates, rumors abound of pirate treasures buried among the many islands and mountain peaks that are typical of the Paquera area, so bring your metal detector if you have gold fever.

There are two ferry terminals in the area: one in Paquera, and one in Naranjo, and both go to Puntarenas. Most of the people travelling from the Montezuma/Malpais/Tambor area take the ferry across. It’s also possible to drive around the Gulf of Nicoya, crossing it via the Tempisque Bridge. From Paquera to Puntarenas by car is about a four hour drive, through beautiful countryside, and most of the road is paved. In rainy season, this is also the route that one must take to reach all the northern beaches of Costa Rica from Malpais and Montezuma, because the dry-season roads are blocked by the Rio Bongo.

Much work has been done to prepare Naranjo for a new Marina, and it’s assumed by most living there that it will arrive eventually, which has lead to an increase in prices in the past year or two. Still, the area is relatively affordable and unspoiled. The Lepanto area is one of the only “tropical dry forest” areas of Costa Rica in which sloths are still relatively common.

As you look through our listings, you’ll notice prices all over the place. This is an immature market, and there are still many exceptionally good deals in the area.

To see a list of properties for sale, check here: Paquera Real Estate

Driving Directions from San Jose:

Drive about 1 1/2 hours west to Puntarenas from San Jose, on the newer highway that leaves from Escazu/Santa Ana and goes towards Caldera. The newer highway will save you about an hour.

Call 2661-2084 (ext 4) for the Ferry Schedule, which is only in Spanish. Catch the Ferry to Naranjo or Paquera (Paquera is quite a bit faster usually.) The drive between the two towns is approximately one hour, on a good quality gravel road.

Driving Directions from Liberia:

Drive about 2 to 2 1/2 hours south, through Nicoya, to Jicaral, and follow the signs to the town you’re looking for. The roads are paved all the way to Naranjo now.