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Puntarenas is the largest province. The principal attractions are on the Pacific coast itself. The islands located in the Gulf of Nicoya are within the boundaries of this province as well as part of the Tilarán and Talamanca Mountain Ranges. Port Caldera , located 16 km south of the city of Puntarenas has become the most important port of call for some of the major cruise liners. In the Puntarena porvince lso is located one of the most interesting Islands of the world, it is Isla del Coco (Coco Island), situated 493 km SouthEast of the main land in the Pacific Ocean. It is famouse because of its biodiversity and great marine life. It was denominated National Park in 1978 and Humanity Natural Patrimony by the UNESCO. Puntarena´s economic activities include rice, painapple, banano, sugar cane and corn.

Puntarenas province also has many National Parks and reserve areas to preserve its varied natural life. Among this national parks are: the famous Manuel Antonio National Park, which includes 12 little islands close to the beach, primary and secundary forest, mangroves, and many marine species. Corcovado National Park, considered by many as an open zoo because of its presence of many mamals like little tigers, etc.; La Amistad National Park, shared by two nations (Costa Rica and Panama);  Cabo Blanco National Park, Piedras Blancas National Park, and Caraca National Park. There are also importat natural refugies such as Kuru Reserve.

The Gulf of Nicoya, shared by Puntarenas and Guancaste province, has many sites of interest. The islands in the Gulf are all different, ranging from Isla Tortuga, a very touristic Island with one day tours from Montezuma, Jaco, Puntarenas and even San Jose; Isla San Lucas, with a sordic history of an old countrys prision, and Isla Chira, a beautiful unexplore island, among many others.

Violins Island is an island in the river, created by sedimentation processes of the Rio Grande de Térraba. It is located in the Boca del Rio Sierpe area south of Costa Rica. Violins Island Biological Reserve is also inhabited by only a few people.

To reach the island Violins should take a small boat from Sierpe, through Central America's largest mangrove, wetland-Térraba Sierpe. This wetland has 7 types of mangrove forests, now protected by RAMSAR. It must pass through a turbulent area where the river and the sea come together, only the most experienced captains are afraid to cross the area. Its name comes from the mountains to the similarity of their musical instrument.

This island is famous for the legend of buried treasure where they said that this island is the buried treasure of Sir Frances Drake. Violins island is also famous for its gold reserves. The legend of the famous English pirate, Sir Frances Drake, who stealing valuable treasures from the Spanish crown, hiding their treasures in this Island.