Tárcoles

Town · Puntarenas Province, 🇨🇷 Costa Rica

Population 9,842

Area 172 km²

Time zone America/Costa_Rica

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Featured Lists

D. Gordon E. Robertson / CC BY-SA 3.0

Tárcoles Essentials

Tárcoles serves as a primary biological corridor between the dry forests of the north and the rainforests of the south. This selection highlights the Tárcoles River, home to one of the world’s largest populations of American crocodiles, and Carara National Park, a critical nesting site for scarlet macaws. Coastal highlights include the white sands of Playa Blanca and the Peñón de Guacalillo cliffs, alongside adventure options like zip-lining and specialized boat tours through the river's mangrove ecosystems.

9 places

Best of Tárcoles & Jacó

This selection highlights the transition zone between dry and humid tropical forests in the Central Pacific. It includes Parque Nacional Carara, a primary sanctuary for scarlet macaws, and the rugged cliffs of Peñón de Guacalillo and Peñón de Bajamar. Adventure options range from zip-lining over the Tárcoles canopy to crocodile safaris on the river and private boat charters for marine exploration near Jacó.

7 places

Beautiful Sandy Beaches

This collection spans the Central Pacific coastline near the Tárcoles River estuary, a region where tropical dry forests meet the sea. The landscape features a diverse geological mix, from the dark volcanic sands of Playa Azul and the dramatic sedimentary cliffs of Guacalillo to the rare white sands of Playa Blanca. These shores provide habitats for scarlet macaws and offer varied conditions, including protected bays for kayaking at Playa Agujas and surfing breaks at Playa Caletas.

10 places