The Central Pacific has many important national and private protected areas. These pristine green zones provide sanctuary for many endangered species. The two most well known areas, Carara National Park and Manuel Antonio National Park, are readily accessible natural laboratories that nature lovers will enjoy immensely.

Carara National Park borders the Tárcoles River. This transitional zone encompasses several ecosystems and harbors an incredible variety of wildlife including the largest population of Scarlet Macaws in Costa Rica.

Surroundings to the north

Bejuco beach:

Tranquil beach located between the popular beach and surfing towns of Jacó and Manuel Antonio and Quepos, Playa Bejuco is a great location for a vacation on Costa Rica's Central Pacific coast. Awarded with the ecological blue flag. It also has access to touristy locations such as Jacó which is 15 minutes away and Manuel Antonio National Park only 40 minutes away. It is surrounded by several major developments which include; Rancho Monterrey project, Del Pacifico project, and Costa Reit. With the new road (end of 2007), it will only be 1 hour from San Jose .

Esterillos beach:

Esterillos beach is named after its numerous estuaries (esterillos is Spanish for “little estuaries”). Because of its length, it is divided into two areas: Esterillos Este (east) and Esterillos Oeste (west). Both beaches are ideal for enjoying the ocean, though the waves are strong and constant. Surfing is very popular at Esterillos Oeste. There is also a wide selection of activities and tours that can be done from the area which include: canopy tours, hiking in Carara & Manuel Antonio national parks, whitewater rafting at Naranjo River, horseback riding, sea kayaking, snorkeling, surfing, sailing and fishing.

Hermosa beach:

Situated just five kilometers south of Jacó, is one of the best surfing havens for professionals. Playa Hermosa offers surfers some of the best and most consistent surf breaks in the world. Playa Hermosa holds the International Quicksilver Surf Championships every year in August that literally brings hundreds of expert surfers here from all over the globe.

Jacó Beach:

Jacó beach Costa Rica is one of the most popular beaches in Costa Rica. It's proximity to San Jose, great night life, surfing, central location, unique shops and galleries make. There's plenty of infrastructure, shopping, nightlife and accommodations to provide anything one might want in a beach vacation. The road follows the coast out of Jacó providing spectacular scenery along the beaches. At the top of the hill is a great spot for a final look back on Jacó. A little further is a perfect view looking down on the long expanse of Playa Hermosa.

Herradura beach:

A superb black sand beach with aqua green waters and a palm tree lined shoreline; Playa Herradura is today a tourist hotspot on the Northern Puntarenas coast. Developments as Saint Regis and Los Suenos Marriott are both on the beach in Playa Herradura. The Los Suenos Marriott includes an 18 hole golf course, marina and surrounding condos. Sport fishing charters, visits to Tortuga Island, and romantic sunset tours round out a full fare of water-related activities including snorkeling, wind surfing, and water skiing.

Surroundings to the south

Further south you will find the area of Quepos and Manuel Antonio National Park.  Quepos is well known by sport-fishing enthusiasts and the blue water of this coast provides exceptional challenge and excitement for seasoned, as well as occasional, anglers.  International bill fishing tournaments in these waters routinely tie and break world records.

Manuel Antonio National Park is one of the most beautiful parks in the country, and the most popular among locals and foreigners alike.  Several trails lead through dense jungle growth to hidden sandy coves and magnificent lookouts over the ocean and beaches.   

Despite its small size and great popularity, Manuel Antonio has managed to remain one of the premiere nature spots in the country.   Just a couple of hours walking the park’s trails are likely to present various colorful and majestic birds, white-faced monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, coatis, pacas, brilliantly colored land crabs, a variety of multihued butterflies, and interesting insects.  The endangered squirrel monkey and a subspecies of the squirrel monkey endemic to Costa Rica are also frequently seen. In all, nearly 200 species of birds and over 100 species of other animals have been identified in this park