Puntarenas Cathedral (Sagrado Corazón de Jesús)
Landmark · Nicoya Peninsula
A stone-and-brick church built in 1902 in the middle of the port, unusual for the hot coast with its rough stone walls and square bell tower. Its side faces the Bulevar Gastronómico, a pedestrian food street with sculptures and string lights.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 20 min
- Best time
- morning or late afternoon, outside Mass times
- Kids
- 2 / 10
- View
- 5 / 10
- Crowds
- 2 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 9.97769, -84.83483 — Google Maps
Before you go
- Entry
- Free
- Tickets
- Free entry, no ticket
- Parking
- On the street
- Road
- Paved all the way
- Kids
- Good for kids
- Checked
- 2026-10
Tip
Pair it with the history museum in the old barracks a block east and dinner on the Bulevar right beside it.
Be careful
Keep an eye on your belongings in busy town centres, and dress respectfully if you go inside a church.
Getting there
In the town centre at Calle 5, a few blocks from Paseo de los Turistas. Street parking.
Places nearby
- Parque Marino del PacíficoParks & WildlifeAquarium park in Puntarenas' old railway station, about three hectares of tanks with sea turtles, tropical fish, rays, crocodiles and large sharks, plus a small pool and play area for children - an easy family stop at the east end of the seafront.
- Bahía Rica (bioluminescent kayak tours & fishing lodge)Tours & AdventureA small wooden kayak-and-fishing lodge on the bluff 1.5 km east of the Paquera ferry landing, best known for its night kayak tour on Paquera's bio-bay, where every paddle stroke lights up blue-green plankton and you can even jump in and swim through the glow.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/232193919 · https://passporterapp.com/en/blog/costa-rica/things-to-do-puntarenas/ · https://ticotimes.net/?p=163188 · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/232193919