Silversea Puntarenas Costa Rica Cruise Port Guide | Silversea Cruises

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Awaiting Your Return FROM Shore

Costa Rica's major Pacific port

Costa Rica's interior, renowned for its unspoiled nature and beautiful

Costa Rica boasts a privileged location between two oceans at the southern

end of Central America. It was discovered by Columbus in September of 1502

during his last voyage. Unfounded rumors of vast gold treasures led to the

name of Costa Rica (Rich Coast). Spaniards FROM northern Spain settled

mainly in the Central Valley. Independence FROM Spain was declared in 1821.

To supplement farming income, the government looked for a product that could

be exported and taxed for revenue. It was found in coffee, introduced FROM

Panama in 1791 with two bags of seeds. Costa Rica was the first Central

American country to cultivate coffee in the rich volcanic soil of the

Central Valley. Free land was offered to coffee growers, resulting in a

peasant land-owning class. In 1825, small quantities of coffee were carried

on mule-back to the ports to be exported. By 1846, the transport was carried

out in oxcarts. A few years later there was a substantial flow to overseas

markets; this increased with the opening of a railway FROM San Jose to

Puerto Limon on the Atlantic coast and the old port of Puntarenas on the

Pacific. The country's economy is still based on coffee,as well as bananas,

Costa Rica is Central America's most stable democracy. In 1949, the army was

abolished, replaced by a very efficient-looking khaki-clad Civil Guard. The

literacy rate is high; Ticos, as locals are popularly called, are known for

their friendly and outgoing attitude.

The capital, San Jose, lies in the Central Valley at an altitude of 3,450

feet, about a 2-2.5-hour drive FROM Puntarenas. Its population is estimated

at over one million. Most of the colonial buildings were destroyed by

earthquakes; the modern replacements are not very inspiring. The most

attractive buildings include the National Theater in the heart of the city

and the Metropolitan Cathedral. The general sights can easily be viewed

during a quick orientation drive. The real attraction lies in the

countryside, which boasts sceneries of mountain ranges, lush valleys and

quaint villages. Compared to the heat and humidity of the coastal area, the

Central Valley is known for its pleasant, spring-like climate for most of

Awaiting Your Return

and Dancing Await You

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