District of Cóbano, Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Thinking ahead to the 2025 summer season, I feel it is a good time to talk about some places on the Nicoya Peninsula. I want to help future visitors to the area to be more familiar with this part of Costa Rica.

Besides surfing lessons with me, you can enjoy many other things on the peninsula.
Let’s talk about Cobano, the 10th district of the canton of Puntarenas and is where Santa Teresa, Mal Pais, Montezuma, Tambor and the town of Cobano are located.

Brief history of Cobano

street at city in costa rica rural town — Street at Cobano City

The district was for a long time a cattle and agricultural zone, with serious deforestation problems. Its only entrances were through piers in Montezuma and Tambor.
It was in the sixties of the twentieth century when the ferry arrived in the neighboring community of Paquera. These boats began to bring the first tourists who fell in love with the area.

Together with the locals they asked the government to establish protection areas in order to protect the remaining dry tropical forests in the area.
This is how Cabo Blanco and other conservation areas such as the Nicolas Wessberg Nature Reserve were created.
Thanks to the preservation and recovery of this forest, Cobano has experienced a significant growth in tourism and other activities.

The city of Cobano

commercial stores in downtown — Cobano City commerce is thriving in the last years.

I am going to talk about the capital of the district, since it is an excellent starting point to explore the area. In the town of Cobano converge all the roads of the district: The main road that comes from Paquera, the road that goes to Montezuma and the road that goes to El Carmen, the entry point to Santa Teresa and Mal Pais.

There is also a road that goes towards the mountains of Nicoya, a little visited destination but that hides some unique beauties. For example, the Ario river with some refreshing swimming natural pools.
Cobano is a town with a certain level of autonomy from tourism. It is still the main source to get materials for those engaged in agriculture, livestock and service sector.

There are banks, medical services, schools, colleges, gas stations, among other services.
There are also cabins and small hotels that are usually cheaper than those near the beach.
Like any town in Costa Rica, you will also find a Catholic Church.

What to do in the city of Cobano

grasslands in cobano costa rica — Grasslands are part of the Cobano landscape.

The town has an airport that receives local flights. There are also planes that take off from there offering skydiving services.
There are restaurants and bars with good food and drinks.

There is also a bullfighting ring and a community hall where the local celebrations are held twice a year. The first one in February because of the civic festivities and the second in August celebrating the founding of the district. There is a rodeo, bullfight, “tope” and carnival. In addition to typical food sales and a beauty pageant.

Of course, the beaches are less than 20 minutes away. The roads to the coast have improved a lot making it easier to get there by bus, car, bicycle and motorcycle.
However, other roads are still dirt roads, suitable only for 4×4 vehicles.

More from Cobano soon

dirt road in costa rica — Some roads in the district are not in the best conditions.

I plan to write more articles about Cobano, its towns, and other good spots to visit. So stay tuned.
You can count on me if you are looking for a good personalized surf lesson, private, with your couple, or in a group.

Disclaimer: This article is written by a real person. My intention is always to give real information based on my own experience.