| Puntarenas is the most important fishing port on the | | | | start of the festival. |
| Pacific Coast of Costa Rica and one of the most | | | | You will find open air nightclubs with deejay setting |
| important tourist destinations as well. Aside from | | | | the mood right with his mixes. The streets and |
| being a beautiful port city, it hosts many festivals | | | | beaches are crowded with merry makers |
| during the year. There are festivals to celebrate the | | | | (sometimes also known as drunks) while the music |
| Arts, Regional Dishes, Music and Masquerades but | | | | which seem to effuse from every wall keeps you |
| come February, the celebrations step up for one of | | | | mesmerized. |
| the largest annual fiestas in the region. | | | | The real party though begins with a carnival |
| Every year Costa Ricans and tourists head for this | | | | procession on the first day of the final weekend, |
| costal town for a 10, yes 10, day festival called the | | | | starting at the Balneario Municipal and heading through |
| Puntarenas Carnival. Known as the Queen of the | | | | the Paseo de los Turistas. This massive carnival |
| Costa Rican carnivals, hundreds of thousands flock to | | | | procession is filled with the parading of comparsas |
| it, making it one of the largest fiestas in the region. | | | | (many groups of organized dancers) and vivid |
| With its perfect dry weather season making it the | | | | mascaradas (think big painted smiley heads) |
| perfect time for this celebration, many can enjoy the | | | | throughout the whole week. |
| beach events and remove limits to having fun during | | | | In no time, you will succumb to the fiesta and find |
| this carnival. The shoreline will be transformed as they | | | | yourself wanting more. For sure, you will not notice |
| set up new structures to accommodate the | | | | police helicopters hovering, gently reminding all |
| celebrations. There will be unlimited food, drinks, | | | | revelers *they're not alone. |
| performances, stage concerts well into the night and | | | | The last night of the festival is most definitely |
| early mornings. It's a party that never seems to end, | | | | exhilarating. Whether it's the marching bands, floats, |
| for these 10 days at least. | | | | samba routines or whatever dance routines that suit |
| On the first day of the carnival, the choosing and | | | | your taste, Puntarenas will not disappoint. Enjoy and |
| crowning of the Carnival Queen takes place in the | | | | soak in the festal atmosphere and thank your lucky |
| center of the Plaza Pacífico, and is followed | | | | stars you were present to witness another of life's |
| by a coronation dance and fireworks to mark the | | | | many celebrations. |