With some terrific road trip options in the surrounding area, renting a car makes good sense. Without one, it’d be much harder to explore all that Paquera, 18 miles away, has to offer. Curu National Wildlife Refuge, Reserva Curu and Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Curú alone make the drive out worth it. The locals will also likely point you in the direction of Puntarenas, 35 miles away. If you can only find time for one attraction here, make sure it’s Puntarenas Beach. (But we’re also huge fans of Victoria Park and Mata de Limón.)