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     | Puntarenas is at the foot of 
    mountains and at the site of some of Costa Rica's most beautiful beaches. 
    Nearby are nature walks along the trails of Carara Biological Reserve, a 
    central Pacific forest with an incredible variety of plant life. Its 
    marshes, formed by the seasonal river flooding, are rich in waterfowl, 
    amphibians, and reptiles. Monkeys, butterflies, and many species of birds 
    live here. Nearby excursions include San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica, and the 
    Poas Volcano National Park. See also 
    
    
    Windstar in Costa Rica.
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