Why Chira
Chira Island is a 4,300-hectare landmass situated at the northern end of the Gulf of Nicoya in Costa Rica. Belonging to the Puntarenas Canton within Puntarenas Province, it ranks as the country's second largest island. The island lies just off the coast of San Pablo in Guanacaste, sitting in a gulf fed by the Tempisque River that separates the Guanacaste region from the mainland. The district of Chira was officially established in September 1998.
The geography of Chira features an elevation of 15 meters and an expanse of 43 square kilometers. It sits within an extensive seawater inlet created by a geological fault line. This subsidence submerged the surrounding land, leaving only former hilltops exposed as various gulf islands. Ecologically, Chira preserves the most intact tropical dry forest flora in Costa Rica and Central America. Its eastern section is defined by a large estuary, a connecting canal, and extensive mangrove swamps.
The island's population of 1,576 residents, recorded during the 2011 census, is primarily distributed across six villages situated along the northern coastline from west to east. Local economic life centers on agriculture, salt pan labor, and fishing. To alleviate pressure on marine life caused by limited alternative industries, a mollusk bank project focusing on specific oyster species was initiated to create a sustainable artisan fishing resource. Additionally, initiatives promote tourism based on the area's natural features and local heritage.
Visitors to Chira can observe local wildlife, particularly around the salt pans, which attract roseate spoonbills and diverse wading birds. Exploration of the island's vast mangrove swamps and the nearby Tempisque River forms a central part of the recreational experience. Annually in June and July, the island hosts a national bicycle race and a running competition for participants seeking to traverse its natural environment.
Travelers accessing Chira will find limited accommodations available on the island. A daily ferry operates from the fish market in Puntarenas directly to Chira Island. Alternatively, visitors may arrange private boat rentals from Pájaros or San Pablo.
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