From Nicoya, Highway 21 continues southeast skirting close to the towns of Holancha and Carmona, before running along the eastern flank of the peninsula with fine views of the gulf and small villages with sodas and cafés for refreshment. Although the road is asphalted, it takes a fair pounding from traffic and there are some axle-crunching potholes that almost stops at Playa Naranjo. Ferries from Puntarenas provide an easier route to Naranjo, and to Paquera further round the peninsula, from where the road heads west to the popular destinations of Montezuma, Malpaís and Santa Theresa.
Regular vehicle and passenger ferries leave Puntarenas for Playa Naranjo and further around the bay to Paquera. Zuma Tours provide a taxi boat service between Jaco and Montezuma. Buses meet the ferries arriving at Playa Naranjo providing transport to Nicoya and the north of the peninsula, and west to Montezuma and Malpaís. Ferries also go to Paquera and head west which conveniently avoids the truly appalling dirt road that links Playa Naranjo and Paquera.
