Chira Island is a district of the Puntarenas canton, in the Puntarenas province of Costa Rica.

Understand

Sunset in Chira Island

Chira contains the most intact biodiversity of tropical dry forest flora in Costa Rica.

The island was home to about 1,600 people in 2011. Six villages make up the bulk of the population of Chira Island, along the northern edge of the island, from the west end to the east end. The eastern end of the island is dominated by mangrove swamps.

Chira Island is bisected by a large estuary to the east leading into a canal through vast mangrove swamps.

Get in

There is a daily boat from Puntarenas (near the fish market) to Isla Chira. Hire-boats might be available in Pájaros or San Pablo.

There is an airport (Aeropuerto Isla Chira) shown on the map with a dirt runway, however information about flights doesn't seem to be available online.

See

Each year in June and July, there is a national bike race, as well as a running race, for those that want to explore the natural and unexplored beauty of the island.

Eat

• 1 Bar Restaurante Chira Fish. A beach side bar and restaurant serving typico food. (updated Mar 2022)

Sleep

There is only a little accommodation on the island.

• 1 Posada Rural La Amistad Isla Chira, ☏ +506 6426 8763 (Whatsapp). Small inn run by fisherwomen. Has a camping area and restaurant. (updated Mar 2022)