I recommend going to LaPaz (see above) for the best waterfalls near Puntarenas, and you can also do a pleasant hike/walk around Volcan Poas in the same day trip.

Puntarenas used to be a popular tourist spot for Ticos coming from San Jose, before the roads were paved. Now, it's not a nice place to spend time, except within the one or two nice (chain) hotels in the area. The sand and the water at the area beaches isn't good.

There are nice beaches to the south. Playa Hermosa would be the first good one that you come to, and you can watch the surfers-usually on medium-to-big waves. The best beach for walking will be Esterillos-it's about 6 miles long-don't swim near the river mouths because of rip currents and an occasional lost crocodile. Or you could drive a little farther south to Manuel Antonio. The walk through the MA park totals only about 2 miles, but you'll see nice little beaches and some animals. When you get to beach #2, watch out for the White Face monkeys=-they will try to steal your food!

If you want more adventure, you can do a white water rafting tour on the Rio Savegre. They do daily pickups in Quepos.

The roads south of Puntarenas are good, and relatively easy to navigate, so travel times can be based on an average speed of 50-70kph.

There is a nice ferry ride from Puntarenas over to Paquera. You can walk, or bring a car on the ferry. There's not much to do in Paquera, but it's a nice trip over and back between islands, and a cute little town. I think there are tours to some of the little islands near Paquera. If someone mentions continuing to drive over to Mal Pais, or the park near there, don't bother. The rough road to get there isn't worth the trouble.