So, what are the very best issues to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica? Will you stick to the seaside and go online, take a meals tour, and even use the city as a launchpad for an unimaginable in a single day journey? Let’s have a look!
The southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is famend for its stunning seashores and tradition, and the small city of Puerto Viejo doesn’t disappoint. You’ll discover white sand seashores, scrumptious Costa Rican meals, and nights that explode with reggae music. Puerto Viejo is a unbelievable place to go to.
Top Things to do in Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a coastal city on the southeast shores of Costa Rica positioned on the Caribbean facet of Costa Rica. This information will cowl the easiest issues to do in Puerto Viejo. Whether you need nature, journey, culinary experiences, or tradition, these high issues to do in Puerto Viejo will hold you entertained.
The drive from San Jose to Costa Rica is almost two hours. You can ebook a personal switch straight to your lodging, or you may take the extra reasonably priced shuttle service. It takes longer however is far more reasonably priced.
1. Take a meals tour or cooking lesson
Food is a spotlight of any journey to Puerto Viejo. A Guided tour across the Puerto Viejo eating places and cooking classes at native chef’s homes are sensible methods to expertise Costa Rican delicacies. Small eating places (aka ‘sodas’) are full of conventional dishes to pattern. You can both be taught to prepare dinner the dishes your self or bounce round on a tasting escapade to all the very best domestically recognized spots.
This Tasting Costa Rica Tour combines two excursions in one. Starting with wildlife viewing and ending with a cooking class to pattern native meals.
Must-try dishes embrace Gallo pinto, olla de Carne, and Casado. Caribbean hen (Pollo Caribeno) can also be tasty when you get the prospect to attempt it, and the dish is flavored with candy coconut milk. You are certain to pattern some dishes that you just’ll need to attempt once more at dwelling.
You can simply ebook a guided tour or cooking lesson on-line. If you’re solely visiting for just a few days or throughout peak season, we’d advocate reserving in advance. Saying that cooking classes are excellent rainy-day actions, which is one thing to hold in thoughts when you face a day of dangerous climate.
2. Party in Downtown Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo has an thrilling leisure scene and top-of-the-line issues to do in Puerto Viejo is to expertise its nightlife. Downtown Puerto Viejo is the place you’ll discover a handful of bars and lounges alongside the beachfront. What higher place to social gathering than a bar overlooking the ocean? Downtown Puerto Viejo is a well-liked place to be after sunset.
Johnny’s Place is a long-running fixture and is an effective place to begin. The venue serves meals and drinks on the beachfront. You can pattern a variety of cocktails. Salsa Brava Restaurant additionally transforms into a celebration location after darkish. With the motto “good food, creative drinks, and a respect for the local traditions”, it’s clear that Salsa Brava pioneers a enjoyable environment. Grab a neighborhood beer or wine or select from the cocktail menu.
Downtown Puerto Viejo is a enjoyable place to be at evening. If you need to expertise nightlife in Puerto Viejo, it’s simply the very best place.
3. Visit the Bri Bri Waterfalls
A hike to a set of gorgeous waterfalls is an effective way to spend just a few hours. The entrances to the Bri Bri Waterfalls are solely a fifteen-minute drive from Puerto Viejo, which is sweet and handy. One entrance is signposted Catarata Ma-Cu, and the opposite is Bri Bri Sparking Waterfalls. You can choose which one, as each are comparatively related in phrases of technical calls for and of an equal size. Allow a ten-minute stroll from both entrance to attain the falls.
Bri Bri Waterfalls has a shocking plunge pool that’s deep sufficient for you to have a refreshing swim. Remember to convey a digital camera so you may snap some footage of the expertise, too, because the waterfalls are really a scenic spot to go to.
4. Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica
Who doesn’t love sloths? Visiting the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica is among the high issues to do close to Puerto Viejo, and it’s simply half an hour’s drive north. The sanctuary is a rescue and rehabilitation heart offering specialist veterinary take care of injured sloths. Some long-stay residents have sadly been deemed unsuitable for launch. Still, the overwhelming majority are launched again into the wild match and wholesome.
The Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica welcomes guests on guided excursions. You can hear extra concerning the sloths’ tales, their accidents, and the conservation efforts the sanctuary is pioneering. You may see the extra sensible facet of their rehab – like motor coaching on their out of doors climbing frames. If you like animals and need to help noble conservation efforts, then the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica is one in your itinerary.
5. Take a browsing lesson at Playa Cocles
Costa Rica is shortly establishing itself as a gem on the browsing scene. Whether you’re a professional already or are simply wanting to develop the fundamentals, surf classes are one of the crucial enjoyable issues to do in Puerto Viejo. You can brush up in your expertise and nail some spectacular strikes whereas appreciating gorgeous views of the Costa Rican shoreline.
Playa Cocles isn’t solely one in every of Costa Rica’s most gorgeous seashores but in addition top-of-the-line spots for a surf lesson. The laid-back seaside is a calming spot with numerous house, excellent for browsing with much less of a crowded really feel of different well-liked surf spots like Playa Grande.
Playa Cocles is an uncovered seaside and reef break with nice surf, regardless of the tide – making it a dependable place for browsing classes. Even higher? Playa Cocles is only a ten-minute drive (or a fifty-minute coastal stroll) away from Puerto Viejo city heart.
6. Take an in a single day journey
There are so many issues to do in Puerto Viejo. But, when you keep for every week or longer, it is best to reap the benefits of Puerto Viejo’s excellent location. Puerto Viejo is ideally located on the Caribbean Sea and is a perfect base for a lot of unimaginable in a single day journeys. Get prepared to add these two journeys to your listing.
How does ticking off two international locations in one journey sound? Since Puerto Viejo is positioned proper subsequent to the Panama border, it is just becoming that you just dedicate a day or two to visiting the opposite facet. We recommend catching a shuttle throughout the Panama border and visiting Bocas del Toro.
Bocas del Toro is famed for overwater lodges, so that you’ll find a way to discover some stunning lodging. It can also be an excellent spot to entry the jungle and go scuba diving or snorkeling.
If the trouble of a border crossing doesn’t sound engaging, why not take an in a single day journey in Costa Rica? La Fortuna is a unbelievable vacation spot in case you are in geothermal exercise and is taken into account the gateway to Arenal Volcano National Park. You can spend time at Tabacon Hot Springs and admire the Chato and Arenal volcanoes. Just catch one of many shuttle buses between Puerto Viejo and La Fortuna.
We advocate in a single day journeys solely for individuals who love additional adventures and are excited on the prospect of more difficult issues to do from Puerto Viejo. For those that really feel this can be an excessive amount of effort, don’t fear; there are nonetheless loads of issues to do in Puerto Viejo in your doorstep.
7. Playa Negra
Playa Negra is well one of the crucial photogenic spots in Puerto Viejo and one other one of the crucial stunning seashores on the Caribbean coast. For those that know a little bit of Spanish, you might have already guessed that Playa Negra is a black sand seaside. Visiting the seaside is a must-do in case you are in search of issues to do in Puerto Viejo. The pure attraction is exceptionally putting.
Playa Negra is positioned close to Puerto Viejo, so it’s simply slotted into busy itineraries. It is a superb place to take a fast detour between close by points of interest. However, Playa Negra can also be an incredible browsing and sunbathing spot in case you have extra time to spend there.
8. Go horseback driving on Playa Chiquita
Just a twelve-minute drive down the coast from Puerto Viejo, you’ll discover Playa Chiquita. Playa Chiquita is a serene, tropical seaside – superb for a romantic seaside day. But for additional pleasure, ebook a horseback driving expertise on the seaside.
The tour firm Playa Chiquita Riding Adventures provides seaside rides that begin from an hour and may be prolonged to 2.5-hour experiences. Horseback driving on the seaside is a dream for a lot of, and Playa Chiquita is a fantastic place to make that dream a actuality. You don’t want to be an skilled rider to benefit from the tour. Since it’s a personal tour, you’ll have your information’s full consideration when you want any additional help. Riding alongside the attractive seashores of the southern Caribbean coast can be a reminiscence that lasts a lifetime.
If you need an thrilling however romantic factor to do close to Puerto Viejo, horseback driving on Playa Chiquita undoubtedly ticks the field. Consider combining it with a go to to the Jaguar Rescue Center or Playa Cocles, that are a brief stroll from the driving heart.
9. Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Visiting Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is among the high issues to do in Puerto Viejo for nature lovers. Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is dwelling to some stunning wildlife. You can simply spend a day on its mountain climbing trails and seashores. And the reserve is only a twenty-minute drive south of Puerto Viejo city heart.
Keep your eyes peeled for animals like sloths and monkeys in the treetops. Along the shoreline, you’re possible to spot hermit crabs and, in case you are fortunate, dolphins. Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is the very best place close to Puerto Viejo to see animals in their pure habitat. Costa Rica’s wildlife is extremely various, and this refuge is a superb place to admire that.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is the right time out for any animal or nature lover. The refuge provides a great immersion when you haven’t skilled the rainforest earlier than. Bring bug spray, loads of water, a swimsuit, and snorkeling gear if you would like to go snorkeling over the coral reef while you attain the ocean.
10. Tortuguero National Park
Once you’ve visited Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Tortuguero National Park ought to undoubtedly be in your listing. The nationwide park is among the trickiest locations to go to close to Puerto Viejo since it’s distant and has few roads. But the draw is powerful because the park is dwelling to sea turtles and a few of the most dramatic jungle surroundings. This half-day tour is an effective manner to see it from San Jose.
We recommend reserving a ship tour – which can whisk you across the distant canals you in any other case might by no means entry. You’ll spot caimans, toucans, and, hopefully, endangered sea turtles. If you go to between July and September, there’s an opportunity that you just’ll spot turtles nesting. Tortuguero National Park is dwelling to leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and inexperienced sea turtles. All of those come again to their birthplace to lay their very own eggs annually.
This 5 day tour helps you to expertise a special facet of Costa Rica combining 5 days in Tortuguero NP and Puerto Viejo. Leaving from San Jose, you’ll spend 5 days touring Costa Rica’s Caribbean together with lodging and transportation.
11. Go kayaking at Playa Punta Uva
A go to to Playa Punta Uva is at all times enjoyable, however for an additional expertise, hire a kayak or buy a guided kayaking tour. The seaside is famed for its calm waters and serene environment and tends to be quiet and with out crowds most days. You’ll have a simple introduction to ocean kayaking.
From your kayak, you may discover the shoreline and entry all these areas you couldn’t on foot or by swimming. Kayaking is among the greatest water actions to mix a health problem with sightseeing. Playa Punta Uva is only a 20-minute drive from Puerto Viejo. For the very best expertise, go to Punta Uva through the week slightly weekend to keep away from the additional crowds.
12. Go snorkeling at Playa Manzanillo
Playa Manzanillo is only a 20-minute drive away from Puerto Viejo, and when you like marine life, it’s a excellent spot to go to. Playa Manzanillo is well-liked amongst divers and snorkelers alike, who love the seaside for its calm waters and vibrant underwater surroundings. But snorkeling at Playa Manzanillo is the least technical of the 2 and equally rewarding. Dolphin sightings are widespread, and, once in a while, you may spot manatees visiting the waters from their close by mangroves.
If you don’t have your individual snorkeling gear, you may simply hire some from the rental retailers alongside Manzanillo’s beachfront. Just drop by a spot like Bad Bart’s and hire some gear for just a few hours.
13. Spend a lazy morning at Playa Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Playa Puerto Viejo will not be one in every of Costa Rica’s greatest seashores. It is small, not notably stunning, and backs straight onto the busy city of Puerto Viejo. So why must you go to, you might ask. In quick, Playa Puerto Viejo has the very best environment of all of the seashores in this information.
Playa Puerto Viejo is a beloved native spot to loosen up and unwind. You can do the identical, often whereas listening to the background sound of reggae music. Because of its central location, visiting Playa Puerto Viejo is among the most handy issues to do in Puerto Viejo. And, when you’ve spent just a few hours on the seaside, you may head to the row of beachfront bars to social gathering or seize some meals.
14. Take a chocolate tour
Most individuals know the origins of chocolate. Seeing the cacao timber and the method in individual, although, is a special expertise fully. Since chocolate has such an illustrious, prolonged historical past in Costa Rica, it is just becoming that you’ve got this expertise right here. And even higher, Puerto Viejo has its personal chocolate farm.
In Puerto Viejo, you may take a unbelievable chocolate tour. The tour features a guided stroll by way of the cacao forest, the place you be taught concerning the historical past and science behind chocolate. Of course, the chocolate tour whisks you away for a tasting session (be warned, early chocolate was bitter). There can also be an opportunity to get a glimpse into the manufacturing course of.
Out of all of the Caribbean meals you possibly can style in Costa Rica, chocolate is among the greatest domestically produced meals. A chocolate tour is a enjoyable (and scrumptious) manner you be taught concerning the course of first-hand.
15. Cahuita National Park
If you’re visiting Costa Rica and love nature and wildlife, you need to go to Cahuita National Park. The nationwide park is a component marine and half land reserve. It is alleged that its reef homes over 500 species of fish, so you may simply think about how colourful and energetic the marine reserve is. On land, you’ll discover monkeys, nesting sea turtles, and a whole bunch of chicken species.
Cahuita National Park is only a 20-minute drive north of Cahuita National Park. It is a perfect day journey from Puerto Viejo, and you’ll spend hours wandering the mountain climbing trails by way of the coastal jungle. Visiting Cahuita National Park is an energetic exercise close to Puerto Viejo. You’ll be bountifully rewarded in your efforts with wildlife sightings galore. Make certain to convey a digital camera and your water bottle – you’ll want each in equal doses.
16. Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center
The Jaguar Rescue Center’s identify is slightly deceptive. You received’t simply discover jaguars at this animal hospital, however animals of all sizes and shapes. You might come face-to-face with a primate, m0nkey, or reptile. All the animals are present process rehab to nurse them again into well being for launch again into the wild or have been deemed unsuitable for launch and are staying completely. The Jaguar Rescue Center does a unbelievable job advocating for and aiding injured wildlife.
You can take self-guided excursions of the Jaguar Rescue Center to see what this system is all about. The proceeds go in direction of working the charity and caring for all residents, so it’s good to know that your cash goes in direction of a worthwhile trigger. The Jaguar Rescue Center is among the most healthful issues to do in Puerto Viejo.
Puerto Viejo FAQs
Now that we’ve lined all the very best issues to do in Puerto Viejo, what else do you want to know? There is rather a lot to talk about Puerto Viejo, so this subsequent part will present FAQs for all probably the most generally requested questions. Let’s get began.
How to get to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Puerto Viejo doesn’t have its personal airport, which is smart, contemplating it is just a small city. However, there are two airports comparatively close by which you could fly to attain Puerto Viejo.
The quickest manner to get to Puerto Viejo is to fly into Limon International Airport. You can hire a automobile from right here and drive simply an hour south alongside Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast to Puerto Viejo. If you don’t drive, you can even ebook a shuttle on-line or in individual on the day. The primary shuttle firm known as Caribe Shuttle and operates thrice a day, taking about an hour to attain Puerto Viejo.
If you’re struggling to discover frequent flights to Limon International Airport, contemplate our second choice. This (additionally sometimes cheaper) choice is to fly into San Jose International Airport. However, it does take slightly longer to attain Puerto Viejo when you land. Once you arrive in San Jose, you’ll have to hire a automobile and drive 4 to 5 hours to Puerto Viejo. Alternatively, catch a three-hour shuttle with an organization like Willie’s Tours Costa Rica Shuttles or a less expensive seven-hour public bus.
Getting round Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Getting round Puerto Viejo is a bit of cake. The Puerto Viejo space is so tiny which you could simply discover it on foot. Any native points of interest throughout the city are accessible on foot, like Playa Negra and the bars downtown. Even when you don’t fancy strolling, there are many bike leases to profit from, and you’ll be zipping round in no time.
Cycling to close by cities and points of interest like Manzanillo and the Jaguar Rescue Center is extraordinarily easy. Think of motorcycle leases as the right resolution if you would like to sightsee simply exterior Puerto Viejo. It is speedier than strolling, and rental prices are low, making it a budget-friendly manner to get round.
Ideally, if you would like to go to locations additional afield, it is best to rent a automobile. You’ll want to adapt to completely different driving types and highway circumstances. Still, with a little bit of endurance and apply (and insurance coverage), you’ll quickly admire the liberty.
Sometimes you actually do want public transport. If you don’t drive, public transport can be your solely choice to go to additional afield. Finding return taxis in distant locations may be tough, and taxi costs can shortly add up anyway. Luckily two Puerto Viejo buses join the city with the remainder of the southern Caribbean coast. The two routes run from Limon to Sixaola and Limon to Manzanillo, stopping at notable locations like Bri Bri and Cahuita alongside the way in which. It is simple to get round Puerto Viejo utilizing buses. Just verify the timetables beforehand, because the Limon to Manzanillo service may be slightly sporadic.
The greatest time to go to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
The greatest time to go to Puerto Viejo is between February and April or September to October. These months are the driest and have probably the most nice temperatures, offering the very best climate in your keep.
However, when you’ve obtained the selection, we’d advocate visiting in September or October. This manner, you’ll be arriving simply in time for the tip of the turtle nesting interval and have the best likelihood of seeing child turtles. If you’ve but to see child turtles, it is best to undoubtedly go to throughout this era.
September and October are additionally the optimum snorkeling season. These are the months to go to if you would like to get pleasure from recognizing turtles and snorkeling in calmer, clearer waters.
Where to keep in Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
So, final however not least, the place must you keep in Puerto Viejo? Despite being slightly city, Puerto Viejo has numerous lodging choices. Whatever your funds, it is best to discover one thing applicable – so long as you don’t go away reserving lodging too late. These are our high suggestions for every funds.
Luxury: Umami Hotel
Umami Hotel is a luxurious five-star lodge in Puerto Viejo’s heart. Guests entry a spa, out of doors pool, and room service. All rooms embrace luxurious facilities like a patio or balcony, plus tea and coffee-making amenities. Check evaluations and charges on Booking.com
The lodge’s inside design is tasteful and comfy, with no expense spared. Umami Hotel is the one for you if you would like a glitzy and upscale place to keep in Puerto Viejo.
Mid-range: Selina Hostel Puerto Viejo
Selina Hostel Puerto Viejo is a fantastic two-star hostel, ideally suited to a mid-range funds. The charming property has a big out of doors pool, though you’re only a seven-minute stroll from Cocles Beach if you would like to swim in the ocean as a substitute. Further amenities embrace an informal restaurant, shared kitchen, child’s playground, surf membership, and scenic terrace. Check evaluations and charges on Booking.com
The hostel has assorted room choices; you may select between dorms, personal rooms, and full two-bedroom flats. There are even glamping choices in teepee tents if you would like a very adventurous expertise.
Budget: Pagalu Hostel
Low-key and budget-friendly, Pagalu Hostel is a fantastic place to keep in the middle of Puerto Viejo. Guests obtain locker entry, wi-fi, parking, and all-day tea and occasional. The communal areas are extremely cozy, with a terrace with hammocks and a separate patio space. Check evaluations and charges on Booking.com
Choose between a personal room or a basic hostel dormitory. If you need to splash out, you may improve to select a personal room with an ensuite.
To Conclude
Excited to check out this stuff to do in Puerto Viejo? You needs to be. The city is a fantastic and fun-packed vacation spot in Costa Rica and the right spot for an entertaining getaway.
If you get the prospect, try our final Costa Rica journey suggestions earlier than you go. Otherwise, have a unbelievable journey; we hope that you just expertise as a lot of this stuff to do in Puerto Viejo as doable.