So, what are the most effective issues to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica? Will you stick to the seashore and log on, take a meals tour, and even use the city as a launchpad for an unbelievable in a single day journey? Let’s have a look!
The southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is famend for its lovely 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 incredible 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 situated on the Caribbean aspect 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 e-book a non-public switch immediately to your lodging, or you’ll be able to take the extra inexpensive shuttle service. It takes longer however is way more inexpensive.
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 most effective domestically identified 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 embody Gallo pinto, olla de Carne, and Casado. Caribbean hen (Pollo Caribeno) can be tasty if you happen to get the possibility 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 residence.
You can simply e-book a guided tour or cooking lesson on-line. If you’re solely visiting for a number of days or throughout peak season, we’d suggest reserving in advance. Saying that cooking classes are excellent rainy-day actions, which is one thing to hold in thoughts if you happen to face a day of unhealthy climate.
2. Party in Downtown Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo has an thrilling leisure scene and among the best 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 occasion 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 spread 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 most effective place.
3. Visit the Bri Bri Waterfalls
A hike to a set of gorgeous waterfalls is a good way to spend a number of 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 deliver a digicam so you’ll be able to snap some photos of the expertise, too, because the waterfalls are actually 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 look after 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 can even see the extra sensible aspect 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 on 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 some of the enjoyable issues to do in Puerto Viejo. You can brush up in your abilities and nail some spectacular strikes whereas appreciating gorgeous views of the Costa Rican shoreline.
Playa Cocles will not be solely considered one of Costa Rica’s most gorgeous seashores but additionally among the best spots for a surf lesson. The laid-back seashore is a calming spot with plenty of house, excellent for browsing with much less of a crowded really feel of different in style surf spots like Playa Grande.
Playa Cocles is an uncovered seashore and reef break with nice surf, irrespective 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, if you happen to keep for per week or longer, it’s best to make the most of Puerto Viejo’s very good location. Puerto Viejo is ideally located on the Caribbean Sea and is a perfect base for a lot of unbelievable in a single day journeys. Get prepared to add these two journeys to your checklist.
How does ticking off two nations in one journey sound? Since Puerto Viejo is situated proper subsequent to the Panama border, it is just becoming that you just dedicate a day or two to visiting the opposite aspect. 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 have the option to discover some lovely lodging. It can 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 incredible 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 suggest in a single day journeys solely for many who love further 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 some of the photogenic spots in Puerto Viejo and one other some of the lovely seashores on the Caribbean coast. For those that know a little bit of Spanish, you could have already guessed that Playa Negra is a black sand seashore. Visiting the seashore is a must-do in case you are in search of issues to do in Puerto Viejo. The pure attraction is exceptionally hanging.
Playa Negra is situated close to Puerto Viejo, so it’s simply slotted into busy itineraries. It is a wonderful place to take a fast detour between close by sights. However, Playa Negra can be a fantastic browsing and sunbathing spot when you’ve got 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 seashore – ultimate for a romantic seashore day. But for further pleasure, e-book a horseback driving expertise on the seashore.
The tour firm Playa Chiquita Riding Adventures gives seashore rides that begin from an hour and could be prolonged to 2.5-hour experiences. Horseback driving on the seashore is a dream for a lot of, and Playa Chiquita is a gorgeous 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 non-public tour, you’ll have your information’s full consideration if you happen to want any further help. Riding alongside the gorgeous 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 residence to some lovely wildlife. You can simply spend a day on its mountaineering 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 seemingly to spot hermit crabs and, in case you are fortunate, dolphins. Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is the most effective 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 respect that.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is the right time out for any animal or nature lover. The refuge gives a great immersion if you happen to haven’t skilled the rainforest earlier than. Bring bug spray, loads of water, a swimsuit, and snorkeling gear if you need to go snorkeling over the coral reef whenever 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 checklist. 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 robust for the reason that park is residence to sea turtles and among the most dramatic jungle surroundings. This half-day tour is an effective method 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 residence to leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and inexperienced sea turtles. All of those come again to their birthplace to lay their very own eggs every year.
This 5 day tour helps you to expertise a distinct aspect 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 stress-free, however for an additional expertise, hire a kayak or buy a guided kayaking tour. The seashore 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’ll be able to 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 most effective expertise, go to Punta Uva throughout the week moderately 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 if you happen to like marine life, it’s a excellent place to go to. Playa Manzanillo is in style amongst divers and snorkelers alike, who love the seashore 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, from time to time, you’ll be able to spot manatees visiting the waters from their close by mangroves.
If you don’t have your personal snorkeling gear, you’ll be able to simply hire some from the rental retailers alongside Manzanillo’s beachfront. Just drop by a spot like Bad Bart’s and hire some tools for a number of hours.
13. Spend a lazy morning at Playa Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
Playa Puerto Viejo will not be considered one of Costa Rica’s greatest seashores. It is small, not significantly lovely, and backs straight onto the busy city of Puerto Viejo. So why do you have to go to, you could ask. In brief, Playa Puerto Viejo has the most effective environment of all of the seashores in this information.
Playa Puerto Viejo is a beloved native spot to calm down 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 may have spent a number of hours on the seashore, you’ll be able to head to the row of beachfront bars to occasion or seize some meals.
14. Take a chocolate tour
Most folks know the origins of chocolate. Seeing the cacao bushes and the method in individual, although, is a distinct expertise totally. Since chocolate has such an illustrious, prolonged historical past in Costa Rica, it is just becoming that you’ve this expertise right here. And even higher, Puerto Viejo has its personal chocolate farm.
In Puerto Viejo, you’ll be able to take a incredible 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 be an opportunity to get a glimpse into the manufacturing course of.
Out of all of the Caribbean meals you would style in Costa Rica, chocolate is among the greatest domestically produced meals. A chocolate tour is a enjoyable (and scrumptious) method 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 claimed that its reef homes over 500 species of fish, so you’ll be able to simply think about how colourful and full of life the marine reserve is. On land, you’ll discover monkeys, nesting sea turtles, and a whole lot 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 may spend hours wandering the mountaineering trails by way of the coastal jungle. Visiting Cahuita National Park is an energetic exercise close to Puerto Viejo. You’ll be bountifully rewarded on your efforts with wildlife sightings galore. Make certain to deliver a digicam and your water bottle – you’ll want each in equal doses.
16. Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center
The Jaguar Rescue Center’s identify is just a little deceptive. You received’t simply discover jaguars at this animal hospital, however animals of all styles and sizes. 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 incredible 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 the direction of working the charity and caring for all residents, so it’s good to know that your cash goes in the 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 most effective 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 sensible, 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 method to get to Puerto Viejo is to fly into Limon International Airport. You can hire a automotive from right here and drive simply an hour south alongside Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast to Puerto Viejo. If you don’t drive, you may as well e-book a shuttle on-line or in individual on the day. The major shuttle firm is known as Caribe Shuttle and operates 3 times 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 possibility. This (additionally usually cheaper) possibility is to fly into San Jose International Airport. However, it does take just a little longer to attain Puerto Viejo when you land. Once you arrive in San Jose, you’ll have to hire a automotive 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 sights inside the city are accessible on foot, like Playa Negra and the bars downtown. Even if you happen to don’t fancy strolling, there are many bike leases to benefit from, and you may be zipping round in no time.
Cycling to close by cities and sights like Manzanillo and the Jaguar Rescue Center is extraordinarily simple. Think of motorbike leases as the right resolution if you need to sightsee simply outdoors Puerto Viejo. It is speedier than strolling, and rental prices are low, making it a budget-friendly method to get round.
Ideally, if you need to go to locations additional afield, it’s best to rent a automotive. You’ll want to adapt to completely different driving types and street situations. Still, with a little bit of endurance and observe (and insurance coverage), you’ll quickly respect the liberty.
Sometimes you actually do want public transport. If you don’t drive, public transport can be your solely possibility to go to additional afield. Finding return taxis in distant locations could be troublesome, 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 examine the timetables beforehand, because the Limon to Manzanillo service could be moderately 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 most effective climate on your keep.
However, if you happen to’ve bought the selection, we’d suggest visiting in September or October. This method, 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 may have but to see child turtles, it’s 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 need 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 do you have to keep in Puerto Viejo? Despite being just a little city, Puerto Viejo has a whole lot of lodging choices. Whatever your price range, it’s best to discover one thing acceptable – so long as you don’t go away reserving lodging too late. These are our high suggestions for every price range.
Luxury: Umami Hotel
Umami Hotel is a luxurious five-star resort in Puerto Viejo’s heart. Guests entry a spa, out of doors pool, and room service. All rooms embody luxurious facilities like a patio or balcony, plus tea and coffee-making services. Check critiques and charges on Booking.com
The resort’s inside design is tasteful and cozy, with no expense spared. Umami Hotel is the one for you if you need a glitzy and upscale place to keep in Puerto Viejo.
Mid-range: Selina Hostel Puerto Viejo
Selina Hostel Puerto Viejo is a gorgeous two-star hostel, ideally suited to a mid-range price range. The charming property has a big out of doors pool, though you’re only a seven-minute stroll from Cocles Beach if you need to swim in the ocean as an alternative. Further services embody an off-the-cuff restaurant, shared kitchen, child’s playground, surf membership, and scenic terrace. Check critiques and charges on Booking.com
The hostel has assorted room choices; you’ll be able to select between dorms, non-public rooms, and full two-bedroom flats. There are even glamping choices in teepee tents if you need a extremely adventurous expertise.
Budget: Pagalu Hostel
Low-key and budget-friendly, Pagalu Hostel is a gorgeous 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 critiques and charges on Booking.com
Choose between a non-public room or a basic hostel dormitory. If you need to splash out, you’ll be able to improve to select a non-public room with an ensuite.
To Conclude
Excited to check out this stuff to do in Puerto Viejo? You must be. The city is a gorgeous and fun-packed vacation spot in Costa Rica and the right spot for an entertaining getaway.
If you get the possibility, take a look at our final Costa Rica journey ideas earlier than you go. Otherwise, have a incredible journey; we hope that you just expertise as a lot of this stuff to do in Puerto Viejo as doable.