Explore Puerto Viejo and Beyond
Beaches
Here are some of the must-see places you won't want to miss!
This stunning stretch of beach has been continuously rated as one of the top 10 most beautiful in the world. Be sure to check out the north side (Playa Punta Uva) and south side (Playa Arrecife) of the point. Here you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling and find food. If you're lucky, you may even get to view the Turrialba Volcano on a clear day!
25 locals recommend
Playa Punta Uva
This stunning stretch of beach has been continuously rated as one of the top 10 most beautiful in the world. Be sure to check out the north side (Playa Punta Uva) and south side (Playa Arrecife) of the point. Here you can enjoy swimming, kayaking, parasailing, snorkeling and find food. If you're lucky, you may even get to view the Turrialba Volcano on a clear day!
With two sections of this wide sandy beach, you can enjoy surfing or sunbathing, snorkeling or swimming on this fabulous stretch of beach. Kids can explore the tidal pools of the south section and be protected from the waves. For the best surf, enter near Hotel Isla Inn and for the easiest access to the tidal pools, use the access path across from the entrance to the Jaguar Rescue Center.
45 locals recommend
Playa Cocles
With two sections of this wide sandy beach, you can enjoy surfing or sunbathing, snorkeling or swimming on this fabulous stretch of beach. Kids can explore the tidal pools of the south section and be protected from the waves. For the best surf, enter near Hotel Isla Inn and for the easiest access to the tidal pools, use the access path across from the entrance to the Jaguar Rescue Center.
This colorful little village lies at the end of the coastal road at the entrance of the Gandoca Wildlife Refuge. Take a day trip to explore the area and enjoy picture perfect beaches. The view from the Mirador is a must see! We recommend to hire a guide to explore the further hiking trails into the thick jungle where you'll see animals of all sorts.
71 locals recommend
Manzanillo
This colorful little village lies at the end of the coastal road at the entrance of the Gandoca Wildlife Refuge. Take a day trip to explore the area and enjoy picture perfect beaches. The view from the Mirador is a must see! We recommend to hire a guide to explore the further hiking trails into the thick jungle where you'll see animals of all sorts.
Animals
A true rescue, rehabilitate and release centre which dedicates it's existence to helping the wildlife in our area.
119 locals recommend
Jaguar Rescue Center
A true rescue, rehabilitate and release centre which dedicates it's existence to helping the wildlife in our area.
This organization single handedly has brought back the wild population of Macaws in Costa Rica. We're fortunate on the Caribbean coast to be one of only places in the world where you can see the Great Green Macaw.
This tour gets you up close to the wild birds as they feed on a supplemented diet provided by The Ara Project.
18 locals recommend
Ara Manzanillo
This organization single handedly has brought back the wild population of Macaws in Costa Rica. We're fortunate on the Caribbean coast to be one of only places in the world where you can see the Great Green Macaw.
This tour gets you up close to the wild birds as they feed on a supplemented diet provided by The Ara Project.
Ride the pristine beaches and jungle Paradise on the gentle giants of Caribe Horse. Most of these horses have been rescued and rehabilitated from different areas of Costa Rica, giving them a chance to live out the rest of their lives with love and adventure.
6 locals recommend
Caribe Horse Riding Club
Ride the pristine beaches and jungle Paradise on the gentle giants of Caribe Horse. Most of these horses have been rescued and rehabilitated from different areas of Costa Rica, giving them a chance to live out the rest of their lives with love and adventure.
Food Scene
Tried, tested and true! These are the restaurants we love to dine at.
Meet Stashu, a long ago transplanted foreigner who has created the most delicious blend of spices from his global life experiences to compliment each of his dishes. If you like curry blends, this is the place for you! Be sure to catch the sunset from the second floor patio of his restaurant in downtown Puerto Viejo.
30 locals recommend
Stashu's Con Fusion
Meet Stashu, a long ago transplanted foreigner who has created the most delicious blend of spices from his global life experiences to compliment each of his dishes. If you like curry blends, this is the place for you! Be sure to catch the sunset from the second floor patio of his restaurant in downtown Puerto Viejo.
Andrew spent years traveling and cooking around the globe before settling in Puerto Viejo. You'll enjoy fresh sushi and Thai inspired dishes from this beachfront location in downtown Puerto Viejo.
17 locals recommend
Chile Rojo
Andrew spent years traveling and cooking around the globe before settling in Puerto Viejo. You'll enjoy fresh sushi and Thai inspired dishes from this beachfront location in downtown Puerto Viejo.
If you don't know, now you know. This quaint little cafe tucked in on one of the side streets in Puerto Viejo is one of the best breakfast spots around. You'll feel the love put into every dish served.
Port Vell
Calle 213If you don't know, now you know. This quaint little cafe tucked in on one of the side streets in Puerto Viejo is one of the best breakfast spots around. You'll feel the love put into every dish served.
If you're looking for breakfast, lunch or dessert, look no further. This restaurant has a wide variety of dishes, all equally fantastic as the next. Be sure to save room for dessert here!
64 locals recommend
Bread & Chocolate
Calle 215If you're looking for breakfast, lunch or dessert, look no further. This restaurant has a wide variety of dishes, all equally fantastic as the next. Be sure to save room for dessert here!
Drop in for an amazing breakfast and buy a book here. This restaurant is only open for breakfast, which it does amazingly well. You can also find a wide variety of previously adored books for sale here.
27 locals recommend
Cafe Rico
Avenida 69Drop in for an amazing breakfast and buy a book here. This restaurant is only open for breakfast, which it does amazingly well. You can also find a wide variety of previously adored books for sale here.
Caribeans Chocolate Tour is a modern bean to bar cacao farm with a delicious cafe and coffee shop. This tour will educate you about the history of cacao and show you each step the bean takes before becoming the delicious morsel of heaven we all love to eat. Aside from the chocolate, the views from the tour's tasting bar above the sea gives you one of the best views in all the area.
The cafe below on the main road also has a chocolate tasting room where you can enjoy free samples of different bars. The food and coffee here is also delicious.
33 locals recommend
Caribeans Coffee & Chocolate
Caribeans Chocolate Tour is a modern bean to bar cacao farm with a delicious cafe and coffee shop. This tour will educate you about the history of cacao and show you each step the bean takes before becoming the delicious morsel of heaven we all love to eat. Aside from the chocolate, the views from the tour's tasting bar above the sea gives you one of the best views in all the area.
The cafe below on the main road also has a chocolate tasting room where you can enjoy free samples of different bars. The food and coffee here is also delicious.
Sightseeing
This waterfall is an easy to do half day trip. Pack a picnic to enjoy while you explore this beautiful property and cool off in the dipping pool below the falls. Be sure to hike up to the lookout point for a great view of Puerto Viejo from above.
FINCA TWO WATERS (waterfall)
This waterfall is an easy to do half day trip. Pack a picnic to enjoy while you explore this beautiful property and cool off in the dipping pool below the falls. Be sure to hike up to the lookout point for a great view of Puerto Viejo from above.
Traveler advice
Getting around
Travel Like A Local
The stretch of road between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo is only 13 kilometers long. This makes it easy for visitors to stay in one location while still getting to experience all the communities and beaches Puerto Viejo has to offer. If you're not in a hurry to see things, hop on a bicycle and explore the area. The road is mostly flat and well paved. Reach out to your host to help get you set up with rental bicycles for your stay.
You can also hire a tuktuk or taxi to get around if you prefer not to work up a sweat before you get to your destination.
What to pack
Pack Light and Prepare for Humidity
It's hot and humid here every day. This means you'll want light and flowy clothes, comfortable flip flops and skip bringing anything leather. The humidity here will cause mold to grow on things very quickly. If you aren't sure if you're going to wear it while you're here, don't bring it.
We locals have a two week rotation of clothing rule where if an item isn't worn within two weeks, it gets washed anyway.
Getting around
Local Travel
Tips for getting around the area:
Most people enjoy a scenic ride to their nearby destination via bicycle. You can rent one from many of the local shops, hotels or through your host. Just ask anyone where you can get hooked up with a bicycle.
Be mindful that the roads can be busy during peak seasons and the traffic doesn't always give you much space as they're passing by.
Taxis and tuktuks are abundant and easy to arrange. Flat rates are charged depending on where you are being picked up from and where you're going. There are no meters in so ask first to ensure you get the proper rate.