So, what are the most effective issues to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica? Will you stick to the seaside and log on, 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 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 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 situated 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 maintain you entertained.
The drive from San Jose to Costa Rica is sort of two hours. You can e-book a personal switch immediately to your lodging, or you’ll be able to take the extra reasonably priced shuttle service. It takes longer however is way 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 filled with conventional dishes to pattern. You can both study 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 when you get the prospect to strive it, and the dish is flavored with candy coconut milk. You are certain to pattern some dishes that you just’ll need to strive once more at residence.
You can simply e-book a guided tour or cooking lesson on-line. If you might be solely visiting for just a few days or throughout peak season, we’d suggest reserving in advance. Saying that cooking classes are good rainy-day actions, which is one thing to maintain 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 the most effective 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 celebration 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 an area 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 group 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 decide which one, as each are comparatively comparable 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 surprising plunge pool that’s deep sufficient for you to have a refreshing swim. Remember to convey a digital camera so you’ll be able to 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 likely one of 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 middle 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 in regards to 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 outside climbing frames. If you’re keen on animals and need to assist noble conservation efforts, then the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica is one to your itinerary.
5. Take a browsing lesson at Playa Cocles
Costa Rica is rapidly 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 vital 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 shouldn’t be solely one in every of Costa Rica’s most gorgeous seashores but additionally the most effective spots for a surf lesson. The laid-back seaside is a calming spot with plenty of area, good for browsing with much less of a crowded really feel of different common 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 middle.
6. Take an in a single day journey
There are so many issues to do in Puerto Viejo. But, when you keep for per week or longer, you need to reap the benefits 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 unimaginable in a single day journeys. Get prepared to add these two journeys to your checklist.
How does ticking off two international locations in one journey sound? Since Puerto Viejo is situated proper subsequent to the Panama border, it’s only 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 have the option to discover some lovely lodging. It can be a superb spot to entry the jungle and go scuba diving or snorkeling.
If the trouble of a border crossing doesn’t sound attractive, 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 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 will probably 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 definitely one of the vital photogenic spots in Puerto Viejo and one other one of the vital lovely seashores on the Caribbean coast. For those that know a little bit of Spanish, you’ll have already guessed that Playa Negra is a black sand seaside. Visiting the seaside is a must-do in case you are searching for 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 superb place to take a fast detour between close by points of interest. However, Playa Negra can be a terrific browsing and sunbathing spot when you have extra time to spend there.
8. Go horseback using 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 – ultimate for a romantic seaside day. But for further pleasure, e-book a horseback using expertise on the seaside.
The tour firm Playa Chiquita Riding Adventures affords seaside rides that begin from an hour and might be prolonged to 2.5-hour experiences. Horseback using on the seaside is a dream for a lot of, and Playa Chiquita is an exquisite 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 when you want any further help. Riding alongside the attractive seashores of the southern Caribbean coast will probably be a reminiscence that lasts a lifetime.
If you need an thrilling however romantic factor to do close to Puerto Viejo, horseback using on Playa Chiquita positively 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 using middle.
9. Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Visiting Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is likely one of the high issues to do in Puerto Viejo for nature lovers. Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is residence to some lovely natural world. 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 middle.
Keep your eyes peeled for animals like sloths and monkeys in the treetops. Along the shoreline, you might be 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 numerous, and this refuge is a good place to admire that.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is the right time out for any animal or nature lover. The refuge affords a really perfect immersion when you haven’t skilled the rainforest earlier than. Bring bug spray, loads of water, a swimsuit, and snorkeling gear in order for you to go snorkeling over the coral reef once you attain the ocean.
10. Tortuguero National Park
Once you’ve visited Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, Tortuguero National Park ought to positively be in your checklist. The nationwide park is likely one of the trickiest locations to go to close to Puerto Viejo since it’s distant and has few roads. But the draw is powerful for the reason that park is residence to sea turtles and a few of the most dramatic jungle surroundings. This half-day tour is an effective approach 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 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 stress-free, 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’ll be able to discover the shoreline and entry all these areas you couldn’t on foot or by swimming. Kayaking is likely one of the finest 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 in the course of the week relatively 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 good spot to go to. Playa Manzanillo is common 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 frequent, and, occasionally, 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 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 finest seashores. It is small, not significantly lovely, and backs straight onto the busy city of Puerto Viejo. So why must you 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 chill out and unwind. You can do the identical, normally whereas listening to the background sound of reggae music. Because of its central location, visiting Playa Puerto Viejo is likely one of the most handy issues to do in Puerto Viejo. And, when you may have spent just a few hours on the seaside, you’ll be able to head to the row of beachfront bars to celebration or seize some meals.
14. Take a chocolate tour
Most folks know the origins of chocolate. Seeing the cacao timber and the method in individual, although, is a special expertise completely. Since chocolate has such an illustrious, prolonged historical past in Costa Rica, it’s only 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 unbelievable chocolate tour. The tour features a guided stroll by the cacao forest, the place you study in regards to 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 could possibly style in Costa Rica, chocolate is likely one of the finest domestically produced meals. A chocolate tour is a enjoyable (and scrumptious) approach you study in regards to the course of first-hand.
15. Cahuita National Park
If you might be visiting Costa Rica and love nature and wildlife, it’s essential to go to Cahuita National Park. The nationwide park is part marine and half land reserve. It is alleged 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 bunch of chook 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 the coastal jungle. Visiting Cahuita National Park is an lively exercise close to Puerto Viejo. You’ll be bountifully rewarded to 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 a bit of deceptive. You gained’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 helping 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 likely one of 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 lots to talk about Puerto Viejo, so this subsequent part will present FAQs for all essentially 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’s only a small city. However, there are two airports comparatively close by which you could fly to attain Puerto Viejo.
The quickest approach 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, it’s also possible to e-book a shuttle on-line or in individual on the day. The most important shuttle firm is named Caribe Shuttle and operates thrice a day, taking about an hour to attain Puerto Viejo.
If you might be struggling to discover frequent flights to Limon International Airport, take into account our second possibility. This (additionally usually cheaper) possibility is to fly into San Jose International Airport. However, it does take a bit of 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 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 take advantage of, 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 simple. Think of motorcycle leases as the right answer in order for you to sightsee simply exterior Puerto Viejo. It is speedier than strolling, and rental prices are low, making it a budget-friendly approach to get round.
Ideally, in order for you to go to locations additional afield, you need to rent a automotive. You’ll want to adapt to totally different driving types and street situations. Still, with a little bit of endurance and observe (and insurance coverage), you’ll quickly admire the liberty.
Sometimes you actually do want public transport. If you don’t drive, public transport will probably be your solely possibility to go to additional afield. Finding return taxis in distant locations might be tough, and taxi costs can rapidly 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 best way. It is straightforward to get round Puerto Viejo utilizing buses. Just verify the timetables beforehand, because the Limon to Manzanillo service might be relatively sporadic.
The finest time to go to Puerto Viejo De Talamanca
The finest time to go to Puerto Viejo is between February and April or September to October. These months are the driest and have essentially the most nice temperatures, offering the most effective climate to your keep.
However, when you’ve received the selection, we’d suggest visiting in September or October. This approach, you’ll be arriving simply in time for the tip of the turtle nesting interval and have the very best likelihood of seeing child turtles. If you may have but to see child turtles, you need to positively go to throughout this era.
September and October are additionally the optimum snorkeling season. These are the months to go to in order for you 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 a bit of city, Puerto Viejo has loads of lodging choices. Whatever your finances, you need to discover one thing applicable – so long as you don’t go away reserving lodging too late. These are our high suggestions for every finances.
Luxury: Umami Hotel
Umami Hotel is a luxurious five-star resort in Puerto Viejo’s middle. Guests entry a spa, outside 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 in order for you a glitzy and upscale place to keep in Puerto Viejo.
Mid-range: Selina Hostel Puerto Viejo
Selina Hostel Puerto Viejo is an exquisite two-star hostel, ideally suited to a mid-range finances. The charming property has a big outside pool, though you might be only a seven-minute stroll from Cocles Beach in order for you to swim in the ocean as an alternative. Further services embody an informal restaurant, shared kitchen, child’s playground, surf membership, and scenic terrace. Check critiques and charges on Booking.com
The hostel has various room choices; you’ll be able to select between dorms, non-public rooms, and whole two-bedroom residences. There are even glamping choices in teepee tents in order for you a extremely adventurous expertise.
Budget: Pagalu Hostel
Low-key and budget-friendly, Pagalu Hostel is an exquisite place to keep in the middle of Puerto Viejo. Guests obtain locker entry, wi-fi, parking, and all-day tea and low. 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 personal room or a traditional hostel dormitory. If you need to splash out, you’ll be able to 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 an exquisite 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 ideas 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 attainable.