Things to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica | 2023 Guide

Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica (also known as Puerto Viejo de Talamanca) is a quaint port town on the southern Caribbean coast. The Caribbean side has an entirely different vibe. Although Costa Rica has many quaint ports throughout the country, Puerto Viejo still feels like an untouched, isolated gem waiting for someone to discover it.

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More remote than some of the popular destinations in Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo is a 4 to 5-hour drive from San Jose and is very close to the Panama border and Bocas del Toro.

We should mention up front Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, although extremely unspoiled, is not for everyone. Puerto Viejo town has more of a reggae hippy vibe that accompanies the Pura Vida lifestyle that Costa Rica has to offer. This also means ganja is free-flowing. No judgment on our part though. Many people don’t expect it, but we assure you it’s a magnificent coastal town. It’s beautiful to see this kind of bohemian diversity intact.

Guide to Visiting Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Beach views at Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
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How Unspoiled is Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica?

When we say unspoiled, we mean life is a tad slower than in other parts of Costa Rica. Some Westerners who visit Puerto Viejo complain that the roads may not be kept up. They are unspoiled and even unkempt at times. It’s the price you pay for living in a remote jungle.

Inside the Caribbean town of Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica, all the streets are dirt paved. The incredible beaches are pristine, and the air is fresh. It’s pretty incredible.

Apart from the quaint village feel with a great natural vibe, the residents are very friendly. So, if someone waves at you, feel free to say hello, and please always respect everyone.

Puerto viejo town

Puerto Viejo is a town in the province of Limon. Although it’s small, you’ll find a diverse population of Costa Ricans living here. The inhabitants consist of about 2,000 people, including the Bri-Bri indigenous population, Latino and African Caribbean.

Expats create a small portion of the population. Most expats are from Canada, Europe, South America, and the United States.

When to go to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Costa Rica has two seasons. Both seasons are hot and humid. However, one season is considered to be a dry season, and the other is a wet season. The wet season is primarily the summer months. It rains every day, which means it turns the heat into a living sauna.

Puerto Viejo is located in that unique section of the rainforest where the rain is spread throughout the year. In other words, it will be hot, muggy, and rainy at any time of the year. The good thing is the rain tends to stick to the evenings on this side of the country.

For example, during June, the average high is 28.3 ℃ (82.92 ℉), with the highest rainfall of the year. The lowest temperature is 23.3℃ (73.94 ℉). Expect July and August to be the same in terms of heat. Humidity reaches 80%. It’s toasty, but as travelers, this is part of what makes Costa Rica so diverse. It’s so different even the air makes itself known.

Guide to Visiting Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Surprisingly, the driest month of the year is September. So if you’re trying to figure out the best month to travel to Puerto Viejo town, with the smallest amount of rain and the most sunny weather, September is your best bet. It will still be hot, but you’ll stay dry-ish.

The interesting thing is September is a rainy month on the Pacific Coast.

Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica for First-Timers

Eco-tourists love visiting Costa Rica, and Puerto Viejo is a great destination for any traveler with an eco-conscious mindset. Considering how untouched it is, the residents and small expat community want to keep things as natural as possible.

Enjoy the Puerto Viejo Beach(es)

A popular Puerto Viejo beach is called Playa Negra, and it is located just north of town. It has black sand due to the volcanic activity in the country. It’s very unique. If you haven’t seen a black sand beach before, definitely come here and see what you’ve been missing. There’s also a sunken barge right off the beach. This barge has trees and plants growing out of it. It turns out the townspeople tried to create a breakwater and purposefully sank it.

The famous Playa Punta Uva is just a 15-minute drive from Puerto Viejo, and this white sand beach has been kept pristine due to local development laws. Don’t expect any beach bars or restaurants, but there are nearby tour operators where you can rent a kayak or surfboard. If you’re lucky, you might see some sloths in the trees that line this peaceful beach. 

Guide to Visiting Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Sunset at Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Playa Chiquita is Puerto Viejo’s most natural beach. In some spots, the trees grow right up to the water’s edge, and you can find a secluded spot to enjoy. You can see parts of the fossilized coral reef on this beach, and a live coral reef is just offshore. This beach is located between downtown Puerto Viejo and Playa Punta Uva, so you can visit both beaches on the same day if you need a break from the tourist crowds.

If you’d rather stay close to the hotel, Playa Puerto Viejo is conveniently located within walking distance of downtown Puerto Viejo and several hotels in the area. There are plenty of beachfront cafes, bars, and restaurants, and this is the spot to experience the nightlife.

The beaches around the town are beautiful. Make sure to take advantage of your time here to enjoy some fun in the sun. There is also a shipwreck on these beaches that happened a few years ago during a bad storm. It’s a site to see!

READ NEXT: Best Beaches in Costa Rica

Try Surfing

If you’re interested (and why wouldn’t you be?), you can go surfing in Playa Grande, Manzanillo, or Playa Negra. If you’re interested in surf lessons, Playa Cocles is the most popular beach for lessons. Prices range from $15 USD per lesson or $60 USD for 5 sessions with an instructor.

You can take surfing classes, be it just to pick up a few basics and ride your first wave or to sharpen your skills. If you’re interested Totem Surf School is a well-known popular school in Puerto Viejo. Prices range from $60 for a 2-hour lesson to $380 for a five-day surf package. If you just need to rent a board, rates are $15 for a 2-hour session, and they also rent SUPs for $40 per day.

puerto viejo costa rica, surfing

Go Scuba Diving

Whether you’re an experienced diver or have never tried it before, this area is great for scuba diving. Punta Uva and Manzanillo are two popular dive spots close to Puerto Viejo, and there are dive centers that offer lessons and tours. 

The live coral reefs and wildlife in both of these areas make for fun diving experiences. If you’re lucky, you might see some of the magnificent green sea turtles that live in the Caribbean.

puerto viejo costa rica, islet
An islet in Puerto Viejo

Visit Beautiful Cahuita Nature Park

If you’re in the mood to return to nature, check out Cahuita National Park. Cahuita is one of many reserves in the country. It was turned into a national park to protect the abundant wildlife, vegetation, and even the coastal life, like coral reefs and sea animals that reside here. You can enter by paying a donation and hike until your heart’s content.

You’ll see white face monkeys, caimans, sloths, lizards, and snakes in their natural habitat. The beaches consist of beautiful white-sand beaches. Even though this national park is not very touristy, it does have a road and even handicap access. 

cahuita national park, puerto viejo costa rica

puerto viejo costa rica
Three-toed sloth in Cahuita National Park.

Lizard in Cahuita National Park

White Water Rafting on Rio Pacuare

Book a white water rafting tour that will pick you up from Puerto Viejo and drive you to Rio Pacuare for the day. It’s an all-day activity, as the drive alone takes about 2-3 hours each day, but it’s a great way to experience a different side of a beach holiday!

flowing stream in puerto viejo costa rica

Hang Out in the Town

There are so many other things to do in the town of Puerto Viejo. It’s nice to take some time to wander the streets on foot or by bike, check out the local artisan shops, pop into yoga studios, and enjoy the laid-back atmosphere. 

Tour the Jaguar Rescue Center

If you plan on visiting Playa Chiquita, it’s worth making a stop at the Jaguar Rescue Center, which is about 2 km from the beach. This sanctuary is a temporary or permanent home for ill, injured, and orphaned animals who would otherwise be unable to survive in the wild.

Daily tours are offered to the public, and all of the admission fee goes directly to the care of the animals and maintenance of the facility. These tours typically start at 9:30am and 11:30am, and it’s a good idea to reserve your spot ahead of time on their website.

jaguar

Visit Manzanillo

Manzanillo is a traditional Caribbean town located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, located about 25 minutes outside of Puerto Viejo. This is a wonderful place to see wildlife, relax, and enjoy the laid-back Caribbean atmosphere. Don’t expect much of a nightlife in this town-this isn’t that kind of place.

Laws protecting the wildlife refuge prevent a lot of development typical of beach towns, so Playa Manzanillo is kept in its natural state. You can see nesting leatherback turtles on the beach or go on a rainforest hike through the wildlife refuge.

playa manzanillo
Playa Manzanillo

Go on a Chocolate Tour

This guided tour includes a visit to the Bribri Indigenous Village, where you’ll participate in a traditional Cacao Ceremony, enjoy a typical Bribri organic lunch, and join an organic chocolate-tasting session. The Chocolate Tour lasts about 5 hours and begins at the tour office near the Cahuita National Park main entrance.

cacao beans

Ecuador Amazon traditional cacao chocolate 05611

 

 

Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica?

We love a good deal when it comes to travel, which is why Airbnb might be a good option. Although, we should mention that even though Airbnb has decent prices, you should dig a little deeper. There are many expats that list their units on Airbnb and overcharge. If you’re trying to help the local community and give back, make sure you’re renting from a local and not an expat.

Another affordable option is to stay at one of the hostels or budget hotels in Puerto Viejo. Playa 506 is located right on the beach and offers dorm-style accommodations or private rooms with shared bathrooms. Surfboards and bikes are available for rent, and the onsite restaurant offers a variety of dishes and a big selection of craft beers.

Costa Rica, in general, has beautiful and natural hotels all over the country, and Puerto Viejo is no exception. They’re cute. Some hotels have chickens running around eating bugs to keep the ecosystem balanced properly. 

One thing to keep in mind is you can find everything in Costa Rica. You’ll find mom-and-pop hotels, each with a unique style that you’ll only find in paradise. Or, you can find that luxury-style hotel with chic décor.

puerto viejo wildlife costa rica
Capuchin monkey in Puerto Viejo.

UmAmi Hotel

On one end, you have the UmAmi Hotel. It’s a gorgeous hotel with a great pool, and tourist information, but most importantly, it has air conditioning. This beautiful hotel combines minimalism with wood finishes to bring you a uniquely Caribbean feel. It’s also for adults only, which means if you have kids, this place may not be for you.

All guest rooms have private bathrooms and terraces overlooking the pool and hotel gardens. Suites are available and feature living areas with kitchenettes.

The onsite spa features a certified massage therapist and offers relaxing, therapeutic, and innovative massage treatments. UmAmi also organizes fun excursions for guests. You can join a tour to the nearby Cahuita National Park, a zip line circuit through the jungle, and wildlife viewing excursions where you can see nesting sea turtles.

Guide to Visiting Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Pool at UmAni Hotel. Photo courtesy of UmAni Hotel

Relax Natural Village

If you’re looking for something outdoorsy, something like Relax Natural Village is perfect for you. This is the type of hotel you will grow to love. It’s in the jungle, which means you might see wildlife hanging outside your window. It has hammocks, and the hotel uses the natural Costa Rican vegetation as part of the décor. 

This boutique hotel offers six beautiful, cabin-style suites, each with updated air conditioning, a spacious bathroom, and a terrace with garden views. While this property doesn’t have an onsite pool or restaurant, the beach is just a seven-minute walk away, and restaurants are even closer. 

Hotel Caribe Town 

For those who are looking for something closer to the beautiful beaches, Hotel Caribe Town is conveniently located just 150 meters from Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Surrounded by a lush rainforest garden, this gated property offers private rooms designed for comfort and an outdoor pool with a swim-up bar.

This boutique hotel offers five private bungalows and one suite in the main building of the hotel. All accommodations feature private restrooms and terraces with hammocks and Adirondack chairs where you can relax and enjoy the peace of the jungle garden. Rates include a hot, homemade breakfast, and you can get lunch or dinner from several Puerto Viejo area restaurants that are just a short walk away.

The hotel spa offers aromatherapy massage, Thai Chi, and skin treatments that use ingredients grown in the hotel garden or nearby at the Tsiru Ue Indigenous Farm. All services are performed by a fully certified masseuse and medical doctor.

Places to Eat in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

If you’re looking for chain restaurants in Puerto Viejo, you might have a hard time finding them. However, that’s not a bad thing. There is so much more to the world than chain restaurants. 

One of the most sustainable restaurants in Puerto Viejo is Koki Beach. Koki Beach was given awards for improving the quality of life of the residents in Puerto Viejo but also helping with the environment. Koki Beach purchases art from locals and displays them inside the restaurant. Koki Beach is very popular with younger expats. It’s the only restaurant that doesn’t play Reggae, and specialties include Caribbean food prepared with fresh, local ingredients-some from their own garden!

Guide to Visiting Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Photo courtesy of Koki Beach

Puerto&Co is an all-vegan restaurant with digital workspaces. It has a communal vibe and an Internet Café. You will find this restaurant right in the center of downtown Puerto Viejo. This cafe is famous for its fresh sandwiches, smoothies, and crepes, and coffee drinks are made only with organic, Costa Rican-grown coffee beans. The menu changes with the availability of fresh, local produce, so you can try new dishes during your visit to Puerto Viejo.

Guide to Visiting Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Sunset at Puerto&Co. Photo courtesy of Puerto&Co

If you’re looking for Puerto Viejo restaurants with vegetarian or vegan options, there are plenty to choose from that are right by the beach. There is Puerto Pirata Beach Café, and Tiki Bar, which is a vegan restaurant offering Ayurvedic-inspired dishes created with organic Caribbean ingredients. This is the perfect spot for a local beer or specialty cocktail while enjoying the gorgeous sunset at the end of the day.

Madre Tierra, which translates as Mother Earth, specializes in Italian dishes prepared with fresh local produce and Caribbean seafood. Madre Tierra offers vegetarian options, but it’s not vegetarian-only. The open-air bar offers plenty of beachy cocktails, fresh juices, and smoothies to enjoy while you look out at the Caribbean Sea.

puerto viejo beach sunset

How Much Time Do You Need to Explore Puerto Viejo?

Puerto Viejo is a beautiful town. In Costa Rican terms, it’s also somewhat different. But if you give it 4 to 5 days, you can see everything in this cute, quaint town. You’ll swim on all the beaches and eat at your favorite restaurants a few times. You might even get to know a few locals.

Maybe it’s not a good thing that Puerto Viejo is so small. However, there’s something to be said about swinging in a hammock. There’s also something magical about eating a mango right from the tree. 

You’ll make friends and discover a pace of life that’s different from your norm. You might cry when your stay is over. If that’s the case for you, perhaps a week may not be enough. Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica is so unique you may never want to leave.

Guide to Visiting Puerto Viejo Costa Rica
Ranco Lake in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Have you ever been to Puerto Viejo in Limon Province of Costa Rica? What are some of your favorite things to do there? 

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