Costa Rica

General Information:

Location: 62 km. (34 miles) southeast of Limón and 230 km. from San José

Weather: Hot and humid with sporadic rain showers

Temperatures: 72- 94 °F with 87-90% humidity

Altitude: Sea level

Read more about the South Caribbean Tourism Region

About:

Clear waters, coconut palms, great surf and the laid back atmosphere of the south Caribbean make Puerto Viejo a favorite among travelers. Located on the Atlantic coast, about an hour south of Limón, Puerto Viejo is the center of activity among the smaller south Caribbean towns of Cahuita and Manzanillo.  It lies between jungles, green seas, banana plantations and small rivers.  The area is lush, warm and humid with no distinct dry season.

Formerly a small fishing village, Puerto Viejo has grown rapidly in recent years. Avid surfers, drawn to the famous Salsa Brava waves, have made Puerto Viejo a hotspot on the surfing circuit.  The center of town now boasts many souvenir shops, bars, restaurants, hotels/cabinas and tour companies. Traffic on the road through town is dominated by bikes, pedestrians and scooters, with very few cars.

Influenced by Afro Caribbean cultures, Europeans, indigenous Costa Ricans and many other nationalities (more than 40), Puerto Viejo has a unique feel. Friendly locals wave as you drive by and tourists from around the world all mingle to create a friendly and fun atmosphere.

Tropical forest surrounds the area and palm trees line the beach.  Several beaches in this area are recipients of the ecological blue flag and are often deserted. Swimming should be done with caution as coral reefs and under currents can be dangerous. 

Both black and white sand beaches are found in this area.  Snorkeling is excellent when the water is calm.  Coral reefs can be found in Cahuita and Manzanillo and the snorkeling is some of the best to be found in Costa Rica.   Many of these areas are best reached by boat so consult one of the local tour offices for options.

South of Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles, Playa Chuiquita and Punta Uva all have their own small towns with several restaurants, hotels/cabinas and mini grocery stores.  The dirt road heading south from Puerto Viejo is often in poor shape and full of pot holes.  The road side is marked with scattered cabinas, restaurants and shops almost all the way to Manzanillo. There is no shortage of hotels or cabinas in this area and there are a remarkable number of budget priced places ($5/night and up) in Puerto Viejo and the surrounding area.

Getting Around Puerto Viejo:

Bikes and scooters are rented by hotels and shops in Puerto Viejo; typical cost is $5 per day for a bicycle and $25 for a scooter.  There is a bus that runs infrequently from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo and points in between.

Read our Puerto Viejo Travel Blogs (May 2006, June 2006, July 2006)