Costa Rica

Climate: Warm, humid and wet

Average Temperature: 81°F with 87-90% humidity

See Caribbean Zone Weather Region

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South Caribbean Region: Best Known For.....

Places to See in the South Caribbean Region

Things to Do in the South Caribbean Region

Ahhh, the South Caribbean: green sea, crystal clear waters, coral reefs, surfing and the laid-back nature! The south Caribbean region is known as a favorite area for many travelers. Located along the eastern coast, south from Limón city to the Panamanian border and west to Limón Provincial border, the South Caribbean Tourism Region is refreshingly peaceful and an ideal setting to enjoy. 

Thick forest-lined beaches offer shade from the heat of the day, while housing the areas profusion of wildlife.  In Cahuita National Park there are trails for hiking and coral reefs  for exploring. Under the surface, more than 600 acres of coral lurks, comprised of at least 35 individual species of coral and 128 species of algae. Scuba diving and snorkeling are the major activities here, but there are also exquisite beaches where endangered sea turtles come ashore to nest and where there are several miles of deserted beach just waiting to be explored.

The Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is also known for its coral reefs. It is also the only site of orey and jolillo palm swamps found in Costa Rica. The beaches are spectacular and deserted most of the time.  Marine turtles come ashore here, too, to insure their future survival and flora and fauna species abound with more than 360 bird species, some of which (like the harpy eagle) are endangered.

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The South Caribbean Tourism Region is best known for:

Surfing, its beautiful white and black sand beaches, coral reefs, diving and snorkeling, and culture (BriBri Indigenous Reservation)

Hot Spots:

Puerto Viejo, Cahuita National Park, Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge  

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Places to See: 

Beaches (Playas):  Cahuita's black beach, Cahuita's Playa Blanca (white beach), Cahuita Point, Puerto Viejo's black beach, Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Playa Uva, Playa Manzanillo.

See Also Caribbean Beaches

Museums & Gardens: Cacao Trails, Cahuita Butterfly Garden and others in Puerto Viejo, chocolate plantation tours, Bribri Reservation.

National Parks & Refuges:
Cahuita National Park

Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

La Amistad International Park : This is an enormous park crossing the border into Panama and is a joint effort between Costa Rica and Panama.  It is one of the richest ecological biospheres in Central America, comprising at least eight life zones.

Other Protected Areas:  Aviarios del Caribe Wildlife Refuge - Sloth Rescue Center, see our Travel Blog),  Cuenca Rio Banano Protected Zone, Limoncito Wildlife Refuge,  Barbilla National Park, Hitoy - Cerere Biological Reserve, La Ceiba Private Reserve.

Waterfalls:  BriBri Reservation Waterfalls and others

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Things to Do:

Air Activites: canopy tours.

Land Activities: hiking, turtle tours, bird & wildlife watching, chocolate plantation tours.

Water Activities: snorkeling and diving, sport fishing, boating, sea kayaking, surfing, swimming in wateralls, whitewater rafting.

See Also Caribbean Surf Breaks

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Read our South Caribbean Travel Blogs: 

Cahuita (June 2006)

Puerto Viejo (May 2006 , June 2006 , July 2006)