Places to See in Puerto Viejo

Hot Spots:

Bribri Indigenous Reserve and Volio Waterfall
This waterfall and hike are often part of the Bribri Reservation tour offered by several of Puerto Viejo’s tour companies. The hike is fairly easy, though recommended only for sunny days, and includes several stream crossings (be prepared for wet feet).  The trip leads to a beautiful waterfall and swimming hole. The falls plummet from 50 feet above, cascading over rocks along the way. The hike takes less than 30 minutes each way with several steep ascents and descents. The Bribri Indigenous Reserve is several miles northwest of Puerto Viejo, approximately a 30-minute drive.

Visit the Bribri Indigenous Reserve on our travel blog.

Beaches: 

A series of picturesque white and black sand beaches line the coast from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo; all easily accessed via bicycle. Many beaches are recipients of the ecological blue flag award, including Puerto Viejo’s Playa Negra, Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva, Ned Creek and Gandoca.


Playa Negra
This black sand beach is located just a few steps north of Puerto Viejo’s downtown; access it by following the beach just past the old barge near town. A reef lies offshore, and Playa Negra is known as the safest swimming beach in Puerto Viejo. Playa Negra is also very popular as a walking beach, with soft sand and plenty of space for strolling. Salsa Brava is Puerto Viejo’s famous surf break located off the beach behind Stanford's on Playa Negra. It is renowned in the surfing community and considered by many to be the best break in Costa Rica.


Playa Cocles
Just two miles south of Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles is a beautiful yellow-sand beach known for steady, large surfing waves. Currents are often strong, so swimmers are advised to look out for green flags, which are used by lifeguards to mark areas safe for swimming. Playa Cocles is lined with mid-range and upscale hotels and restaurants.

 
Playa Chiquita
Playa Chiquita is a peaceful beach about halfway between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, great for sunbathing and swimming. The beach is protected by coral reefs, and has natural pools ideal for swimming that form at high tide.


Punta Uva
Many say that this is the most beautiful beach in the area, ideal for walking, sunbathing and swimming.  The turnoff for Punta Uva is two miles before Manzanillo and is well marked with a black and white sign.

 
Manzanillo
Despite the recently paved, four-mile road that connects Manzanillo to Puerto Viejo, the town’s beautiful beaches have remained tranquil, pristine and relatively untouched by tourism. Sea almond trees bow over the sand, providing shade for reading or relaxation, and the beach’s fine sand is perfect for building sandcastles and sunbathing.

Snorkelers and divers can swim to coral reefs close to the shore. For an afternoon snack, grab a seafood dish at one of the local restaurants, where chefs cook up the day’s fresh catches. Learn more about Manzanillo

National Parks & Private Refuges:

Cahuita National Park
Located nine miles north of Puerto Viejo, Cahuita National Park is a beautiful coastal park known for its living coral reefs, abundant marine life and white-faced monkeys that guard the noni trees at Cahuita Point.

Coral reefs, mangrove forests and white sand beaches provide habitats for the variety of wildlife that exist in Cahuita National Park. Please note that, though the seaside walking trails are mostly sandy, it is recommended to hike in closed-toed shoes.

Discover Cahuita National Park on our travel blog

 
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
The Gandoca - Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge protects almost 70% of the southern Caribbean coast and includes some of the area’s most beautiful beaches. The refuge officially begins at the Cocles River (one mile south of Puerto Viejo) and extends 19 miles south to the Sixaola River at the Panamanian border. The refuge protects beautiful beaches, coral reefs, lowland tropical forests and several of the country’s most endangered habitats including the only jolillo palm swamp in Costa Rica.

Learn about  Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

 
La Ceiba Reserve
The goal of this 104-acre private reserve is to conserve land and protect local flora and fauna. It is a superb location for observing the annual migrations of several birds-of-prey. The name comes from an enormous Ceiba tree within the reserve’s boundaries.  An ideal hiking destination for nature lovers, the tree is 55 feet around at its widest point, and it is a 165 foot walk just to circumnavigate the base of the tree. La Ceiba Reserve is located between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, inside the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge.


Aviarios del Caribe (The Sloth Rescue Center)
The Sloth Rescue Center is a privately-owned wildlife sanctuary in the Estrella River delta near Cahuita. Several sloths, most rescued as babies, live in their educational facility, where visitors can closely observe and learn about them. The main objective of Aviarios del Caribe Wildlife Refuge, in addition to caring for a growing number of resident sloths (currently more than 75), is to educate the public about sloth habitats, life cycles and conservation.  The Sloth Rescue Center is located approximately 12 miles north of Puerto Viejo, a 30-40 minute drive.

Explore the Sloth Rescue Center on our travel blog

Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve & Iguana Farm
The Kekoldi were once a part of the Bribri, but split from the larger group many years ago. Today, their village, located just 15 minutes from downtown Puerto Viejo, is home to the area’s famous iguana farm. Here, tourists learn about Kekoldi history, folklore and lands before visiting the research and reproduction facilities for the protected green iguana.

Bocuare Jungle
Located in the Estrella Valley, Bocuare Jungle offers an exciting combination of cultural and adventure tourism. The company offers indigenous tours to the local Cabecar Indigenous Reserve, white-water tubing down the Estrella River and tours to the Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve.

They also offer cozy cabins and other on-site facilities, which include a typical restaurant, swimming pool, miles of hiking trails, ponds, botanical gardens and other natural attractions. Bocuare Jungle is located approximately 75 minutes northwest of Puerto Viejo.

White water raft at Bocuare Jungle on our travel blog


Veragua Rain Forest Reserve
Opened in 2008, this brand new facility is home to a reptile house, interactive ranarium, hummingbird garden, insectarium (coming in 2009), butterfly garden, treetop aerial tram, rushing waterfall and numerous hikes.

Enthusiastic guides make the educational tours fun, and guests will likely see many species of birds, insects and other fauna while out walking. The Original Canopy Tour is also located onsite. Veragua Rainforest is approximately 90 minutes northwest of downtown Puerto Viejo.

Visit Veragua Rain Forest Reserve on our travel blog 

Museums, Gardens & Chocolate Plantations:

Cacao Trails 
A combination of chocolate museum, botanical gardens, wildlife sanctuary, indigenous museum, canoe canals and organic medicinal herb farm, this unique park offers a little something for everyone, including guided tours, a beautiful pool and on-site restaurant boasting tasty Caribbean dishes. 2-6 hour tours are available by reservation. (Between Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. $20-$47; 2756-8186)

Explore Cacao Trails on our travel blog

 
Cahuita Butterfly Garden
Home to over 15 species of butterflies, this center provides an excellent opportunity to observe exotic butterfly species while learning about their life cycles and habitats. (two blocks before the main Cahuita entrance. 8:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m.; $10 adult; 2755-0361)


Punta Uva Butterfly Garden
This enclosed butterfly garden, where many species of butterfly are free to flutter, focuses on commercial butterfly exportation. Eggs are collected daily from the foliage in the garden and allowed to reach maturity in a protected environment away from predators.  The owner of the butterfly garden also raises eyelash pit vipers. She has successfully raised and released ten pit vipers into the wild. (Punta Uva. 8 a.m.-4 p.m.; $8 adult; 2750-0086)


ChocoRart Cacao Plantation
To experience chocolate in its purest form, visit the ChocoRart organic cacao farm and chocolate factory in Playa Chiquita, just south of Puerto Viejo. Owned and operated by a Swiss couple who harvest, ferment and cook cacao in the same traditional manner that the Mayan Indians used for thousands of years. Sugar is added to the chocolate as are natural ingredients such as ginger, coconut, vanilla and nuts. Tours are offered by reservation only and chocolate tasting is included. (Playa Chiquita. Reservation required; $15 adult; 2750-0075)

Finca La Isla Botanical Garden 
Open since 1987, this permaculture farm raises organic black pepper, cinnamon, vanilla, ginger, bananas, and many other fruits, spices, bromeliads and edible plants for export. Guided tours are highly recommended, and take visitors through a tasty, interesting tour of their grounds. Highlights include tapping a rubber tree, discovering where mace comes from and sampling the farm’s sweet, organic bananas. (Playa Negra, Puerto Viejo. 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; $10 adult; 2750-0046)

Enjoy Finca La Isla Botanical Garden on our travel blog

Shops and Markets:

The center of Puerto Viejo boasts many markets and souvenir shops where visitors can buy indigenous Indian crafts, sarongs, handmade jewelry and clothing.  Street vendors line up along the beachside between central Puerto Viejo and Stanford's Restaurant to sell jewelry, T-shirts and souvenirs.

Tribal Market
Located in Playa Chiquita on the beach side of the road, this unique store sells everything from Central American folk art to handmade Indian jewelry, all at reasonable prices.

 
Sureka Artisan Market
Slated to open in late March, 2009, this new market brings together the area’s indigenous artisans. Jewelry, indigenous masks, woodcrafts and other goods are all for sale, and proceeds directly benefit the Bribri community.

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