Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui

With a selection of supermarkets, pharmacies, shops, banks, a post office and restaurants, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui has many of the amenities of a larger city.

English is not widely spoken in the village, with the exception of hotel personnel and tour operators. A couple of pharmacies have bilingual staff that can dispense medications without a doctor’s prescription.

Cell Phones

Cell phone reception is hit or miss around town. Some of the more remote lodges do not get reliable signals. Travelers can rent a cell phone in Costa Rica for use on their trip. Several car rental companies rent cell phones for around $10 per day.

Public Phones

Pay phones are scattered along the main road next to the taxi stand. Pre-paid phone cards can be purchased in local pharmacies or supermarkets for both local and international calls.

Internet

There are several Internet cafes with high-speed connections that charge less than $1 per hour. Some mid-range hotels have free Internet in their lobbies, and wireless is offered in a couple of the more upscale hotels, attractions and restaurants in town.

Banks

Banco de Costa Rica, Banco Popular and Banco Nacional all have branches in Puerto Viejo. Each has a 24-hour ATM machine that dispenses both dollars and Costa Rican colones.

Gas Stations

A full-service gas station is located on the outskirts of Puerto Viejo. Several others can be found near Horquetes and on the road toward La Virgen, San Miguel, Vara Blanca and Alajuela.

Post Office

Located on Puerto Viejo’s main street. Open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; closed 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Red Cross

The clinic provides 24-hour care and ambulance service for minor injuries only. Tel: 2766-6212. For all major emergencies in Costa Rica, dial 911. The nearest major hospitals are in Alajuela and San Jose, which are an hour or more by car.

Bus:

From San Jose, buses depart from the Terminal del Caribe, Ave.13, Calle Central. There are many daily departures, and tickets cost roughly $2.50. As schedules change frequently, travelers should call ahead to confirm departure times. Tel: 2222-0610 / 2257-6859.

Make sure to get a ticket to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui and not to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, which is on the Caribbean coast.

Buses to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui arrive from San Jose using two different routes. One passes through Heredia Province, taking a longer but more scenic route.  The other travels via the Guapiles Highway and Braulio Carrillo National Park. The latter is a more direct route and takes less than two hours for the 50-mile journey.

Car:

Depending on road conditions and chosen route, travel time between San Jose/Alajuela /Heredia and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is roughly 1.5 to 2.5 hours by car.

From San Jose (Direct Route)

Take the Guapiles Highway toward Limon. After passing Braulio Carillo National Park, drive for about one hour and turn left at the exit for Rio Frio (look for the sign to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, not Puerto Viejo de Limon).  Continue on this road for 18.6 miles until you get to the intersection of Puerto Viejo/La Virgen. Turn left toward La Virgen and drive roughly 15 miles farther, following signs to Puerto Viejo. This is the fastest route and takes about 1.5 hours by car.

From San Jose via Heredia

A more scenic drive from San Jose via Heredia: Follow signs in Heredia to Barva, continuing uphill to Vara Blanca. Turn right following signs to Vara Blanca at the gas station. Continue on this winding mountain road, passing La Paz Waterfall Gardens on your left. Pass the community of Cariblanco and continue to San Miguel where there is a fork in the road. The westbound (left) fork leads toward La Fortuna and Arenal Volcano and the north fork heads to Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui to the northeast. Follow signs to Puerto Viejo.

From Alajuela

Another slightly longer but scenic route departs from Alajuela and heads north through Vara Blanca, La Paz Waterfalls, and the towns of San Miguel and La Virgen. The 68 mile journey takes approximately 2.5 hours or less. Drive through downtown Alajuela and turn at the courthouse, following Poas Volcano signs. Follow this mountain road and turn right at the crossroads, toward Vara Blanca. You will see a Churasco Restaurant and signs for Vara Blanca and La Paz Waterfall Gardens here.

Continue through Vara Blanca until you reach signs for Puerto Viejo (34 miles or 55 km) and San Miguel. Turn left at the gas station, following signs for Puerto Viejo. You will pass La Paz Waterfall Gardens on your left and continue through San Miguel and La Virgen to Puerto Viejo.

Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui offers a variety of accommodations, including a large selection of mid-range hotels. Along the main road in town, the budget-conscious will find inexpensive cabinas and local restaurants (known as sodas) that serve up traditional meals for $3 to $6 a plate.  

Several family-run hotels and cozy B&B’s located on the outskirts of town will gladly arrange tours to local attractions. Some of the nicer lodges are located in Chilamate and on the road to La Virgen. Featuring rainforest bungalows and their own botanical and butterfly gardens, many of these lodges cater to package tourists or birding groups and include buffet-style meals in their rates.

Reservations are typically unnecessary during the rainy months (May through November), but are recommended for travel during the dry season (December through April). Visitors are advised to book hotels at least six weeks in advance during Easter week and Christmas.

Aerial Tram 

If taking the Guapiles Highway from San Jose, travelers pass Braulio Carrillo National Park en route to Puerto Viejo. Here, visitors can take in a panoramic vista while slowly climbing above the treetops aboard an open-air gondola with Rainforest Aerial Tram Atlantic. Glide above the canopy layer in one of twenty cable cars, enjoying spectacular views and an opportunity to spot wildlife that would otherwise remain hidden. Three-hour tours include a quick film, aerial tram ride, and a guided hike through the park’s trails. Tours depart several times daily and cost $55 for adults and $27.50 for students and children age 12 and under. Telephone: 2257-5961.

Bat Program

Get to know these highly evolved creatures, which account for almost 50% of Costa Rica’s total mammal population. Tirimbina Biological Reserve offers an evening bat program that includes a 30-minute slideshow and an opportunity to see and touch live bats, caught with the aid of humane nets. Costa Rica has more than 110 species of bats, and 70 of those species can be found at the biological reserve. Reservations are required. $20 adults, $16 students, and $14 children. Telephone: 2761-0055.

Bird & Wildlife Watching

A visit to one of the many parks, wildlife refuges or rainforest reserves is a great way to discover the area’s amazing biodiversity. Crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys, poison dart frogs, bats, and a slew of tropical birds are commonly seen. While a naturalist guide is always helpful, travelers will enjoy the variety of self-guided trails available at Tirimbina Biological Reseve and Hacienda Pozo Azul. Visitors can experience the rainforest at their own pace on a variety of trails and suspension bridges that meander through the reserves.

Black Pepper Tour

One of Puerto Viejo’s newest gastronomic attractions, the Black Pepper Tour is located in Rancho Chilamate, less than six miles outside of town. The tour includes a walk through the family farm, a sampling of black pepper infused ice cream, and lunch prepared with heaps of the savory spice. This homespun tour is a wonderful Mom and Pop operation, and well worth a visit. Reservations are required for a bilingual guide. Telephone: 2761-0024.

Botanical Garden Tour

A tour de force in tropical gardening, Heliconia Island is situated 15 minutes south of Puerto Viejo.  The five-acre island is verdant with more than 70 species of heliconia, as well as ginger, bromeliads and ornamental plants. Additionally, the island is excellent for butterfly and birdwatching – more than 200 bird species have been observed, including orange-chinned parakeets, keel-billed toucans, snowy egrets, rufous-tailed hummingbirds, and scarlet-rumped tanagers. Visitors can arrange a garden tour or stay overnight in the bed and breakfast. Telephone: 2764-5220.

Canoeing & Tubing

More interested in wildlife than whitewater? Try paddling the Sarapiqui’s lower section, where mild Class I and II rapids allow time to enjoy the area’s beautiful surroundings and wildlife. Tour operators also run canoe trips down the tranquil Puerto Viejo River and tubing adventures down the Sardinal River.

Canopy Tour

There are at least three canopy tours in Puerto Viejo, and each offers awesome heights and a naturalist guide as part of the experience. Canopy La Linda boasts 14 zip-line cables and two crossings over the Sarapiqui River. This tour has the one of the longest cables (nearly 2300 feet in length) and fastest rides in town. Hacienda Pozo Azul has a similar tour with twelve cables ranging from 65 to 100 feet high, and a 984-foot ride across the river on their exciting and ultra-safe double zip-lines. The Aventuras del Sarapiqui canopy tour traverses tropical rainforest, and includes a wild ride on 15 cables – including the final, 2,000-foot run over the Sarapiqui River. Recommended for children age six and older.

Chocolate Tour

The Chocolate Tour is one of Tirimbina Rainforest Center’s most popular attractions. Discover the natural history of this ancient food and the entire chocolate-making process, from harvest to production. The three-hour experience includes a tour of a former cacao plantation and a taste of hot cocoa and organic chocolate. $22 adults, $17 students, and $15 children. Telephone: 2761-0055.

Coffee Tour

The Mi Cafecito coffee tour introduces visitors to Coopesarapiqui, the region's Fair Trade coffee cooperative. Learn about coffee production in the mountain areas of Sarapiqui and San Carlos, and follow the coffee bean on its journey from germination to roasted product. The tour ends with a cup of coffee, espresso or cappuccino, and the cooperative's souvenir shop sells a variety of whole bean and ground coffee roasts. Telephone: 2476-0031 or 2476-0283.

Cultural Immersion Classes

The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center promotes community development and sustainable tourism in the region. Visitors can sign up for cooking, Spanish, art and Latin dance classes offered by local residents. Telephone: 2766-6482.

Hiking

The easy to moderate trails of Selva Verde Reserve and Tirimbina Rainforest Reserve offer excellent hiking and wildlife watching opportunities. Travelers can hike solo or hire a naturalist guide for a more in-depth rainforest experience.

Horseback Riding

Explore scenic rivers and backcountry roads on horseback. Several tour operators, including Hacienda Pozo Azul, offer two or four-hour rides with chances to gallop along the way.  Guides always match riders to horses according to ability, making the experience enjoyable for both the novice and experienced. Multi-day treks are also available.

Mountain Biking

Zoom along miles of dirt roads while exploring cattle farms and tropical forest. Mountain bike trips range from two hour to two-day adventures, with several exciting routes to choose from. Tours include an experienced guide, support vehicle, drinks and snacks. Bikers must be at least 12 years old.

Pineapple Plantation Tour

Learn about the entire pineapple harvesting process, from start to finish, at Collin Street Bakery’s Pineapple Tour. Find out how pineapples came to be the fruit of kings and how cultivating techniques evolved over time. The excursion includes a tractor tour of Finca Corsicana, the world's largest organic pineapple farm, and visitors have a chance to try the farm’s sweet, organic pineapple, and a refreshing pina colada at the tour’s end. Finca Corsicana is located in Llano Grande, 9 miles outside of Puerto Viejo. Telephone: 8820-6489.

Safari Boat Ride

See monkeys, herons, egrets, ibis, kingfishers, crocodiles and more while gliding down the Sarapiqui River on a safari float. Make sure to have your binoculars handy on this fun and relaxing trip. Motorized boats depart from the dock in Puerto Viejo. Tours last one to two hours and can be booked with many tour operators in town.

Waterfall Rappelling

Experience the thrill of rappelling at Hacienda Pozo Azul while descending a 90-foot rock wall into the Sarapiqui river canyon. Tours operate daily with experienced guides. $38. Telephone: 2438-2612.

Whitewater River Rafting

The spectacularly scenic Sarapiqui River attracts thousands of river-runners each year. Rafters can tackle Class III-V rapids on a variety of tours ranging from half to multi-day adventures. During the rainy season, from June through November, rivers are particularly wild as the water levels are high. Several tour operators in town offer two and four-hour whitewater trips that include transportation and guides.

Rivers:

Sarapiqui River

For more than half a century, the riverside community of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui was one of the largest ports in Costa Rica. Major crops like coffee and bananas were transported from the Central Valley and Caribbean slopes to the coast via the Sarapiqui River. The scenic river originates on the Deception Depression between Barva and Poas Volcanoes and flows 53 miles into the San Juan River, which continues into Nicaragua. Today, whitewater rafters and kayakers ply the river in search of thrilling Class III-V rapids. The Sarapiqui and its sister rivers, the Sardinal and Puerto Viejo, also have Class I-II sections ideal for tranquil safari floats, allowing passengers glimpses of crocodiles, monkeys and sloths along the river banks.

San Juan River

Explore the sights and sounds of the San Juan River, which snakes along the Costa Rican border with Nicaragua. Guests will discover amazing wildlife on a boat tour through this picturesque region. Day trips can be booked with one of several tour operators in town.

Biological Stations, Gardens and Wildlife Refuges:

Aguas Silvestres Butterfly Farm

Nestled among 74 acres of pristine rainforest, Aguas Silvestres has more than ten dazzling species in their butterfly breeding farm. Visitors can hike along the farm’s self-guided trails which lead to waterfalls and natural pools. With advance reservations, guests can stay overnight in the farm’s rustic cabin or camping area. The farm is located in La Virgen de Sarapiqui, roughly 15 minutes from Puerto Viejo. Telephone: 2761-1095

Hacienda Pozo Azul

A 20-minute drive from Puerto Viejo, this 2,000-acre working ranch also doubles as the region’s ultimate adventure center. From mountain biking and whitewater rafting to canopy tours and horseback rides, Pozo Azul caters to thrill-seekers of all ages and interests. Tourists seeking an adrenaline rush can rappel down the Sarapiqui River canyon or zoom 1,000 feet across the river on a zip-line canopy tour. Hacienda Pozo Azul also offers combo-tours and lodging at their unique tent camp. The grounds at Pozo Azul feature a butterfly gallery, hiking trails complete with Indiana Jones-style suspension bridges, and a frog garden where guests can get up close and personal with the vibrantly-colored strawberry poison dart frog. La Virgen de Sarapiqui. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mon-Sun. Telephone: 2438-2616.

La Selva Biological Station

Run by the nonprofit Organization for Tropical Field Studies, La Selva is an internationally-renowned working biological station that allows scientists, students and researchers to study tropical natural resources. La Selva encompasses 3,900 acres of tropical rainforest, and is bordered by parts of Braulio Carrillo National Park. The rugged landscape is home to a staggering array of biodiversity, including over 120 mammal species and around 2,000 species of plants. Visitors can arrange a day trip or overnight stay with advance reservation. Telephone: 2766-6565.

Madronos Rain Forest

Working to conserve the environment and provide eco-educational tours, Madronos Rain Forest dazzles with its beautiful grounds and wildlife. The reserve is home to rivers and rainforest that house armadillos, tree frogs, anteaters, butterflies, and coatis, among other animals. Guided tours through the forest's rustic trails offer an excellent introduction to the region's flora and fauna. Overnight accommodations are also available at Madronos Rain Forest. $15 adults, $13 students, and $11 children; open 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday-Friday. Telephone: 8324-3223 or 8851-8757.

Rara Avis Private Reserve

This remote lodge and reserve comprises 3,300 acres of high-altitude rainforest and is accessible only by horse or tractor-pulled cart. The reserve’s tractor leaves the village of Las Horquetas (a 25-minute drive from Puerto Viejo) at 9 a.m. daily, and returns at 2 p.m.; the journey takes approximately three hours. Activities include swimming under waterfalls and guided nature walks through rugged jungle, where visitors have spotted jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, and at least 367 bird species. Rara Avis hosts a variety of research and educational pursuits, ranging from local elementary students learning about the relationship between conservation and development, to field researchers surveying plant and animal life. Telephone: 2764-1111.

Snake Garden (Serpentario)

Housing 50 species of snakes, lizards and frogs, the Snake Garden exhibits a modest collection of local and exotic species. Located on the outskirts of Puerto Viejo, the serpentario features the highly venomous coral snake as well as a massive 170-pound Burmese python. Entrance fee is $8 for adults, $6 children under 12. Open 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Sunday. Telephone: 2761-1059.

Sarapiqui Eco-Observatory

Established in 1986, the Sarapiqui Eco-Observatory is dedicated to reforestation and habitat restoration. The 10-acre forest reserve is home to more than 215 bird species, earning it the honor of one of the region's most species-rich attractions. There are three roofed birdwatching decks, which have bird feeders to attract hummingbirds, toucans, tanagers, parrots, woodpeckers, and other feathered visitors. The observatory also offers birdwatching tours, tree planting, and night hikes. Telephone: 2761-0801.

Tirimbina Rainforest Center and Wildlife Refuge

Tirimbina, which protects more than 890 acres of rainforest, offers a variety of nature tours (including a bat program), as well as research opportunities, internships and workshops. The nonprofit center was declared a national wildlife refuge and promotes sustainable eco-tourism with its educational tours and programs. The center also boasts one of the largest suspension bridges in Costa Rica, spanning 860 feet from the Sarapiqui River into the reserve entrance. Visitors can stay at Tirimbina’s onsite lodge or get a little closer to nature in one of their rustic field station buildings. Telephone: 2761-0055

Learning Centers:

Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center

The Sarapiqui Conservation Learning Center, located next to Selva Verde Lodge, strives to promote community development and sustainable tourism in the region. With the help of volunteers, the nonprofit center teaches English and environmental education to community groups of all ages. The center also supports reforestation programs that work with small landowners and schools. Visitors can also sign up for cooking, art and Latin dance classes. Telephone: 2766-6482

Museums and Archeological Parks:

Centro Neotropico Sarapiquis

A combination of eco-lodge, museum, archeological park, education center and botanical gardens, the center’s mission is to integrate education, conservation and scientific research. The museum narrates the history of the rainforest and humanity’s interaction with it through a combination of videos and exhibits, focusing on the plight of Costa Rica’s indigenous tribes. Beautiful pottery, musical instruments and other indigenous artifacts are on display. Next door, the Alma Ata Archeological Park has petroglyph reproductions, ancient stone sculptures and a Pre-Columbian burial field providing insight into 15th century life in Costa Rica.  (La Virgen de Sarapiqui. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sun. $5 archaeological park, $8 museum for self-guided tours. 2761-1004.)

Nearby Attractions:

Heliconia Island

A tour de force in tropical gardening, Heliconia Island is situated 15 minutes south of Puerto Viejo.  The five-acre island is verdant with more than 70 species of heliconia, as well as gingers, bromeliads and ornamental plants. The island was created by a split in the Puerto Viejo River and is only accessible via a wooden footbridge. Visitors can arrange a garden tour or stay overnight in the bed and breakfast. (Between Las Horquetas and Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. 2764-5220.)