Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a relaxed beach town with a distinctly Caribbean vibe, located in southeast Costa Rica along the turquoise Caribbean Sea. Afro-Caribbean and indigenous people coexist in Puerto Viejo, creating a distinctive culture that is exclusive to this region of Costa Rica. Coconut rice, Reggaeton music, vibrant homes, and a laid-back attitude are all prevalent here. And it is no surprise that Puerto Viejo is now a well-liked destination given that it has some of the most gorgeous beaches in the nation, lush jungle, and a variety of restaurants and nightlife.

Smaller dirt paths leading to remote beaches can be found along the road that goes to Manzanillo. Each of these beaches has a distinctive atmosphere. Beautiful Playa Negra in Puerto Viejo has black sand and is frequently calm enough for swimming. Despite not being the best for swimming due to rip currents, the surfing beach Playa Cocles in the south is a great place to unwind on the sand and people-watch. Favorite beach by far is Playa Punta Uva. This cove is the ideal place to while away a day thanks to its clear ivory sand, clear aquamarine water, and tall palms.

What to Know About Puerto Viejo

• It is a big party town so you will find tons of hostels in downtown. Downtown does get very noisy so pick a hotel outside town if you don’t want to be around that.
• Puerto Viejo can get a little dicey in some parts and late at night. They do not recommend walking after dark, always take a taxi. Furthermore, don’t go to the beach or walk around by yourself at night or in the early mornings before sunrise.
• Bicycle is the main mode of transportation. You can rent a sedan to get to Puerto Viejo and get around but lots of people rent bikes. The main road running from Cahuita to Manzanillo, passing through Puerto Viejo is completely paved.
• For long term stays, check the Puerto Viejo Rentals Facebook group.
  Check out Cahuita, the small town a bit north of Puerto Viejo for a more local experience.

By bus

• There is a direct bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo with the Terminal Atlantico Norte everyday at 6 AM, 10 AM, 12 PM, 2 PM and 4 PM. From Limon, there is a bus everyday from 5 AM to 6 PM with Transportes Mepe.

Shuttle

• You can take a shared shuttle with Interbus for $57 USD from San Jose. A private shuttle from San Jose is $300 USD one way for 1-8 people.

Google rating: 4.0/5.0

Location: southeast Costa Rica