Puerto Viejo
- Costa Rica
Durations
1 Week
Difficulty
Easy
Min Age
0
Puerto Viejo
A fun, vibrant beach town on the Caribbean coast. Located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo is a beautiful beach town often overlooked due to its remote location. Those who visit discover stunning Caribbean beaches, lush rainforests, and one of the country’s most diverse communities where Latin, Afro-Caribbean, indigenous, and expat cultures blend together.
Highlights
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Famously beautiful beaches
Everyone knows there's nothing quite like a palm-fringed Caribbean beach. Puerto Viejo is full of them! -
Bars and restaurants
The food scene in Puerto Viejo is one of the best in Costa Rica. Also, if you want to party, it's a great place. -
The surf
People often think of the Pacific coast as Costa Rica's surf center, but those in the know understand that the best is over on the Caribbean side. Can you say Salsa Brava?
A Guide to the Rhythms of Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small coastal town on the Caribbean Sea, surrounded by the lush tropical rainforest, gorgeous white sand beaches, and a vast array of different wildlife. Puerto Viejo offers a diverse and multicultural vibe with a mixture of Afro-Caribbean, Bribri Indigenous, Latinos, Americans, and Europeans. Famous for its ‘Go Slow’ attitude, you won’t find a more laid-back town in Costa Rica.
Puerto Viejo is not for everyone. You won’t find any golf courses, marinas, or country clubs. Only a handful of hotels offer amenities like swimming pools or air conditioning that are standard in hotels in Guanacaste and other more-developed areas. Although several beautiful, high-end hotels in the area, Puerto Viejo is more suited for the down-to-earth traveler looking for a no-frills, authentic experience. If that’s what you are looking for, Puerto Viejo will exceed your expectations.
Puerto Viejo is not for everyone. You won’t find any golf courses, marinas, or country clubs. Only a handful of hotels offer amenities like swimming pools or air conditioning that are standard in hotels in Guanacaste and other more-developed areas. Although several beautiful, high-end hotels in the area, Puerto Viejo is more suited for the down-to-earth traveler looking for a no-frills, authentic experience. If that’s what you are looking for, Puerto Viejo will exceed your expectations.
Best Time to Travel to Puerto Viejo
The area’s climate is very unpredictable, but one thing is sure: it is often said that when the rest of Costa Rica is rainy, it’s time to head out to the dry Caribbean. Therefore, the best months to visit Puerto Viejo are February to April and August to October.
Regarding the August to October timeframe, it’s worth mentioning that elsewhere in Costa Rica – on the Pacific coast, for example – it’s rainy. So if you want a sunny beach to relax on in Costa Rica during August, September, and October, then the Caribbean coast and Puerto Viejo are perfect options.
Surfers coming to Puerto Viejo should know that the best waves are from January to April – that’s when the famous Salsa Brava is seriously popping.
Regarding the August to October timeframe, it’s worth mentioning that elsewhere in Costa Rica – on the Pacific coast, for example – it’s rainy. So if you want a sunny beach to relax on in Costa Rica during August, September, and October, then the Caribbean coast and Puerto Viejo are perfect options.
Surfers coming to Puerto Viejo should know that the best waves are from January to April – that’s when the famous Salsa Brava is seriously popping.
Activities
ATV Riding
Campfire
Hiking
Fishing
Exploring
Photography
Navigating
Rafting
Weather in Puerto Viejo
The first thing to know about Puerto Viejo and the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is that it’s wet. It can rain at any time of the year in this country and certainly does. You can see it reflected in the area’s lush vegetation.
But that’s not to say it rains more in Puerto Viejo than elsewhere. The rainfall is around the same, or even a little less than you’ll find on the Pacific side. The difference is the rain on the southern Caribbean coast is spread more evenly throughout the year. While the Pacific has more defined wet and dry seasons, the Caribbean does not.
The most consistent dry months in Puerto Viejo, the months with the slightest rain, tend to be September and October. But, conversely, July and December are the wettest months.
As far as temperatures go, like the rest of coastal Costa Rica, they’re consistent year-round. Expect temperatures around the early-to-mid 80s F (late 20s/early 30s C) and high humidity.
But that’s not to say it rains more in Puerto Viejo than elsewhere. The rainfall is around the same, or even a little less than you’ll find on the Pacific side. The difference is the rain on the southern Caribbean coast is spread more evenly throughout the year. While the Pacific has more defined wet and dry seasons, the Caribbean does not.
The most consistent dry months in Puerto Viejo, the months with the slightest rain, tend to be September and October. But, conversely, July and December are the wettest months.
As far as temperatures go, like the rest of coastal Costa Rica, they’re consistent year-round. Expect temperatures around the early-to-mid 80s F (late 20s/early 30s C) and high humidity.
Is Puerto Viejo Safe?
The Caribbean side of Costa Rica has a bad reputation for crime. We can’t sugarcoat that in any way. But here’s the thing. The reputation you hear about doesn’t often match the reality. Many of those saying how dangerous the Caribbean side is are talking about the city of Limon and not a beach town like Puerto Viejo. And, for the most part, the loudest voices have never made the journey over to this part of the country.
That said, it’s worth remembering that Puerto Viejo is a party town, and visitors should take care at night. The usual precautions apply, like not being alone, not getting too drunk, staying away from the seedier activities, and leaving valuables in your hotel. Don’t flash jewelry or cell phones, and be aware of your surroundings. Do all that, and you’ll be fine. You’ll have nothing but positive memories of Puerto Viejo.
That said, it’s worth remembering that Puerto Viejo is a party town, and visitors should take care at night. The usual precautions apply, like not being alone, not getting too drunk, staying away from the seedier activities, and leaving valuables in your hotel. Don’t flash jewelry or cell phones, and be aware of your surroundings. Do all that, and you’ll be fine. You’ll have nothing but positive memories of Puerto Viejo.
Top Restaurants in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is excellent for foodies, with a variety of flavors and cuisines that rival the best out there. Here are some of our favorites.
- Cafe Rico Puerto Viejo's top breakfast spot and perhaps one of the friendliest restaurants.
- Como en la Gloria On Playa Cocles, Como en la Gloria is an upscale restaurant with a Mediterranean twist. Reservations recommended.
- Soulsurfer Great sandwiches and wraps and maybe the best burgers in Costa Rica?
- Port Vell Another top breakfast place with amazing Gallo Pinto.
- Todo es Posible Everything is exceptional here, from the pasta to the pizza to the seafood!
Get In Touch
Whatsapp is the main form of communication for all of Costa Rica. We recommend getting this free app and communicating with us using the number below. However, if whatsapp is not your thing – feel free to email us or call our US line.
+506 6214 4422 – Whastapp
281-475-8124 – US
info@vacationpuravida.com
Esterillos Town Center, Local 7B, Esterillos Este, Costa Rica, 60901
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How To Get To Puerto Viejo
Juan Santamaria Airport (Airport Code SJO), outside the capital city of San José, is the closest international airport to Puerto Viejo.
Distance & Driving Time to Puerto Viejo
From SJO Airport: Puerto Viejo is about 144 miles (231 km) away and takes roughly 5 hours to reach.
Most travel packages include airport meet-and-greet services and private transfers, so you can relax while a driver takes you to your destination.
If you plan to drive, allow about 5 hours plus time to arrange your car rental. It’s recommended to avoid driving at night, especially since the route passes through Braulio Carrillo National Park.
From the airport, take the InterAmerican Highway toward San José, then follow signs for Ruta 32 toward Limón. This road takes you through Braulio Carrillo National Park, a scenic mountainous cloud forest with the Zurquí tunnel along the way.
Continue past Guápiles and Siquirres until you reach Limón. From there, follow signs toward Cahuita and Puerto Viejo along the coastal road. You’ll pass Cahuita National Park, and shortly after, you’ll arrive in Puerto Viejo.
Most travel packages include airport meet-and-greet services and private transfers, so you can relax while a driver takes you to your destination.
If you plan to drive, allow about 5 hours plus time to arrange your car rental. It’s recommended to avoid driving at night, especially since the route passes through Braulio Carrillo National Park.
From the airport, take the InterAmerican Highway toward San José, then follow signs for Ruta 32 toward Limón. This road takes you through Braulio Carrillo National Park, a scenic mountainous cloud forest with the Zurquí tunnel along the way.
Continue past Guápiles and Siquirres until you reach Limón. From there, follow signs toward Cahuita and Puerto Viejo along the coastal road. You’ll pass Cahuita National Park, and shortly after, you’ll arrive in Puerto Viejo.
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