Puerto Viejo is almost like a country on its own. The Reggae vibe, Caribbean flavor, selection of white, golden, and black sand beaches, and clear blue waters are reminiscent of the Caribbean islands. While not an island, it is on the Caribbean Sea.&nbsp;

<h3>The Unique Vibe of the Caribbean</h3>Veteran visitors to Costa Rica and travelers who prefer to venture off the beaten tourist path love <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/puerto-viejo/">Puerto Viejo</a> for its unique vibe. There’s plenty to see and do in the area, from surfing to learning how chocolate is made, tasting artisanal ice cream, and exploring the indigenous culture. Oh - and the hotels in Puerto Viejo offer a truly boutique experience!&nbsp;<h3>Location and Culture</h3>Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is located on the country's southeastern coast, in the province of Limón bordering the Caribbean Sea.&nbsp;&nbsp;Once a quiet seaside village, Puerto Viejo has blossomed into an international destination with a relaxed Caribbean vibe. Young travelers flock here for outstanding surf, party vibe, relaxed atmosphere, and pristine beaches.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Surf and Scuba</h3>The area is a popular spot for <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/surfing/">surfers</a> who travel from around the world to catch Costa Rica's most powerful wave, the Salsa Brava. Away from this wave, other beaches provide smaller waves for beginners. <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/diving/">Scuba diving</a> and snorkeling are also popular pastimes in this Caribbean beach town.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Food and Chocolate</h3>If you work up an appetite while surfing, head to the Chocolate Museum, which offers tours to show how this delicious treat is made from local ingredients.&nbsp;<h3>Azania Bungalows in Puerto Viejo</h3>One of the best Puerto Viejo hotels is the <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/puerto-viejo/stay/azania-bungalows/">Azania Bungalows</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;These thatched-roof accommodations blend seamlessly with the natural surroundings, without sacrificing the amenities you’ve come to expect from a perfect trip.&nbsp;&nbsp;The freeform pool and jacuzzi at Azania are surrounded by lush vegetation, just steps away from the beach.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Aguas Claras Hotel</h3><a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/puerto-viejo/stay/aguas-claras/">Aguas Claras</a> is one of the best hotels near Puerto Viejo, a short walk from the beach with a Caribbean-Victorian style.&nbsp;&nbsp;There’s a massage room, an open-air yoga studio, a pool, and a restaurant. The gardens are home to monkeys, sloths, and butterflies.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Le Cameleon&nbsp;</h3>One of the most elegant options in Puerto Viejo is <a href="https://www.vacationscostarica.com/puerto-viejo/stay/le-cameleon-boutique-hotel/">Le Cameleon</a>, a boutique hotel known for changing the accent colors in the rooms daily, like a chameleon.&nbsp;&nbsp;This unique touch gives a bit of playfulness to your stay. Located close to Cocles Beach, Le Chameleon has a beach club with yoga, spa treatments, live music, pool, and a bar/restaurant.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h2>FAQs About a Stay in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica</h2>&nbsp;<h3>Is Puerto Viejo worth visiting?&nbsp;</h3>Puerto Viejo is well worth visiting. It’s popular among young travelers and those who appreciate a laid-back, off-the-beaten-path location with great beaches and Caribbean food.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>What is Puerto Viejo known for?&nbsp;</h3>It’s known primarily for it's surfing - The Salsa Brava is by far Costa Rica's most powerful wave. Puerto Viejo also has a laid-back vibe with live music all over town and many beaches. It’s also become known for its tasty Caribbean cuisine, fresh seafood, and gourmet gastronomy with artisanal ice cream, pizza, and chocolate.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>How far is Puerto Viejo from the beach?&nbsp;</h3>Puerto Viejo is the beach! The central part of town is just a block from the sea with beachfront bars and restaurants. There are bungalow-type hotel options in Puerto Viejo, and luxury hotels are found within 10-15 minutes of town on some beautiful beaches nearby.&nbsp;<h3>How many days do you need in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica?&nbsp;</h3>Three to five nights would be an ideal time to spend in Puerto Viejo. You can also stay much longer because there are so many tours and adventures. Surfing, kayaking, snorkeling, scuba diving, fishing, hiking, and more are all available here.&nbsp;&nbsp;<h3>Is Puerto Viejo safe to visit?&nbsp;</h3>Yes, but as in any location, keep an eye on your valuables and do stay in populated areas.&nbsp;

Want to combine some time in Puerto Viejo with other adventurous locations? Our complete packages are custom made for you with your transportation, tours, and lodging at the locations of your choice. With so many options, we can help you decide which places and accommodations are best for the kind of vacation you have in mind.&nbsp;

Puerto Viejo Hotels

Azánia Bungalows

Puerto Viejo

Le Cameleon

Hotel Aguas Claras

See a Sloth

Nature & Wildlife

Surf Lessons

Adrenaline

Beach Fun

Hiking in Costa Rica

Hiking

National Parks

Indigenous Reserve Visit

Indigenous Reserve

Culture

Kayaking in Costa Rica

Kayaking

Mangrove And Estuary Boat Ride

Mangrove And Estuary

Chocolate Farm Visit

Visit a Chocolate Farm

Puerto Viejo has a wide range of places to stay, from budget friendly to higher-end, boutique luxury beach bungalows. 

Aside from surfing and partying, Puerto Viejo offers ATV touring, zip lining, horseback riding, cycling, fishing, boogie boarding, stand-up paddling, etc. You won’t find it hard to have fun!

<h2>Sun, Surf, and Reggae: Puerto Viejo Is Something Else!</h2>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.The melting pot that is Puerto Viejo shows in its restaurants. Everything from fine dining options with exquisite international cuisine to local ‘sodas’ offering fresh ‘mariscos’ (shellfish) is available. Puerto Viejo is one of the friendliest locales in Costa Rica, where party-goers, surfers, and passersby mingle at the beach by day and come night. Many bars offer Caribbean beats for never-ending fun.Puerto Viejo is still considered an off-the-beaten-track, authentic destination where the local community wishes to keep maintaining its roots and beautiful, unique ambiance and environment.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648050092/puerto_viejo_beach_sunrise_panoramic_7cb48960e2.jpg" alt="puerto-viejo-beach-sunrise-panoramic.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648050093/thumbnail_puerto_viejo_beach_sunrise_panoramic_7cb48960e2.jpg 245w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648050094/small_puerto_viejo_beach_sunrise_panoramic_7cb48960e2.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648050094/medium_puerto_viejo_beach_sunrise_panoramic_7cb48960e2.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1648050093/large_puerto_viejo_beach_sunrise_panoramic_7cb48960e2.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h3>Best Time to Travel to Puerto Viejo</h3>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.<h3>Weather in Puerto Viejo</h3>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.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665427186/cahuita_snorkeling_tour_puerto_viejo_solo_travler_47e0f50aba.jpg" alt="cahuita-snorkeling-tour-puerto-viejo-solo-travler.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665427186/thumbnail_cahuita_snorkeling_tour_puerto_viejo_solo_travler_47e0f50aba.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665427186/small_cahuita_snorkeling_tour_puerto_viejo_solo_travler_47e0f50aba.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665427186/medium_cahuita_snorkeling_tour_puerto_viejo_solo_travler_47e0f50aba.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665427186/large_cahuita_snorkeling_tour_puerto_viejo_solo_travler_47e0f50aba.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h3>Is Puerto Viejo Safe?</h3>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.Another precaution to take in Puerto Viejo is while swimming or surfing. The Salsa Brava surf break is no joke, and if you're not an expert surfer, you have no business being out in it. It's a reef break, too, and you'll see surfers wearing helmets to protect themselves. You should too.&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459083/caribbean_manzanillo_point_family_puerto_viejo_d05a9c5399.jpg" alt="caribbean-manzanillo-point-family-puerto-viejo.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459083/thumbnail_caribbean_manzanillo_point_family_puerto_viejo_d05a9c5399.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459083/small_caribbean_manzanillo_point_family_puerto_viejo_d05a9c5399.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459083/medium_caribbean_manzanillo_point_family_puerto_viejo_d05a9c5399.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459083/large_caribbean_manzanillo_point_family_puerto_viejo_d05a9c5399.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h2>Top Restaurants in Puerto Viejo</h2>Cafe Rico: Puerto Viejo's top breakfast spot and perhaps one of the friendliest restaurants.&nbsp;Como en la Gloria: On Playa Cocles, Como en la Gloria is an upscale restaurant with a Mediterranean twist. Reservations recommended.&nbsp;Soulsurfer: Great sandwiches and wraps and maybe the best burgers in Costa Rica?&nbsp;Port Vell: Another top breakfast place with amazing Gallo Pinto.&nbsp;Todo es Posible: Everything is exceptional here, from the pasta to the pizza to the seafood!&nbsp;<img src="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459086/sloth_manzanillo_puerto_viejo_caribbean_b855e5c411.jpg" alt="sloth-manzanillo-puerto-viejo-caribbean.jpg" srcset="https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459086/thumbnail_sloth_manzanillo_puerto_viejo_caribbean_b855e5c411.jpg 234w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459086/small_sloth_manzanillo_puerto_viejo_caribbean_b855e5c411.jpg 500w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459086/medium_sloth_manzanillo_puerto_viejo_caribbean_b855e5c411.jpg 750w,https://res.cloudinary.com/vacationscostarica-com/image/upload/v1665459086/large_sloth_manzanillo_puerto_viejo_caribbean_b855e5c411.jpg 1000w," sizes="100vw"><h2>How To Get To Puerto Viejo</h2>Juan Santamaria Airport (Airport Code SJO), outside the capital city of San José, is the closest international airport to Puerto Viejo.<h3>Distance &amp; Driving Time to Puerto Viejo</h3>From SJO Airport: 144 miles (231 kilometers), about 5 hours.All Costa Rican Vacations packages include an airport "meet and greet" service and private transfers with English-speaking drivers. This means you're all set when you arrive in-country - just sit back, relax, and our driver will get you to your destination.&nbsp;If you're planning to drive to Puerto Viejo from the airport, give yourself about five hours of driving time and an hour to arrange your car rental. Make sure you arrive in Costa Rica early enough in the day to not drive at night - something we don't recommend, especially on this route which takes you through the Braulio Carrillo National Park.Once you have your car, get onto the InterAmerican Highway and head towards San Jose. Before you enter the city, you'll hit a large junction in La Uruca, with signs for Ruta 31, the main ring road. It's a left turn off the highway, which will take you to the main strip of La Uruca. Make sure you have Waze on, as it can get complicated here. Then, take a right, which will take you across the northern suburbs of San Jose to Cinco Esquinas. Keep following the signs for Limon and Ruta 32. Once on Ruta 32, you're home free to the coast.The road will take you out of the city and towards the Braulio Carrillo National Park. You'll drive through the mountainous cloud forest, but keep an eye on the road as trucks thunder through here, and it can get hairy. Shortly after entering the park, you'll pass through the famous Zurqui road tunnel, which cuts straight through a mountain. As you pass through the park, the elevation will drop, and eventually, you'll leave the park on the Caribbean side of the Continental Divide.Keep on until you get to the town of Guapiles and pass straight on through (although here's an excellent spot to stop for lunch, too). Soon, you'll pass through the town of Siquirres, and from there, you're really in the Caribbean, with the road surrounded by banana plantations as far as the eye can see on both sides. After a while, you'll hit the coast and the city of Limon. Before heading into the city center, you'll see Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Panama signs. Swing a hard right at a restaurant called Doña Nora and follow that road, Ruta 241, all the way down. You'll head inland for a bit, which might be confusing, but stay on the road. Soon, you'll be in the banana fields again, and after the village of Rio Banano, you'll hit the coast.Now, it's easy. Just keep ongoing. You'll soon pass Cahuita and then the exit to Cahuita National Park. After that, you'll see a black sand beach on your left, and once you see a wrecked ship on shore, swing left, and you're in Puerto Viejo.

Adults-Only

Beachfront

Yoga

'A' for Adventure: Puerto Viejo and Pacuare

'A' for Adventure

Beach

Pacuare has options ranging from hostels to elaborate ecolodges. 

From whitewater rafting to hiking, zip lining, cayoning, and horseback riding! There is a plethora of activities to choose from.

Pacuare River

Pacuare

Rainforest

Luxury

Adventure in the Caribbean: Arenal Volcano and Puerto Viejo

Adventure in the Caribbean

Waterfalls

Relaxing

From luxurious five-star options with fantastic volcano views to the more cozy three-star boutique options. There are no all-inclusive resorts, but the service is generally excellent!

There is so much to do in the Arenal area! Hot springs, hikes, nature reserves, hanging bridges, waterfalls, etc.

Arenal Volcano and La Fortuna

Arenal Volcano

Countryside

Volcano

Fly Fishing

Relaxation

Group Travel

Boutique

Freshwater Fishing

Sustainable

Cloud Forest & The Caribbean: Bajos del Toro and Puerto Viejo

Cloud Forest & The Caribbean

Renowned as one of the best eco-hotels globally, El Silencio Lodge mixes nature and wellness in a unique way. It's our only recommendation for this area, but you won't regret it!

They say that the Catarata del Toro, a massive waterfall tumbling into an ancient, extinct volcano is the most spectacular in Costa Rica. But there are tons of impressive waterfalls in this area.

Bajos del Toro and Catarata del Toro

Bajos del Toro

Cloud Forest

Coast to Coast Adventure: Puerto Viejo and Manuel Antonio

Coast to Coast Adventure

There are various options from budget-friendly to very high-end. Most places are either walkable to the beach and surrounded by jungle or just a few minutes drive.

Aside from a few days of sunbathing and swimming at one of the most beautiful beaches in the world, there is so much to do in the area. 

Manuel Antonio

National Park

Deep Sea

Snapper

Blue Marlin

Mahi Mahi

Rooster

Sailfish

FADS

Fishing

Romance

Inshore Fishing

Wahoo

Yellowfin Tuna

Coast to Coast Yoga and Surf: Puerto Viejo and Nosara

Coast to Coast Yoga and Surf

There are plenty of hotels and rentals around Nosara. If you are looking to go outside the beaches, check south of Playa Guiones before Playa Garza, as there are some excellent hotels/resorts.

Surf and sunsets! Nosara also has great outdoor activities and a laidback atmosphere. Enjoy a yoga class right on the beach.

Nosara

Unique

Couples

Honeymoon

Teen-friendly

Adventure

Cross Country Surf Combo: Puerto Viejo and Playa Dominical

Cross Country Surf Combo

Dominical is small but boasts several great places to stay for all budgets, from surf camps to higher-end eco-lodges and rentals. 

Dominical offers year-round action with some of the most consistent waves in Costa Rica. Also, Dominical has some of the best whale watching opportunities globally and is close to the Marino Ballena National Park.

Playa Dominical

Dominical

Hiking Cloud Forests and Caribbean Beaches: San Ramón and Puerto Viejo

Hiking Cloud Forests and Caribbean Beaches

Villa Blanca Cloud Forest Hotel is a boutique eco-hotel located in the tropical cloud forests outside of San Ramon. 

For nature lovers, this is an ideal place to visit. Also, if you're staying close to town, you can visit the park, explore the church and the streets. You'll be charmed.

San Ramón

Real Estate

Kiss of the Caribbean: Puerto Viejo and San Gerardo de Dota

Kiss of the Caribbean

These are some of the many lodging options available in San Gerardo de Dota. 

Take advantage of the great outdoors in style, whether by horseback, zip line, birdwatching hikes or visiting a national park. Enjoy the culture, coffee, and isolation. 

San Gerardo de Dota

Monteverde and Puerto Viejo

The Monteverde area offers a mix of accommodation, from hostels and B&Bs, to unique eco-resorts. We recommend booking in advance.

Monteverde is known for great zip lines, hanging bridges, rich biodiversity, photography, birdwatching and so much more. 


Monteverde Cloud Forest

Monteverde

Remote

Anastasia made our honeymoon so special in so many ways! I can’t appreciate enough how stress-free she has made this process and fun along the way. She was always available even during our trip when I was feeling unwell the first few days and had multiple recommendations which had me feeling better in no time.&nbsp;

Cheyenne P - Anastasia

I worked with Caitlin Summer to plan and book our Costa Rican vacation. She asked what we liked, wanted to see &amp; do and then sent us a proposal. We made a few changes and then booked our trip. Caitlin did a fantastic job meeting our expectations-booking a great hotel with a beautiful view in La Fortuna and an awesome bungalow in Puerto Viejo that made us feel like we were in the jungle.

Sharon Sagastume - Caitlin Summer

Megan Hagarty was so great to work with! She helped my husband and myself with ground transportation which went off without a hitch! We needed ground transportation to the Caribbean coast as well as the return. She was able to allow us to rent a car right in Puerto Viejo which was very convenient. Everything went smoothly! She was very responsive and we were so appreciative of that. I would definitely recommend going through Costa Rican Vacations!

Malteselover_9 - Megan Hagarty

Costa Rican Vacations has been such a great lead in planning our vacation. From beginning to end, including best deals, we enjoyed every minute and wished we could have stayed longer in Puerto Viejo. Service was so courteous and helpful, and didn't miss a beat even during &nbsp;Covid times. Thanks Tara!