Where to stay in Puerto Viejo: town, Cocles, Punta Uva or Cahuita

De bästa sevärdheterna i Puerto Viejo

1. 1

   Playa Cocles

   A long beach of golden sand just south of the town, popular with surfers and sunbathers and lined with small hotels and bars. The sea can have strong rip currents, so swim only where lifeguards or locals advise it is safe.

2. 2

   Playa Negra

   A dark-sand beach on the northern edge of town, quieter than Cocles and often calmer for swimming. Black volcanic sand gets very hot at midday, so bring sandals.

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   3.Punta Uva

   A pair of beautiful bays with palm-backed sand and clear, shallow water, several kilometres south of the town. They are among the most scenic spots on the coast and suit families and snorkellers in calm conditions.

4. 4

   Salsa Brava

   A shallow reef break just off the town that produces one of the biggest and fastest waves in Costa Rica. It is a spectacle for watchers on the shore, but it is a break for expert surfers only because of the sharp reef beneath.

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   5.Cahuita National Park

   A park of rainforest, beach and coral reef near the village of Cahuita, with a coastal trail where monkeys, sloths and birds are often seen. The reef is popular for snorkelling with a guide when the sea is calm.

6. 6

   Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

   A coastal refuge south of Manzanillo, where rainforest, mangroves and beach shelter sea turtles and many birds. Guided kayak and walking trips are the best way to see it.

Var du ska bo i Puerto Viejo

• Puerto Viejo town centre

  The centre has the greatest choice of restaurants, bars, shops and tour operators, and everything is within walking distance. It suits first-time visitors and travellers who like a lively evening, although some streets get loud at night.

• Playa Cocles

  Hotels and cabins run along the beach road just south of town, close to the surf and an easy bicycle ride from the centre. It suits surfers and couples who want the sea at their door.

• Punta Uva

  A quieter stretch several kilometres further south, with small lodges tucked into the forest above the bays. It suits travellers who want peace and nature, though restaurants are fewer and you will rely on a bike or taxi.

• Cahuita

  A relaxed village about 15 kilometres north, next to the national park, with a smaller choice of places to eat. It suits wildlife lovers and anyone who wants a slower pace.

Bästa tiden att besöka Puerto Viejo

The Caribbean coast has a different rhythm from the rest of Costa Rica, and the driest spells are usually February to March and September to October, while rain can fall in any month. February to April often brings the best underwater visibility for snorkelling, and the sea is calmest in the drier spells. December to April is the busiest period, with the highest demand for rooms. Humidity is high all year, so pack light clothes, rain gear and insect repellent.

Så tar du dig runt i Puerto Viejo

Bicycles are the favourite way to move between the town and the beaches, and many guesthouses lend or rent them. Local buses and taxis run along the coast road to Cocles, Punta Uva and Manzanillo. Walking is fine in town, but the coast road is narrow, and cyclists should use lights at night. From San José, direct buses and shared shuttles take several hours, and a car is useful if you want to explore beyond the immediate coast.

Mat och dryck i Puerto Viejo

Caribbean cooking sets this coast apart. Rice and beans cooked in coconut milk is a staple, often served with fish, chicken or lobster, and rondón is a rich stew of seafood, root vegetables and coconut milk. Look for patí, a spicy meat pastry, and for pan bon, a spiced sweet bread. Local cacao produces rich chocolate, and tours with Indigenous Bribri communities explain how it is grown. Fresh fruit, coconut water and ginger drinks are sold everywhere, and good coffee is easy to find.

Frågor om att besöka Puerto Viejo