What's There to To Do in Puerto Viejo?
We've listed some of our favorite activities here. If
you'd like to check prices and details on any of the tours and
activities we can book online for you before you get here,
check our tours page.
Exploring Area Beaches
 One of the great things about this area is the diversity of
the different beaches that are in the area. Playa Negra,
the black sand beach stretches for miles north from the center
of town steps from your door all the way to Cahuita National
Park. Head South from town walking along the "Coconut Walk" and
you'll end up at Playa Cocles, a sandy beach popular with
surfers and beach bums alike. Playa Chiquita is the next
beach southward, probably better reached by bicycle along the
flat roads, and it offers a more mellow experience. The beach at
Punta Uva has been described as one of the world's most
beautiful beaches - it is calm and excellent for snorkeling. At
the end of the beach road, 8km from Puerto Viejo, is the small
village of Manzanillo and it's beach. Beyond that lay
miles of wild coast in the protected Gandoca-Manzanillo
Wildlife Refuge.
If you want a unique way to explore the beaches,
try it on horseback!
 Hiking and Nature Watching
Nature surrounds you in this area - often it will come to
you! But most popular places for spotting monkeys, sloths,
nesting sea turtles (in season),
exotic birds and more are
Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife
Refuge. We recommend seeing these places in the
company of a local guide to maximize the amount of wildlife you
will spot and make it a unforgettable experience.
Get details on our most popular guided trips:
Cahuita Boat, Snorkel and Hike Trip |
Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge Hike
 Canopy/Zipline
Adventure
Another unique way to see nature, pioneered in Costa Rica, is
high up in the trees on a platform or zipping between platforms
on a zipline. Many of Costa Rica's flora and fauna never come
down from the trees. So we send you up there to see them!
Get
prices and booking info for a Canopy/Zipline Adventure.
.jpg) Surfing
and Boogey Boarding
There are beaches for all levels here. Costa Rica's surfing
champion Gilbert Brown hails from this area so it's both a great
place to learn and to become an expert! Here are some of the
best spots:
- Playa Negra is where beginners go to surf and where
several instructors offer lessons.
- Playa Cocles is a great surfing beach for intermediate
surfers.
- Salsa Brava is the place for more advanced surfers.
Find all
these places on the map.
 Whitewater
Rafting
The Costa Rican Caribbean has some of the world's best
whitewater rafting with rivers suitable for all levels and all
experiences. Whether you want a thrill a minute whitewater
experience or a calm float down river valleys of unspoiled
wilderness. This is a great day trip from Puerto Viejo and
includes round trip transportation, breakfast and lunch and all
equipment you'll need. If you book this trip on the day you're
arriving or the day you're leaving too, you can also elect to
get pick up or drop-off as well at San Jose or Arenal area
hotels so it means you get your transportation to/from the
Caribbean for free! (your luggage is securely stored while you
are on the river).
For more details and to book our most popular trip:
Rio Pacuare Whitewater Rafting. Or see an overview of
the rafting trips we offer.
 Dining
Puerto Viejo and area not only has great Caribbean style food
but a great international selection of restaurants and bars to
choose from. Check out this
Puerto Viejo Eating and Drinking photo album for an idea of
some of the choices and to see what comments other people have
left on these places.
Check out
the map for other restaurant descriptions and locations.
Out of Area Trips
We've just scratched the surface with what you can do in
Puerto Viejo. But we know your vacation time in our paradise is
limited and there's so much to see! But here are a couple of
add-on adventures you can do from Puerto Viejo. These make
especially good options to do at the end of your Puerto Viejo
trip as they include transportation from Puerto Viejo and then
you can continue your trip from there.
-
  Bocas
del Toro, Panama: One or two night adventures to our
Caribbean neighbors over the border in Panama. Includes boat
tour, transportation from Puerto Viejo and you can choose
return transport to Puerto Viejo or San Jose.
-
Arenal Volcano: The active Arenal Volcano is a must-see
for a visit to Costa Rica. And relaxing in the hot springs
while you watch the eruptions ain't so bad either!
-
Tortugero National Park: The other Costa Rican Caribbean
is north of Limon and is reached only by boat or plane. This
is a spectacular unspoiled wilderness and you'll explore by
boat on your 1 or more night package which includes
transportation from Puerto Viejo, meals, tours, hotel and
return transport to San Jose.
Check out the full list of
all the tours and activities we recommend and can book for you. | 
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