Puerto Viejo is the largest tourist destination located in Limon province on the coast of the Caribbean Sea. It is a beach lover’s paradise. This vibrant seaside town is located 34 miles south east of Port Limon and about 10 miles south of Cahuita. This is surrounded by the exotic flora and fauna with gorgeous beaches. It has warm and crystal clear blue waters, and several most amazing surfing breaks. Puerto Viejo is considered one of the most happening places in Costa Rica. It is the largest tourist destination in Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Fast becoming one of Costa Rica’s premier tourist hot destination, many international surfers visit here from all over the world to ride the famous Salsa Brava waves, making this Rasta Jamaican influenced town is a most sought place in Limon.
The locals known it as Puerto Viejo and one should not to be puzzled with Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui in Heredia. In earlier times a quiet little fishing village, now it a bustling town and has a charm that is all its own recently, it has become very popular particularly with the young modish crowd, this place is included among the best surfing destinations of the world. It has a relaxed atmosphere and carries its own exclusive blend of Latino, Afro-Caribbean and Bribri cultures, Puerto Viejo is a lively place and carry pristine, uncrowded beaches, excellent restaurant a beautiful bay with calm water to have fun relaxing vacation.
Puerto Viejo town has a wide variety of bars, discos and restaurants as well as medium priced accommodations and hotels spread all over the place. The travelers will find plenty of good shopping opportunities here as well. Additionally, there are several attractive attractions nearby such as the Cahuita National Park, Talamanca Indian Reserve and Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is becoming a premier tourist destination in Costa Rica.
Most of the roads to this town are in poor condition, the only paved road is being the main highway from Limon to Manzanillo. The streets her are dirt paved. However, they give Puerto Viejo a kind of rural touch that is distinctive and unique. The people are also very friendly here and all this adds to this tiny village’s charm.
Puerto Viejo’s Salsa Brave beach is a surfer’s paradise. However, be cautioned of the waters at this juncture that have a strong rip current. So, swimming is not suitable. This beach is for surfing experts only. With surfing, the visitors can also involve themselves in horseback tours of the vicinity, as well as diving, snorkeling, mountain biking, kayaking and boogie boarding. If you are looking to have a good time or just to give a relaxation to the mind or body, the coast of Puerto Viejo is a best place to relax and soak in the sun.
The Southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is absolutely free of hurricanes. At 9 degrees north of the equator, they are blissfully free of worrying about hurricanes.
Accommodations
Le Cameleon – Puerto Viejo de Limon
Placed between a verdant tropical forest and the golden-sand Playa Cocles Beach, the Hotel Le Cameleon offers 10 superior rooms, six deluxe rooms, six junior suites and one suite. All accommodations are non-smoking. Rooms offer standard modern amenities and a mini-bar, iPod docking station and complimentary Wi-Fi. Some units also feature a private balcony.
Property amenities and services include an outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, full-service health and beauty spa, on-site restaurant with lounge, beach clubhouse with snack and beverage bar, laundry facilities, on-site complimentary parking and wedding and honeymoon packages.
A 15-minute walk takes guests to the main part of town, which offers additional dining venues, street vendors, bars, nightclubs and dance clubs.
Kasha Hotel – Puerto Viejo de Limon
Kasha Hotel is located close to some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica and is ideal for beach weddings, honeymoons and all-inclusive vacations. The Hotel Kasha opened in 1994, and was renovated in 2002. You’ll never get closer to Paradise. Their unique bungalows, pool & spa, sundeck, an intimate Palapa, amazing tropical gardens, and superb French Restaurant & Bar will make your stay unforgettable. Your All-Inclusive Vacations include everything. All gourmet meals, unlimited premium, drinks, one free tour are included with a lot more.
Coco Loco Lodge – Puerto Viejo de Limon
Caribbean style bungalows in tropical garden just 150m from beach, in the midst of tropical vegetation. This Lodge property is spreaded on four acres with beautifully planted garden, surrounded by giant trees. It has seven comfortable, different sized bungalows which offer space for 1 – 4 persons, some are with kitchens.
Activities in Puerto Viejo and its Surroundings:
There are several activities in and round the pristine beaches and tropical gardens and rainforests and one of the best surf spot. There are a number of options for getting around in the Puerto Viejo area. The area between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo is quite dense and generally flat so a bicycle rental is an excellent option. Buses also run regularly between Limon and Puerto Viejo and on to domestic destinations such as Hone Creek, Bri Bri and Sixaola. Driving is an easy option although the roads are not paved between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo and there is lots of pedestrian and bicycle traffic so take it slowly. Taxis are also available. Car Rentals are now available in the Puerto Viejo area. The activities are as under:
– World famous surfing spot
– Take a courtyard ride through the tropical forest
– Visit to Manzanillo Beach: take a taste of delicious fresh lobster and make a walk around its beautiful coral-sand beaches.
– Enjoy with the Canopy Tour through the tropical forest
– Visit the Jungle in the night and watch night life of the animals.
– You must explore and get knowledge of the Costa Rica Rain forest during the tour.
– Scuba Diving at Puerto Viejos Coral Reefs
– Horse back ridding along fifteen kilometers of exotic beaches from – Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo
Take a tour to Tortuguero National Park to visit the nesting grounds of the green sea turtle that can be seen from July to September, and take a tour through its rivers, you will observe a great variety of flora and fauna. Orchids, birds, monkeys, crocodiles, sloths, toucans and many other species can be seen.
– White water rafting: Make an experience of the excitement surrounded by exotic plants
– Take tour to the Irazu, Poas and Arenal Volcanoes tours.
– A two-day visit to Bocas del Toro in Panama (just 2 hours away from – Sport Fishing Trips
– The Cahuita National Park,
– Talamanca Indian Reserve
– Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.
Getting to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Getting to the Puerto Viejo area is very easy. There are a several options.
The bus is the most economical option and is very cheap. Five direct buses leave from San Jose on daily basis.
Shared van services are available that picks passenger from door to door. They have several daily departures from San Jose and Arenal to Puerto Viejo.
You can also find a private transport that will take you directly from San Jose Airport to Puerto Viejo.
If you opt for a Rafting Trip they can pick you up in San Jose and leave you in Puerto Viejo at the end of the day or vice-versa.
Driving from San Jose takes about four hours by using the faster rout and there are two different routes are possible.
You can fly from San Jose to Limon and then take a bus or taxi to Puerto Viejo.
