Mariana's Guidebook
Best Beaches
All magical beaches of Puerto Viejo!
Punta Uva is one of the most beautiful beaches in the South Caribbean and my personal favorite!
It’s getting pretty popular so it’s best to visit during weekdays or early in the morning so you can secure a nice spot.
This beach is perfect for snorkeling, take a dip in the sea or just relax and enjoy the amazing view!
69 recommandé par les habitants
Punta Uva
36Punta Uva is one of the most beautiful beaches in the South Caribbean and my personal favorite!
It’s getting pretty popular so it’s best to visit during weekdays or early in the morning so you can secure a nice spot.
This beach is perfect for snorkeling, take a dip in the sea or just relax and enjoy the amazing view!
A secluded beach with gorgeous natural pools made out of reef, Playa Chiquita is a must-see for all our visitors.
Playa Chiquita, Limón, Costa Rica
A secluded beach with gorgeous natural pools made out of reef, Playa Chiquita is a must-see for all our visitors.
This rare beauty it’s known for its volcanic black sand that makes it a “one of a kind beach” in the area. Perfect to take long walks and avoid crowds.
Playa Negra
This rare beauty it’s known for its volcanic black sand that makes it a “one of a kind beach” in the area. Perfect to take long walks and avoid crowds.
Tours & Activities
A mix of amazing tours and activities to not miss on your visit to the Caribbean!
If you are an animal lover we highly recommend you take a tour in the Jaguar Rescue Center! They have two tours per day, one at 9.30am and the other one at 11.30am (make sure you book your tour in advance through their website)
119 recommandé par les habitants
Jaguar Rescue Center
If you are an animal lover we highly recommend you take a tour in the Jaguar Rescue Center! They have two tours per day, one at 9.30am and the other one at 11.30am (make sure you book your tour in advance through their website)
Caribeans offers the best cacao farm and chocolate tour in town, plus they also have lovely coffee shop in Cocles where you can enjoy sweets treats made from their organic chocolate. Highly recommended, it’s the perfect activity for rainy days 😉
33 recommandé par les habitants
Caribeans Coffee & Chocolate
Caribeans offers the best cacao farm and chocolate tour in town, plus they also have lovely coffee shop in Cocles where you can enjoy sweets treats made from their organic chocolate. Highly recommended, it’s the perfect activity for rainy days 😉
My recommendation for kayaks tours in the Punta Uva River, if you are lucky you can see sloths, turtles, monkeys, iguanas and more!
Puerto Viejo Tours CR
My recommendation for kayaks tours in the Punta Uva River, if you are lucky you can see sloths, turtles, monkeys, iguanas and more!
My recommendation if you want a tour to the amazing Tortuguero and it’s canals. Also for the most adventurous they have the best water rafting experience in CR!
Exploradores Outdoors
My recommendation if you want a tour to the amazing Tortuguero and it’s canals. Also for the most adventurous they have the best water rafting experience in CR!
Lewis Brother Surf
Surf school by local surfers, very recommended!
Located in Punta Uva beach, this is my recommendation if you are interested in scuba diving, they have different PADI courses and also rent snorkeling gear.
Punta Uva Dive center
Located in Punta Uva beach, this is my recommendation if you are interested in scuba diving, they have different PADI courses and also rent snorkeling gear.
Yoga classes with amazing sea view
7 recommandé par les habitants
OM at Cashew Hill | Yoga Retreat Center & Spa
Calle 213Yoga classes with amazing sea view
National Parks
Gandoca-Manzanillo is a national wildlife refuge that has gorgeous small beaches surrounded by reef. There’s a famous lookout that you get to just by taking the simple and short trail up to that point, it’s definitely a must see!
71 recommandé par les habitants
Manzanillo
Gandoca-Manzanillo is a national wildlife refuge that has gorgeous small beaches surrounded by reef. There’s a famous lookout that you get to just by taking the simple and short trail up to that point, it’s definitely a must see!
This national park is only 20mins away from Puerto Viejo, we recommend to do a day trip if you want to really explore the place or a half day visit if you just want to chill at the beach. While you are there, stop in town and buy the famous “patty” from Patty Delrita!
43 recommandé par les habitants
Cahuita
This national park is only 20mins away from Puerto Viejo, we recommend to do a day trip if you want to really explore the place or a half day visit if you just want to chill at the beach. While you are there, stop in town and buy the famous “patty” from Patty Delrita!
Food scene | Dinner
Best restaurants for dinner and night outs
The best Italian food and cocktails in town, right in the heart of Puerto Viejo!
55 recommandé par les habitants
Cafe Viejo
The best Italian food and cocktails in town, right in the heart of Puerto Viejo!
Koki Beach Restaurant Bar Lounge
Great cocktails and fusion food
French/Caribbean fusion, cozy atmosphere and right downtown.
18 recommandé par les habitants
La casita de Monli Bar Restaurante
256French/Caribbean fusion, cozy atmosphere and right downtown.
Cozy and romantic atmosphere, delicious catalan food in Playa Chiquita
19 recommandé par les habitants
Pura Gula Restaurante
Calle Playa ChiquitaCozy and romantic atmosphere, delicious catalan food in Playa Chiquita
Food Scene | Lunch
Best restaurants to eat lunch
Soda Lidia's Place
The best traditional Caribbean food
Cute little restaurant in Punta Uva, their highlight is they can take the food to you right in the beach. Try their catch of the day and their ceviche, top notch!
La Sirena
Cute little restaurant in Punta Uva, their highlight is they can take the food to you right in the beach. Try their catch of the day and their ceviche, top notch!
Argentinian restaurant in Punta Cocles, great hamburgers and grilled steaks! They actually served breakfast (try their handmade “media lunas”) lunch and dinner so you can go anytime a day.
14 recommandé par les habitants
El Rincon Porteño
Argentinian restaurant in Punta Cocles, great hamburgers and grilled steaks! They actually served breakfast (try their handmade “media lunas”) lunch and dinner so you can go anytime a day.
Lovely restaurant/bar towndown with a variety of options for lunch and dinner, from seafood and steak to sushi, bowls and tacos. Great atmosphere, they actually have plenty of activities at night, like salsa class, live music or their popular “Afrochill Sundays”
Chaman Mercadito
Lovely restaurant/bar towndown with a variety of options for lunch and dinner, from seafood and steak to sushi, bowls and tacos. Great atmosphere, they actually have plenty of activities at night, like salsa class, live music or their popular “Afrochill Sundays”
Food scene | Breakfast
Best restaurants to eat breakfast
Best breakfast in town! Everything is made from scratch, try the creamy scramble eggs with bagel and the waffles!
64 recommandé par les habitants
Bread & Chocolate
Calle 215Best breakfast in town! Everything is made from scratch, try the creamy scramble eggs with bagel and the waffles!
Italian bakery with both traditional Costa Rican and American breakfast, plus lots of bake goods for you to choose from!
19 recommandé par les habitants
De Gustibus Bakery - Puerto Viejo
Italian bakery with both traditional Costa Rican and American breakfast, plus lots of bake goods for you to choose from!
Relaxed spot to get tico breakfast, sandwiches and baked goods at just steps from the sea.
36 recommandé par les habitants
Pan Pay
Relaxed spot to get tico breakfast, sandwiches and baked goods at just steps from the sea.
Food scene | Beach afternoon vibes
Great places to eat, drink and chill with a beachfront view
Beach club with amazing Caribbean food, nice cocktails and lounge beds to relax and enjoy the view
El Sendero Beach Club
Beach club with amazing Caribbean food, nice cocktails and lounge beds to relax and enjoy the view
A relaxed restaurant/rastabar located in front of the iconic Salsa Brava surf break
65 recommandé par les habitants
Salsa Brava Bar
A relaxed restaurant/rastabar located in front of the iconic Salsa Brava surf break
Cute little Tiki bar with excellent cocktails, snacks and happy hour everyday 🍹
20 recommandé par les habitants
PUERTO PIRATA TIKI BAR
Calle 215Cute little Tiki bar with excellent cocktails, snacks and happy hour everyday 🍹
Gorgeous vegan cafe/restaurant with healthy food, drinks and amazing views to the beach
14 recommandé par les habitants
Grow Beachfront Restaurant
Gorgeous vegan cafe/restaurant with healthy food, drinks and amazing views to the beach