Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica: travel guide
Afro-Caribbean surf and jungle town on the Limon coast
Laid-back Afro-Caribbean surf-and-jungle town (Limón) famed for the Salsa Brava reef break, reggae nightlife, cacao farms and palm-fringed beaches running south to Manzanillo.
About Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a laid-back village on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, where Afro-Caribbean culture shapes the food, music and pace of life. Palm-fringed beaches and rainforest run along the shore, and bicycles are the usual way of getting around.
Salsa Brava is the surf break known to experienced surfers, while quieter beaches stretch south toward Manzanillo. Nearby, Cahuita National Park has coastal forest trails and reef, the Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge protects wildlife and coastline, and the Jaguar Rescue Center cares for injured animals. Cacao farms and the Keköldi Indigenous Reserve offer a look at local traditions.
Puerto Viejo suits backpackers, surfers and travellers who like a relaxed beach culture. The Caribbean coast has its own weather pattern, and rain is possible at any time, so flexibility helps.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- CRC
- Time zone
- America/Costa_Rica
- Nearest airport
- LIO
Last updated
Plan a Puerto Viejo de Talamanca trip
Top places to visit in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Playa Cocles
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Long golden-sand surf beach ~2 km south of town with lifeguards and a relaxed scene.
Punta Uva
Beach · about 2.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A postcard turquoise bay with a snorkelable point and a jungle headland to climb.
Playa Manzanillo
Beach · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A pristine white-sand beach at the end of the coast road and gateway to the wildlife refuge.
Salsa Brava
Viewpoint · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Costa Rica's biggest, heaviest reef wave, breaking dramatically just off the town.
Cahuita National Park
Nature · about 4 h · check the fee at the gate
Coastal rainforest and coral reef ~18 km northwest, with an easy shoreline trail full of sloths, monkeys and coatis.
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Wildlife · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
Mangrove, reef and rainforest refuge explored on foot from Manzanillo, with dolphins offshore.
Jaguar Rescue Center
Wildlife · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Renowned wildlife rescue and rehabilitation sanctuary in Playa Chiquita, visited on guided tours.
Keköldi Indigenous Reserve (BriBri)
Cultural · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
BriBri indigenous territory above town offering cultural visits, an iguana farm and medicinal-plant walks.
Manzanillo Village
Cultural · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A tiny Afro-Caribbean fishing hamlet at the end of the road, famed for its seafood sodas.
Playa Chiquita
Beach · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
A string of secluded, jungle-fringed coves with calm entry and coral.
Playa Negra (Puerto Viejo)
Beach · about 1.5 h · check the fee at the gate
Black-sand beach stretching northwest from town toward Cahuita.
Things to do
- Cahuita NP Guided Wildlife Walk Wildlife · 3 h · from USD 30 per person
- Punta Uva Snorkeling Tour Water · 3 h · from USD 50 per person
- Jaguar Rescue Center Tour Wildlife · 1.5 h · from USD 27 per person
- Cacao Farm Chocolate Tour Food · 2.5 h · from USD 32 per person
- Coast Bike Rental (Self-Guided) Cycling · 8 h · from USD 10 per person
- BriBri Indigenous Cultural Tour Cultural · 4 h · from USD 45 per person
Day trips and tours
- Caribbean Coast: Cahuita Park & Cacao 7 h · from USD 90
Where to stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Playa Cocles about CRC 110 per night
Long golden-sand surf beach ~2 km south of town with a relaxed hotel strip.
- Puerto Viejo Town Center about CRC 70 per night
Restaurants, bars, surf shops and the town beach beside the Salsa Brava break.
Hotels
- Hotel Pura Vida 2-star · USD 45 to USD 75 per night
- Banana Azul 4-star · USD 130 to USD 220 per night
- Rocking J's 1-star · USD 12 to USD 35 per night
- Physis Caribbean B&B 3-star · USD 110 to USD 170 per night
- Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel 5-star · USD 250 to USD 450 per night
- Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort 4-star · USD 150 to USD 260 per night
Where to eat
- KoKi Beach Mediterranean, Seafood · about USD 20 per person
- Bread & Chocolate Cafe, Bakery · about USD 12 per person
- Stashu's con Fusion Caribbean, Fusion · about USD 18 per person
- Soda Shekiná Costa Rican, Caribbean · about USD 9 per person
- Café Rico Cafe, Breakfast · about USD 10 per person
- Lidia's Place Caribbean · about USD 12 per person
- Selvin's Caribbean · about USD 16 per person
Getting to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Airport: Puerto Limón (LIO)
Getting around
- Bicycle
- Shuttle
- Taxi
- Walking
More in Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions about Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- What are the main places to visit in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
- Places covered in our Puerto Viejo de Talamanca guide include Playa Cocles, Punta Uva, Playa Manzanillo, Salsa Brava, Cahuita National Park.
- Where should I stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo Town Center.
- How do I get around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
- Ways to get around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca covered in our guide: Bicycle, Shuttle, Taxi, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca?
- The nearest airport to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca has the code LIO.