Top things to do in puerto viejo - costa rica

This last year we stumbled upon some incredible, almost too good to be true, flight deals to Costa Rica. Obviously we couldn't say no, the only thing to do was lock those deals in straight away! The only problem was that the deals were to fly in September, aka rainy season across 90% of Costa Rica. And I really don't like the rain. That's when we did a bit of research and found out about Puerto Viejo!

On the Caribbean coast, Puerto Viejo is part of the wet region of Costa Rica. In fact it rains most of the year here when the rest of the country is experiencing dry weather - check out what we did in Tamarindo in January! The dry months here in Puerto Viejo are September and October which made it our perfect Costa Rica getaway to take advantage of this deal! Costa Rica really is the perfect country for a sunny getaway year round! I will warn you, it was extremely warm and humid at this time of year. The locals call it the Caribbean summer. I highly recommend getting accommodations with air conditioning for a decent night's rest!

Although it's a little far from San José, it's very easy to get to. A variety of shuttles, private cars and charter buses do the distance every day, it's only a matter of choosing the option that best fit your needs and budget. You can also rent a car, but we were too skeptical from hearing horror stories, so we opted for a bus. The only thing left to research was what to do.

To make it easy on you, we've gathered the top things to do in Puerto Viejo, from chocolate and beer tastings to snorkelling, there is something for all tastes.
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Things to do in Puerto Viejo

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Here are your top things to do in amazing Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica!
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Rent Bicycles

Alright it sounds average, but trust me this was the best money we spent. A bicycle will be your best friend in the intense summer heat of the Caribbean! You'll get the breeze in your hair, go from one end of town to the other in 15 minutes and be able to see and stop at all the best places along the way!

There are plenty of places where you can rent your bicycle and they seem to charge around the same 6 to 7 USD. All the bikes have handy little baskets in the front to carry your things and come with bike locks to make sure it's still there when you come back to it.

Super bike friendly, Puerto Viejo and its surrounding is rather flat. You will see that everyone rides bikes, locals and tourists alike. Just watch out for incoming cars and don't ride in the dark unless your bike has a reflective light as cars can drive by pretty fast and might not see you.

A little break from snorkelling to have a snack on the beach!

Go Beach Hopping!

You cannot visit Costa Rica without testing out at least a few beaches and with your rented bicycle you can hit a bunch of them all in a day! Pack up your towel, swimsuit and water bottle and head out for a day of sun and sand.

The Caribbean beaches around Puerto Viejo are so warm and have some really fun waves to play around and enjoy the day. Our favorite was Playa Negra, just slightly north of the Puerto Viejo downtown. A beautiful and large black sand beach with nothing but sand under your feet when you get in the water. It's very easy to access, even if you're walking, and there is barely anybody there. We actually felt safe leaving our things practically unattended while we swam around because it was like a private beach!

Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Playa Grande all located south of Puerto Viejo are also beaches you shouldn't miss!
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Go Surfing

Although the Caribbean coast is not know for its surfing quite like the Pacific coast, there is some great waves where you can get surf on!

Playa Cocles is by far the most popular spot for surfing, with rentals, lessons and shops for all your surf needs. If you're a surfing newbie, I highly recommend taking some lessons. You'll find yourself standing on that board, riding the waves in no time! I was surprised at how easy it is to learn when someone is pushing you in the water. I was also surprised at how much harder it is to do it on your own. I think I'll stick with the lessons for now!

Here comes our chocolates! You gotta try these tastings!

Try a Chocolate Pairing!

The climate of Costa Rica makes for ideal conditions for the growth and flowering of the cocoa plants, which means of course chocolate! What better way to discover a new country than to try the specialties?

Right in downtown Puerto Viejo, you will find Cho.co, a little chocolate shop where you can have the unique experience of trying a variety of local chocolates with a pairing of your choice. Whether you want to try wine, beer, rum or coffee, take a break from the heat and come to Cho.co where they will serve you their delicacies and tell you the story of each chocolatier! With each drink, you are served a corresponding chocolate chosen specially for the qualities they bring out in each other, making your taste buds dance for joy!

We tried the rum and coffee pairing, and totally regret not going back for a taste of the beer and wine as well!
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Visit the Cahuita National Park

The Cahuita National Park is another spot not to miss during your trip to Puerto Viejo. An important conservation area of the Límon region of Costa Rica, Cahuita National Park is home to a great number of wildlife and plants. 

Take your hiking shoes with you and walk the approximate 7km pathway through the park, and if you're lucky, you'll be able to witness monkeys, sloths, snakes, birds and loads of butterflies! 

Make sure to also bring your swimsuit to take a break in the beautiful sandy beach - you'll need it with how hot it gets!

If this 5yr old can learn to surf, so can you!!

Go Snorkelling

I love to go snorkelling wherever I go, and the conservation area of the Cahuita National Park was a perfect spot to snorkel! 

We took the public bus about 30km to Cahuita and booked a snorkelling tour with a local company. The tour guide took us by boat to two different spots in the ocean, and we snorkelled and swam for over an hour in each spot. We were lucky enough to see a turtle and three nurse sharks amongst the many fish and corrals!

Unfortunately, since the Cahuita National Park is a protected area, you are not allowed to go on your own to snorkel. You MUST be accompanied by and follow a guide while you are in the water to ensure you are staying within the permissible limits and are not endangering the sea life and its environment. For that reason, it is important to make sure you pick a reliable company and guide who have gotten good reviews!
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Visit one of the animal sanctuaries

Who doesn't want to see a sloth? Nobody! Although seeing them in the wild is always best, it can be a bit of a gamble whether or not you will find one!

We saw monkeys and sloths in the wild, but we usually like to visit the animal sanctuaries to support the efforts made in protecting, rescuing and rehabilitating animals that would have no chance without them. We visited the Jaguar Rescue Centre nearby and enjoyed most of the tour. Our guide was a biologist with a lot of knowledge and passion about every animal she showed us.

We appreciated a lot that the animals are not handled or approached by visitors at any time.
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Craft beer at Kaya's Place

Try some local Craft Beer

The Craft beer scene of Costa Rica is developing quite nicely and we're loving it! You can't exactly do a brewery tour in Puerto Viejo as there is limited selection, but make sure you visit Kaya's Place!

A hotel and brewery, Kaya's place is located just in front of the southern part of Playa Negra. We came here more than once for beer and tried their flight as well to get a taste of each brews. Does watermelon beer sound good to you? Yeah? Well this is the place for you!! P.S it's delicious!

Take a Day Tour

There is loads of day tours available from Puerto Viejo and each of them more exciting than the next! See turtles in Tortuguero, see a volcano, visit one of the other National Parks, or even take a few days and go to Bocas del Toro in Panama!

We didn't have enough time to try these this time, but they're on our list for the next!

Beach bliss!

Chill Out and Pura Vida

You know how sometimes you just want to sit and watch tv after work? Well once in a while I like to do that when I'm on vacation. Not necessarily watch tv (especially in the Caribbean heat!), but mostly chill and do practically nothing. Find a napping spot, like a hamac, bring a book or listen to some music for a few hours. Puerto Viejo is the perfect place to chill and restock on your energy! Pura Vida!