Top things to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Are you about to head to the Caribbean cost of Costa Rica? Or you just curious to learn more about this unique place that lies in the South-East of Costa Rica in the Province of Limón?
Then you came to the perfect place, since we spent a good amount of time there and can share all our discoveries.
Name and Origin of the town
Entering the town from the only one road that leads there, you will be greeted by a colorful welcome sign.
Most noticeably here is that the more commonly known name (as you can find the name on the map) of Puerto Viejo is below a way bigger name WOLABA paying tribute to the towns original name and heritage. Wolaba means in the local language Old Harbor and was the name until the Costa rican government changed the names to Spanish.
The area is home to various indigenous settlements and as well as many Jamaican immigrants, that got here for building the railroad to the Atlantic and thereafter permanently settled in the region. This led to a culture that is fundamentally different from the rest of the country and also persisted due to the isolation of Limón from the rest of the country.
To celebrate the Origin and Cultural heritage in this region there is an annual celebration called Día de la persona Negra y la Cultura Afrocostarricense on the 31 of August.
How to get to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
It takes around 4:30 - 6h to get to Puerto Viejo from San José and in rare cases due to road closures it can also take up to 8h (See below in By Car).
By Public Transport
There is only one bus company that connects Puerto Viejo with the different towns and to San Jose. The bus company is called MEPE, and don’t expect much, but hey they are the only option.
If you are comming from San Jose the easy way to get there is to take the direct bus San José with Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (⬅️ Important to add this part to make sure to end up in the right town, there is another Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui).
Schedule: You can find the times for the bus in this timetable (Row San José hacia Sixaola) Bus Station Location: Google Maps link
Make sure to bring Cash 🤑 since they don’t support electronic payment yet.
The cost for one ticket is ₡ 6'760 / ~ $13.50
The other option with more availability of buses, is to take a bus to Limón with Caribeños the cost for one ticket from San Jose is ₡3.820/$6.37. Once you are in Limón you need to walk to Mepe bus station and take the bus from Limon to Puerto Viejo. Ticket price: ₡2.230/$4.46
Schedule: You can find the times for the bus in this timetable (Row Limón hacia Puerto Viejo) Caribeños Bus Station in San José: Google Maps link Mepe Bus station in Limón: Google Maps link
By Car
The drive to Puerto Viejo from San José takes in optimal conditions around 4h. Take the Ruta 32 thru Guápiles, then to Siquirres. From there it will lead all the way to Limón and than you can follow the ocean most of the way to Puerto Viejo.
Very important: The Ruta 32 goes thru mountains and can be tricky with bad weather condition and especially heavy rain it is not advisable and is often closed down due to water and even landslides. ⚠️ Check the current road status on the Ruta 32 Facebook Page.
If the Road 32 is closed, there is still a way to get to Puerto Viejo, it will just take a bit longer. In that case, take the Ruta 10 thru Cartago to Turrialba and then from there to Siquirres. From there the road will join the regular 32 to Limón and all the way to Puerto Viejo.
Lots of people drive with Waze in Costa Rica, so we advice to check directions and times there.
Beaches
Now that we covered how to get there, it’s time to take a breath and talk about the things why you wanted to go there in the first place! For us, the number one reason is definitively that this area is truly scenic and is home to many super-beautiful beaches, where you will soon forget the hassle it was to get here.
Playa Chino
Right in town just walk from the bus stop to the ocean and you’ll find yourself at the beach called Playa Chino. Here you’ll find many restaurants right on the shore and on Sunset time many people will enjoy the sunset from here.
Playa Cocles
If you want energy, Cocles is the place. It’s a long stretch of golden sand with consistent waves that pull surfers from all over the world. Even if you don’t surf, it’s fun to just watch them ride. The water can be a bit rough at times, so swimming isn’t always ideal, but the vibe on the beach makes up for it. There’s usually a soccer game happening, a reggae playlist in the air, and someone selling fresh coconuts.
Playa Chiquita
Chiquita feels like a secret. The sand is soft, the water is calmer, and the little coves give you that “private beach” feeling. Families love it because kids can swim safely in the tide pools. Bring a mask and snorkel and you’ll find colorful fish hiding in the rocks. It’s the kind of place where time slows down, and you end up staying longer than you planned.
Playa Punta Uva
Punta Uva is postcard material. Palm trees lean over turquoise water, and when the sea is calm it looks like a giant swimming pool. Locals often come here to relax, paddleboard, or just float around. It’s one of those beaches that really shows off the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, peaceful and stunning at the same time. If you want to just sit and stare at the horizon, this is where you do it.
Cahuita National Park
Cahuita isn’t just a beach, it’s an adventure. You can walk along jungle trails right by the shore and spot monkeys, sloths, and bright green lizards before jumping into the sea. The coral reef here is famous for snorkeling, full of tropical fish and even sea turtles if you’re lucky. It feels wild and alive, like nature hasn’t been tamed. A visit here makes you realize how much Costa Rica protects and celebrates its natural beauty.
Restaurants
Surly spending so much time on the beach and surfing made you hungry by now, so we wanted to share some of the popular options to eat in town.
Selvin
If you looking to try the local cuisine, Selvin (Google Maps) is a popular option. Here you can find regional classics like Rice&Beans and Rondon, which is a seafood soup cooked with coconut milk. Definitely try this one if you end up in this region.
Coffee and Co-Working
De Gustibus Bakery
Since 2014, Gustibus has been serving coffee in Puerto Viejo, famous for their Mochachinos made with a generous spoon of chocolate! The coffee shop has a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, perfect for working or enjoying a break, and offers delicious pastries. Known for their brunches, we highly recommend visiting Gustibus if you’re looking for great coffee, tasty food, and fresh bread.(Google Maps).
Iriria Specialty Coffee House
If you spend your day at Puerto Viejo Iriria also has a beautiful coffee shop in front of the beach in the center. (Google Maps). They offer a variety of specialty coffee preparations, from the classic Chemex to the elegant syphon. If you’re hungry, you can also enjoy a meal at Gigio, located in the same sp—a unique space that combines a restaurant, bakery, lively bar, café, museum, and live music venue all in one.
Como en mi casa - Art Cafe
In front of Playa Chino you will find Como en mi casa, Art Cafe they have their walls covered with paintings from different artists, with locally grown ingredients, they have delicious vegetarian dishes. If you are looking for a place to hang out, and look at the sunset this is your spot. (Google Maps).
Iriria Specialty Coffee House
Iriria also has a beautiful coffee shop in front of the beach in the center of Puerto Viejo. (Google Maps). They offer a variety of specialty coffee preparations, from the classic Chemex to the elegant syphon. If you’re hungry, you can also enjoy a meal at Gigio, located in the same unique space that combines a restaurant, bakery, lively bar and cafe.
