Location and Information about Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Location of Puerto Viejo and Playa Chiquita
Puerto Viejo is the center of activity located between the smaller south Caribbean towns of Cahuita and Manzanillo, each of which has wildlife reserves to explore. The southern zone has beautiful and distinct beaches that stretch for 30 kilometers along the coast bordered by rich jungle. The jungle reaches right down to the beach in most places, giving the beaches a natural exotic feel. The jungle hosts an amazing abundance of tropical wildlife, majestic trees and exotic flowers.
South of Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva all have their own small towns with several restaurants, hotels and cabinas and mini grocery stores.
Welcome to our “Pura Vida”, the Costa Rican saying, which translates to Pure Life, a lifestyle and “tranquilo” spirit that will steal a place in your heart forever.
Getting Around Puerto Viejo
Bikes and scooters are rented by hotels and shops in Puerto Viejo. There is a bus that runs infrequently from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo and points in between.
A little about Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a small but lively town on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Puerto Viejo offers excellent restaurants, eclectic shops, surf and scuba diving schools, adventure travel groups, and exciting night life. The vibe of town has remained down to earth and laid-back, its Caribbean-style with a great diversity of people.
Formerly a small fishing village, Puerto Viejo has grown rapidly in recent years. Avid surfers, drawn to the famous Salsa Brava waves, have made Puerto Viejo a hotspot on the surfing circuit, Surf Report. Alternately, in the months when the ocean is calm Puerto Viejo also hosts a scuba diving scene. Bikes, pedestrians, and scooters dominate the traffic through town.
Influenced by Afro Caribbean cultures, indigenous Costa Ricans, Spanish and Europeans, and many other nationalities (more than 40), Puerto Viejo has a unique feel. Friendly locals wave as you drive by and tourists from around the world all mingle to create a friendly and fun atmosphere.