Puerto Viejo

Located on the southeastern coast of Costa Rica, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a town characterized by its cultural heritage, natural beauty, and opportunities for adventure. Known just to the residents as Puerto Viejo, this hamlet in the Limón Province boasts a rich past that reflects the several influences forming its character.

Originally known as Old Harbour, the town changed when the Costa Rican government mandated Spanish as the official tongue. With Old Harbour renamed Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, this transformation resulted in renaming of several towns and sites. Fields became Bri Bri and Bluff changed became Cahuita as part of a larger movement embracing Spanish and Native American names. Another Puerto Viejo in northern Costa Rica, known as Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí, should be noted as occasionally confusing for tourists. To further confuse things, buses leaving San José to either site show the same destination, “Puerto Viejo.”

Popular tourist attraction Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is well-known especially among surfers. Popular for Salsa Brava, the largest and most strong wave in Costa Rica, the town draws surfers from all around. Puerto Viejo features three of the most breathtaking beaches in the nation outside of the waves: Punta Uva, Playa Chiquita, and Playa Negra. Perfect for leisure and discovery, these beaches—which span Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo—have immaculate sands and glistening clean waves. Popular for kayaking, Manzanillo, 13 kilometers south along the shore, gives guests an opportunity to enjoy the natural beauty of the area from the sea.

The Jaguar Rescue Centre next to Puerto Viejo is absolutely must-visited for everyone interested in the protection of animals. Offering a window into the efforts to protect Costa Rica’s unique biodiversity, this clinic is absolutely vital in helping wounded and orphaned animals. It’s a learning and motivating experience for visitors to discover the activities of the center and maybe view some of the animals up close.

Those driving to the Panamanian border at Sixaola also find Puerto Viejo to be a handy halt. Those traveling to and from the gorgeous Panama archipelago, Bocas del Toro, love this border crossing. Puerto Viejo is the best base for seeing the area as it offers the nearest lodging, dining, and businesses near the border. A portal to more experiences, the little border villages of Sixaola in Costa Rica and Guabito in Panama are just 49 kilometers south of Puerto Viejo.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a mingling pot of people and cultures. Along with a varied assortment of European expats who have decided to call this energetic town home, its citizens, known as ticos, include a sizable number of Costa Ricans of Jamaican background. The town’s active music, gastronomy, and arts scene reflects this cultural variety and provides a special mix of inspirations enhancing the local experience.

Beyond the busy hub of the town, the indigenous Bribri people live in the surrounding mountains. Offering guests an opportunity to learn about their culture and history, this indigenous group has kept its customs and way of life. The Bribri people are renowned for their strong ties to the ground and their attempts to save the natural riches of their area.

With the howler monkey among the most famous residents of Puerto Viejo, nature buffs will discover paradise for animals here. Often heard booming over the woodlands, these monkeys—known for their unique calls—add to the appeal of the location. The many avian species that call the area home will also thrill birdwatchers, therefore transforming the area into a paradise for those ready to see nature in its most unspoiled form.