One of the first thing you’ll notice in Puerto Viejo is the beach and, I’m not going to lie, it’s not the stunning – certainly not compared to many of the other beaches in Costa Rica. You will see dedicated beach goers lazing on the small swatch of partially rocky sand. Your better bet is to rent a car or bike (or take the bus) along the coast line. Some of the nearby beaches to check out are:
It’s very likely that, like me, you’ll fall in love with this little slice of Caribbean paradise.
In just four hours you can be out of Puerto Viejo, across the Panama border, on a small boat and landed on the island of Bocas del Torro. While I wouldn’t recommend it for a day trip, if you want to explore a bit beyond Costa Rica or if you’re on a longer trip, Puerto Viejo and Bocas del Torro go hand in hand on any Central American itinerary. If you’re beach hopping, it’s ideal.
1. Go beach hopping
In this guide I’ll give you the highlights of the best things to do in Puerto Viejo. You might also like my guide to the best things to do in Cahuita, including how to get there from Puerto Viejo.
- Playa Arecife
- Playa Chiquita
- Playa Cocles
- Playa Grande
- Playa Manzanillo
- Playa Negra
- Playa Punta Uva
Another thing Puerto Viejo is not short on is cafes. Having been on various coffee and chocolate plantation tours on my travels, these days I’m just as happy to swing by a good cafe and get straight down to the business of tasting. And I did a lot of tasting in Puerto Viejo. Here are my favourite cafes:
2. Surf the salsa brava (if you dare)
The good news is with so many different types of beach (white sand, black sand, good for surfing, good for kayaking etc), you can pick the kind of beach you want. This is definitely one of the best things to do in Puerto Viejo.
3. Take surf lessons
4. Visit the Jaguar rescue centre
Wondering what to do in Puerto Viejo at night? Upscale cafes and restaurants might be edging their way into Puerto Viejo but the Reggae vibe holds strong. If this is the reason you’re in Puerto Viejo, to cut loose and party all night long, there are plenty of bars to help you do just that.
5. Party with the Reggage crowd
- Johnny’s Place
- Salsa Brava Rasta Bar
- The Lazy Mon
- Hot Rocks
I’m not much of a shopper, unless we’re talking food, but the shops and stalls in Puerto Viejo were just too cute and crammed with artisanal crafts that even I couldn’t resist. My tip would be don’t buy everything you need before your trip, especially things like beach sarongs and dresses – leave space for a few extra purchases.
6. Cross the border in Bocas del Torro in Panama
There are lots of sloth related things to shop for but thought you’d prefer a picture of a puddle of sloths
What is Bocas del Torro? Collectively it’s an archipelago of islands off the coast of Panama. It is also the name of one of the main islands within the archipelago – you can explore further from there (Isla Bastimentos is one of my favourites), or you can stay put and experience a slice of Panamanian Caribbean paradise.
A coastal park that is packed with wildlife, wild beach of the black sand and white sand variety, visiting Cahuita National Park should be on your list of things to do when you’re in Puerto Viejo. Even better, why not stay overnight? Cahuita is arguably what Puerto Viejo was like 10 years ago (I should know, I visited Puerto Viejo back then). And is perfect if you’re looking for a laid back small-town Costa Rican vibe. You can read my guide to Cahuita and how to get there.
7. Shop at the artisanal markets
I’ve been on a surf board precisely once (in Costa Rica) so I’m hardly an expert but you don’t need to be to know that the reefbreak in this part of Costa Rica is legendary. Called salsa brava to describe the torn up flesh you’re facing if you topple off your board on these waves, the salsa brava surf is definitely for the experienced surfer only. If that’s you, you’re definitely going to want to grab a board and head out – for surfers this is one of the top activities in Puerto Viejo. If that’s not you, it’s a great spectator sport. You can find out more about the salsa brava and the best surf spots here.
So, that’s my guide to things to do in Puerto Viejo. If you’ve got any questions or suggestions, let me know in the comments below.
8. Eat in the local sodas
This was by far one of the best things I did in Costa Rica, let alone Puerto Viejo. The Jaguar rescue centre is a place where rescued animals are rehabilitated before returning to the wild. You can take a half day tour of the centre where you’ll get to see sloths (adults and babies), monkeys, reptiles, spiders, exotic birds and other animals. Be aware – there are no jaguars at the centre but that doesn’t make the experience any less wonderful.
- Tamara – a great soda I simply liked the look of and wasn’t disappointed.
- Soda Mirna – I had a wonderful local plate of shrimp, rice and salad.
- Soda Tayito – another good local eatery.
- Soda Lidia – to be honest, I went because this place got rave reviews. Personally, I didn’t think it was as good as some of the other places I ate and the reviews have pushed the prices up. But still, decent food.
9. Taste Costa Rican coffee and chocolate
Puerto Viejo is changing fast but it’s lovely to see the sodas (local restaurants) still doing a roaring trade. It’s no surprise – the protein (meat or fish), rice, bean, plantain, salad combo is simple, budget friendly and usually the best food you can get. There’s a lot of fish and seafood to be had in this coastal spot (no surprise). There are veggie options also available – the same plate but with a nice serving of veggies instead of the protein. Here are some of my favourite sodas which I tried:
- De Gustibus Bakery – my favourite of all the many cafes I tried.
- Bread & Chocolate – excellent cakes and coffee.
- Deelite – great for acai bowls and ice creams.
10. Day trip to Cahuita National Park
Otherwise, just turn your ear to the air and follow the music.
11. Sleep in Puerto Viejo
Here are some of the most popular bars to check out:
Rockin J’s – this is the hostel I stayed at during my first visit to Puerto Viejo over 10 years ago and it’s not changed much. If you’re backpacking and want the ‘original’ Puerto Viejo vibe, stay in one of the hammocks here. There are tents and dorms also available. Be warned, it’s a bit of a party place and can be a bit…grungy…but there are lots of lovely free-spirited folk to have a deep and meaningful with.
Not an expert surfer but want to be? (Or at least want to give it a go), you’re in one of the best spots in the world to take surf lessons. You can either find something online or, for a lower price, find a local surf instructor when you turn up – there are plenty of leaflets up in cafes and bars advertising classes. And don’t worry, there are plenty of gentler surf spots good for beginners so you don’t need to lose the skin of your shin.
If you’re looking for alternative hotels, rentals and rooms in Puerto Viejo, you can find them on Booking.com here.
Visiting more recently, there was definitely more development, more traffic and fewer sloths but as a tourist destination, Puerto Viejo has grown up, acquired a sophisticated side, and somehow this seems to rub up reasonably nicely against the small fishing village’s original hippy, reggae side.
