Limon Province, Caribbean coast · Costa Rica
A laid-back Caribbean coast of reggae, Afro-Caribbean culture, coral reefs and jungle beaches.
Photo: Jan Helebrant · CC0
Costa Rica's Caribbean coast has a different rhythm from the Pacific side. Afro-Caribbean culture, reggae, coconut-scented cooking and a relaxed pace define the area around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita, where rainforest runs to the beach.
Cahuita National Park has a coral reef, a long beach and a forest trail where sloths, monkeys and raccoons are easily seen. South of Puerto Viejo, a road leads past Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva, with beautiful stretches of sand. Surfers head for Salsa Brava, one of the country's most powerful waves.
There are also chocolate farm tours, a wildlife rescue centre, and indigenous Bribri cultural visits. The area is easy to explore by bike, and has a bohemian, budget-friendly feel. Rain is possible any time of year, but the dry spells fall at different times from the Pacific side.
Why visit
This coast is for slow, culture-rich travel.
Food, music and language.
Sloths, monkeys and more.
Quiet and beautiful.
Salsa Brava.
Bribri visits.
Main attractions
The coast has beaches, parks and cultural stops.
A coral reef and forest trail.
Tip Entrance by donation.
A beautiful beach south of town.
Tip Calm swimming.
A surf beach.
Tip Strong currents.
A famous surf break.
Tip For experienced surfers.
A wildlife rescue and rehab centre.
Tip Book a tour.
Quiet coast and kayaking.
Tip Take a tour.
Things to do
Easy-going days.
From Puerto Viejo to Punta Uva.
Tip Rent bikes in town.
Coral reef.
Tip Tour only.
Bean to bar.
Tip Taste.
Cocles and Salsa Brava.
Tip Check conditions.
Wildlife spotting.
Tip Go early.
In town.
Tip Evening.
Local food
Caribbean cooking.
Coconut milk.
Where to try it Local restaurants.
Seafood stew.
Where to try it Village eateries.
Spiced pastry.
Where to try it Bakeries.
Spiced bread.
Where to try it Bakeries.
Grilled lobster.
Where to try it Beachfront.
Accommodation
Choose the town or the beach.
Transport
The coast is reached by road.
Bikes and buses.
When to go
Unlike the Pacific, the Caribbean side has dry spells in September and October and February to April.
Drier.
Calm and dry.
Mixed.
Wetter.
Worth planning around: December and January, when rains can be heavy.
Itinerary
Beach, park and culture.
Puerto Viejo
Park
Chocolate
Travel tips
Tips.
FAQ
Yes with care.
Three to four days.
February to April.
Yes at calm beaches.
Less than the Pacific.
Yes, Caribbean.
Keep exploring
Places that pair well with Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, whether you have a few spare days or are building a longer route.
Limon Province, northern Caribbean coast, Costa Rica
A remote Caribbean national park of rainforest canals, turtle nesting beaches, caimans, monkeys and birdlife.
Don't miss Watching a green turtle haul itself ashore to nest at night.
Explore Destination — TortugueroSan Jose Province, Central Valley, Costa Rica
Costa Rica's capital and transport hub, with the National Theatre, gold museum, central market and day trips to volcanoes and coffee farms.
Don't miss Sipping coffee at a market, then visiting the gold museum under the National Theatre's dome.
Explore Destination — San JosePuntarenas Province, southern Pacific coast, Costa Rica
A remote peninsula holding Corcovado National Park, one of the last large tracts of Pacific lowland rainforest, with Drake Bay and Puerto Jimenez as bases.
Don't miss Walking at dawn on a remote beach with scarlet macaws overhead.
Explore Destination — Corcovado and the Osa PeninsulaRead next
Food
Eating well abroad is mostly a matter of knowing when meals happen, how the menu is structured and which dish belongs to the place you are standing in. This covers all three for the five countries in this guide, plus the signals that separate a restaurant that feeds locals from one that feeds coaches.
Practical
Most packing advice is a list of things. This is the opposite: the small number of decisions that determine whether your luggage helps or hinders, organised by the kind of trip you are actually taking.
Advertisement
.jpg){kind=link}