Puerto Viejo in the Limón Province of Costa Rica is one of the most popular tourist destinations, largely due to its beauty, proximity to wildlife, good food, and laid-back vibes. Puerto Viejo is also well known for its beaches in the area which are perfect for relaxing, swimming, surfing, snorkeling, or finding wildlife.
I absolutely love the energy in Puerto Viejo and the landscapes of beaches mixed with lush jungles full of animals and exotic birds. Here are some of the best beaches in Puerto Viejo to visit on your vacation to Costa Rica!
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Beaches in Puerto Viejo Leaderboard
Here’s a quick overview of my favorite beaches in Puerto Viejo. Complete details below!
| Best for Swimming: | Playa Punta Uva |
| Most Scenic: | Playa Negra |
| Wildlife Spottings: | Playa Manzanillo |
| Most Amenities | Playa Puerto Viejo |
| Best for Snorkeling: | Playa Blanca in Cahuita National Park |
Best Beaches in Puerto Viejo
Pack you suit, sandals, and sunscreen, and get ready for an epic day of beach-hopping around Puerto Viejo! Let’s dive in!
1. Playa Punta Uva
- Best for: A day of relaxing and swimming
- Amenities: Nearby beachfront restaurants and bars are your best bet for eating and using the restroom (check out La Sirena or El Refugio Grill)
Playa Punta Uva (or Punta Uva Beach in English) is one of the most beautiful beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, known for its clear turquoise waters, white sand, and surrounding lush jungle with wildlife like turtles, sloths, toucans, and monkeys.
Be mindful that depending on the time of year, the rainy season may experience higher winds (between September and November especially). So, if the water doesn’t seem calm, take caution with activities like swimming, kayaking, and snorkeling the coral reef or only go with a trained guide.
Punta Uva is about a 15-minute drive south on Route 256 from Puerto Viejo. If you rent a car there are several spots for parking near the beach which are free, but get there early because they fill up fast!
Biking is a popular option and in Puerto Viejo, you’ll find several bike rental shops (for example, Puerto Viejo Bike Rentals or Manú Bikes).
If you want to take the bus, catch the bus from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo and it stops close to Punta Uva. Find the Puerto Viejo bus station on Google Maps and go there directly to ask about schedules.
The beach is public and there is no admission fee required to access the beach.
2. Playa Negra (Black Sand Beach)
- Best for: Relaxing, walking, photo ops (not a great beach for swimming due to the rough waves)
- Amenities: None but very close to the town of Puerto Viejo where you can find shops and restaurants
The black sand beach, or Playa Negra, is one of my favorite spots in all of Puerto Viejo. Costa Rica is a country full of volcanoes and Playa Negra is a striking black color due to a history of volcanic activity.
Unlike the beaches to the South, this beach is usually less crowded and a wonderful place to relax or dip your toes in the water. I don’t recommend swimming here because the waves are usually pretty rough.
Another bonus is that this beach is free to access and within walking distance of the town of Puerto Viejo. If you rent a car, the beach is a short 5-minute drive north of Puerto Viejo, but walking is likely easier due to there being no formal parking area.
3. Playa Manzanillo
- Best for: Viewing wildlife and hiking
- Amenities: Local restaurants close by offer food, drinks, snacks, and restrooms
Playa Manzanillo is a pristine white sand beach surrounded by lush tropical forest, part of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. Many national parks in Costa Rica charge an entrance fee, but Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is totally donation-based (it’s recommended you donate at least $5 USD).
Going with a guide will offer your best chance of seeing some of the sloths, monkeys, birds, or reptiles that live in the protected area. This tour offers a combination of hiking and time at the beach relaxing or swimming.
To get to Playa Manzanillo you can drive, or take a taxi, or there is also a public bus from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo that takes approximately 30 minutes. Visit the bus station in downtown Puerto Viejo to inquire about schedules (know that speaking some Spanish is a must for this option).
4. Playa Puerto Viejo (or Playa Salsa Brava)
- Best for: Proximity to town, popular among experienced surfers
- Amenities: Numerous restaurants, bars, shops, and accommodations close by
Playa Puerto Viejo, also known as Playa Salsa Brava is popular for its vibrant atmosphere close to town. If you’re staying in town, the beach is within easy walking distance from most accommodations in Puerto Viejo, but if you’re driving into town you can also easily access the beach by car and find street parking available.
While in town, you should try the famous Caribbean dish of rice and beans at Restaurante Lidia’s Place, or Restaurante Riquisimo if you’re on a tighter budget. I also recommend walking around town and soaking up the vibes. There are plenty of vendors that will sell you fresh fruit or coconuts as a snack!
5. Playa Blanca (Cahuita National Park)
- Best for: Snorkeling, spotting wildlife
- Amenities: Picnic area, restrooms, restaurants in the town of Cahuita close by
Known for its stunning white sand beach, clear waters, and coral reefs, Playa Blanca in Cahuita National Park is popular for swimming, snorkeling, and relaxing. There are also lots of opportunities for spotting wildlife – when I visited, we actually saw a momma sloth and her baby in the almond trees by the shore!
Entry to Cahuita National Park is donation-based, but it’s strongly recommended to donate at least $5 which goes to maintaining the park and its surrounding environment.
Cahuita is approximately 30 minutes north of Puerto Viejo by car and you can find parking near the entrance to the park. There are also public buses that run regularly from Puerto Viejo to Cahuita, simply inquire at the bus station to find out the schedule and ticket fares (be prepared to talk in Spanish if you go this route!).
Map of Puerto Viejo Beaches
Here’s a handy dandy map of my favorite Puerto Viejo beaches! Sometimes it’s easier to plan your next adventure from a birds-eye-view!
Other Things to Do Near Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is an amazing place to visit, not only for its beaches, but also for its agriculture, wildlife, and cultural activities.
- Waterfall Hike – Take a morning and hike to Bribri Waterfall about a 10-minute drive outside of Puerto Viejo, which has beautiful natural pools great for swimming. It’s a good idea to go with a guide for safety reasons and because it can be difficult to find the waterfall without one.
- Visit the Indigenous Bribri Community – The Bribri Indigenous community allows for guided visits where you may learn about medicinal plants, traditional cacao farming and processing, and their culture.
- Chocolate Tour – Just outside of Puerto Viejo is the Caribeans Chocolate & Coffee Tour where you’ll learn about the history of cacao in Costa Rica, how chocolate is made from bean to bar, and taste chocolate.
- Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center – The Jaguar Rescue Center is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center close to Puerto Viejo where they work to rehabilitate animals like sloths, monkeys, and wild cats, and release them back into the wild.
- Take a detour to Bocas del Toro, Panama – This very popular destination in Panama is only a few hours drive from Puerto Viejo, and it’s popular for its amazing beaches, snorkeling and diving, and opportunities for dolphin watching and swimming.
Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo
There are so many amazing places to stay in Puerto Viejo depending on your budget. Here are some different options for various price ranges.
- Budget: If you’re a budget or backpack traveler you’ll likely be looking for a hostel with a fun, relaxed vibe like Rocking J’s! It has a shared kitchen and access to free Wi-Fi, making it the perfect place for digital nomads passing through. ($10-30/night)
- Midrange: Hotel Banana Azul is a boutique hotel that is right on the beach and is best for travelers looking for mid-range priced accommodations with amenities like a pool, spa services, and direct beach access. ($100-150/night)
- Luxury: For a more luxury option, you’ll find Le Caméléon on the gorgeous Playa Cocles with access to their beach club, fine dining restaurant, and daily yoga classes. ($200-300/night)
Tips for Visiting Puerto Viejo
Overall, when you visit Puerto Viejo be prepared to enjoy the mix of beach, jungle, and a laid-back Caribbean community. Here are some of my last-minute tips for what to expect when visiting Puerto Viejo.
- Pack for tropical weather. The climate is hot and humid with the occasional rain so definitely bring lightweight clothing, a rain jacket, and quick-dry clothes.
- Try biking or walking. The landscapes are fairly flat, unlike other areas of Costa Rica (the mountainous Monteverde, for example). Biking is super popular in Puerto Viejo as a means for transportation. Look into renting a bike while you’re here to see the town from a different lens!
- Be careful swimming. Puerto Viejo is a great place for experienced surfers and swimmers but many beaches have strong currents and rip tides. Always check local conditions and swim only in designated safe areas.
- Respect the wildlife. There are a ton of wild animals in the Puerto Viejo area but remember to always observe from a distance and never feed wildlife.
- Try the local dishes. Costa Rican Caribbean-style dishes you need to try when visiting Puerto Viejo include rice and beans, a coconut-based stew called rondon, and patacones, or fried plantains.
- Stay safe. Like anywhere else take precautions as a tourist to stay safe from petty crime, which does happen. Don’t leave your belongings unattended or visible in your car, stick to well-lit areas, and don’t walk alone in secluded places.
Other Puerto Viejo Guides:
Here are more helpful guides to aid in planning your bucket list Costa Rica vacation!
- Caribeans Chocolate Tour
- Getting to Puerto Viejo from San Jose
- Guide to Visiting Costa Rica for First-timers
- Renting a Car in Costa Rica
- Costa Rica Budget Tips
- Costa Rica Packing List
Lindsay Gantz lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica with her husband who is Costa Rican. She helps visitors plan trips to Costa Rica and also organizes small group trips for solo female travelers. You can reach her on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
