If you like surfing and reggae, you need to know Puerto Viejo, in Costa Rica. The city, located in the province of Limón. Just over four hours from the capital , San José, it is one of the many examples of the beauty that Costa Rica has to offer to all its visitors.
What can you see in Puerto Viejo?
This seaside resort has great Jamaican influence , with dreadlocks scattered around the streets and lots of reggae at seaside parties. Charming, the place keeps the simplicity of a coastal town, with dirt streets, bars and typical Caribbean restaurants.
In addition, the town is surrounded by native forest that, together with the beaches of the region, makes up a paradisiacal landscape , where you will feel in a more natural state. In Puerto Viejo there are two beaches with easy access on foot ; one of them is the most suitable for surfers, since the sea is more rough and there are many stones around it; while the second has a greater range of sand and has a calm sea, making it suitable for swimming and sunbathing. The color of the sand stands out, in dark tones quite close to black.
But it is in the surroundings of Puerto Viejo that there are the best known beaches with impressive beauty, such as Cocles and Punta Uva. Playa Blanca is the great highlight of the region, with a beautiful view, located in the Cahuita National Park, about thirty minutes from the town, with clear sands and an endless blue sea. To get to know it, you just have to take one of the many trails in the park, well signposted and without great difficulty, where you can listen to howler monkeys and enjoy the native forest.
For its part, Manzanillo is located 13 kilometers from Puerto Viejo, and is an excellent alternative to visit near Puerto Viejo. Ideal for those who want to take a day off, away from the noise of the town; This beach has clear sand and a unique calm; in short, a landscape that goes hand in hand with the crystalline sea.
Recommendations on your visit to Puerto Viejo
The beaches of the region, in addition to surfing, allow snorkeling and diving. However, to dive, it is necessary to be accompanied by guides. The small coral reef is home to around 400 species of fish, as well as dolphins and even sharks; one of the best places in the country to observe its marine wealth .
To circulate through the Old Port, the ideal is to take a mountain bike . During the day, be sure to visit the restaurants, also with Jamaican influence, that offer dishes like the traditional Rondón soup – with cassava, coconut milk, shrimp and other regional ingredients.
Puerto Viejo is not on the circuit of the big resorts and famous brands. Therefore, it is a suitable place for those who are willing to exchange luxuries for simple comfort and an essentially Costa Rican climate .
Suggestion
Puerto Viejo only has one ATM, which often works poorly. To avoid running out of money , it is better to plan your expenses in advance, already with the value in local currency.
