The Best Things to Do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

If you’re visiting Puerto Viejo, the essential experiences include calm beaches, jungle wildlife, Bribri culture, kayaking, snorkeling, waterfalls, and authentic Caribbean food.
These highlight what makes the South Caribbean unique: wildlife, culture, calm-water beaches, protected jungle, rich history, and many off-the-beaten-path activities and hidden beaches.

Below is a complete guide created from local expertise, with direct recommendations on how to get the most out of your trip and where our tours naturally fit.

Punta Uva: The Heart of Puerto Viejo’s Beauty

Punta Uva is one of the most stunning beaches in Costa Rica. With turquoise water, soft sand, and lush jungle meeting the sea, it’s perfect for swimming, relaxing, and spotting wildlife.

What Makes Punta Uva Special

• Calm, protected beach perfect for swimming
• Forest filled with sloths, monkeys, and other wildlife
• A sheltered estuary ideal for safe, beginner-friendly kayaking
• Snorkeling opportunities on calm, clear-water days
• Two distinct beaches: Playa Arecife and Playa Punta Uva
• A beautiful viewpoint with panoramic ocean and jungle views
• Quiet, clean, naturally preserved coastline
• Several local restaurants nearby

Recommended Experience

Our Sloth & Kayak Tour takes place directly in Punta Uva and includes the estuary, beach, viewpoint, and high-probability wildlife areas.

Cahuita National Park: Wildlife, Beaches & Coral Reefs

Cahuita National Park is one of the most rewarding and accessible wildlife hikes in Costa Rica. The trail runs along the beach, making it perfect for spotting animals while enjoying ocean views.

What You’ll See

• Howler and white-faced monkeys
• Sloths resting in the canopy
• Iguanas, basilisks, snakes, and tropical birds
• White-sand beaches and shaded rest areas
• One of Costa Rica’s healthiest coral reefs
• Easy trails suitable for all levels

Snorkeling in Cahuita

Snorkeling is only allowed with certified guides to protect the reef.
Best conditions occur from mid-August to mid-November, but snorkeling is possible year-round when seas are calm.

Recommended Experience

Our Cahuita Snorkeling + Wildlife Hike includes:

• Guided reef snorkeling
• A coastal jungle hike
• Sloths, monkeys, iguanas, and more
• Free time to enjoy the beach after the tour

Kayaking in the South Caribbean: Calm Waters & Jungle Scenery

Kayaking is one of the best ways to explore nature around Puerto Viejo.
You can choose from several kayaking locations depending on the experience you want:

• Punta Uva Estuary
• Punta Uva Ocean
• Cocles River Estuary
• Gandoca Lagoon
• Custom trips throughout Talamanca and Bribri territory

What Makes Kayaking Here Memorable

• Calm waters ideal for all levels
• Wildlife including sloths, monkeys, iguanas, basilisks, turtles, and birds
• A mix of jungle, river, lagoon, and ocean environments
• Quiet, uncrowded natural spaces
• Access to remote areas for deeper adventure

Custom Kayak Adventures

We offer personalized routes including ocean paddling (weather permitting), Gandoca Lagoon, Punta Mona, and river trips inside Bribri territory.

Recommended Experience

Our Sloth & Kayak Tour and Clear Kayak Tour are the best starting points for safe, wildlife-focused kayaking.

Waterfalls in the Talamanca Mountains

Just outside Puerto Viejo, the Talamanca mountains offer beautiful jungle waterfalls with different levels of difficulty.

Top Waterfalls

Kekoldi Waterfall
A challenging 10 km hike — ideal for adventure seekers.

Volio Waterfall
Located in Bribri territory and reached with local guides.

Bribri Waterfall
Easy access and a refreshing swim — ideal for families and beginners.

Recommended Experience

Our Cacao + Waterfall Tour includes cacao, medicinal plants, and a refreshing jungle waterfall.

Waterfalls Beyond Talamanca

If you want information on waterfalls in Bajos del Toro, Guápiles, Río Celeste, Uvita, Dominical, or anywhere else in Costa Rica, we can help you plan your adventure.

Bribri Indigenous Cultural Experiences

The Bribri are the original inhabitants of Talamanca. Visiting their territory offers an authentic, community-led cultural experience.

What You’ll Learn

• Traditional cacao
• Medicinal plants
• Daily life and sustainable farming
• Spiritual perspectives
• Traditional bow and arrow
• How palm species are used for building

Recommended Experiences

1. Yorkín Cultural Experience: Bribri Village & Canoe Adventure
Full-day visit to a remote Bribri village reached by dugout canoe.

2. Cultural Canoe Experience: Bribri Traditions & Spirituality
A spiritual and cultural experience focused on worldview and traditions.

3. Cacao + Waterfall Tour (Half-Day)
A shorter cultural experience combined with a jungle waterfall.

The Flavors of the Caribbean

Afro-Caribbean cuisine, Indigenous ingredients, and local traditions make this region one of the best culinary areas in Costa Rica.

Must-Try Dishes

• Rice and Beans with coconut
• Caribbean chicken
• Fresh seafood with coconut sauce
• Pati
• Rondón

Where to Eat

Puerto Viejo: Lidia’s Place, Tamara
Punta Uva: Selvin’s
Manzanillo: Maxi’s
Cahuita: La Peruanita + pati stand

Included Support

After any tour, we can recommend restaurants based on your tastes and location.
You can also WhatsApp us for recommendations on sushi, Italian, pizza, coffee, ice cream, BBQ, or breakfast.

Where to See Sloths in Puerto Viejo

Sloths are abundant in the Caribbean because the coastal jungle is full of high-energy trees like Cecropia, Beach Almond, Sangrillo, and Mangroves.

Best Places for Sloths

• Punta Uva beach
• El Sendero (PV–Cocles path)
• Playa Negra
• Cahuita National Park
• Punta Uva estuary

Recommended Experiences

• Sloth & Kayak Tour
• Puerto Viejo Walking Tour: Sloth Spotting Guaranteed
• Cahuita Snorkeling + Wildlife Hike

Weather in Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo has warm temperatures year-round.
The calmest ocean conditions are from mid-August to mid-November.
Rain is possible any time but usually short.
Daylight stays consistent: 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Plan Your Visit to Puerto Viejo

If you’d like help choosing tours, transportation, or planning your itinerary, contact us anytime.
We’re happy to help you create the perfect Caribbean adventure.