Top 10 Things to Do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Introduction
Puerto Viejo was my main stop on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, and it ended up being a little different than I had planned. I originally booked two nights, but because the buses were full, I had to extend my stay until the next available departure. It wasn't what I expected, but it gave me a few extra days to enjoy a completely different side of Costa Rica before returning to San José.
Compared to the Pacific coast, Puerto Viejo has its own distinct atmosphere. Caribbean music fills the streets, colourful buildings line the town, and life seems to move at a slower pace. While I missed out on a few activities I had been looking forward to, I still found plenty to enjoy during my unexpected extra time there.
1. Walk the Beaches ⭐ Did This
One of the best things I did in Puerto Viejo was simply slow down and enjoy the coastline. After extending my stay, I switched from a guesthouse to a hostel right on the beach, which meant I spent plenty of time walking along the sand. Playa Cocles quickly became one of my favourite beaches in Costa Rica, with its soft sand, swaying palm trees, and beautiful Caribbean water. Sometimes the best travel memories come from having nowhere you need to be.
💡 JD's Tip: Stay within walking distance of the beach if you can. You'll find yourself wandering back throughout the day without even planning to.
Sometimes the best thing to do in Puerto Viejo is simply walk the beach and see where the Caribbean coast takes you.
2. Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center ❌ Missed This
This was the activity I was most excited about before arriving in Puerto Viejo. I even walked nearly an hour to get there, only to discover that every tour for that day and the following day was completely sold out. The Jaguar Rescue Center operates on scheduled guided tours, so you need to reserve your spot ahead of time. It was disappointing to miss, but it's already on my list for my next visit.
💡 JD's Tip: Book your tickets online well in advance. Tours sell out quickly, especially during the busy travel season.
I made it to the Jaguar Rescue Center after nearly an hour of walking… only to discover the tours were sold out for the next two days. Lesson learned: book ahead!
3. Go Monkey Spotting ⭐ Did This
One of my favourite free activities in Puerto Viejo was simply searching for monkeys. I spent far longer than I expected watching them climb through the trees, leap between branches, and interact with one another. Moments like these are one of the reasons I love travelling through Central America—you never know when wildlife is going to appear. Sometimes slowing down is the best way to experience a destination.
💡 JD's Tip: Listen before you look. You'll often hear monkeys moving through the trees before you actually spot them.
There’s a monkey in there somewhere! Half the fun of monkey spotting in Puerto Viejo was staring into the trees until I finally found one.
4. Explore Puerto Viejo Town ⭐ Did This
Puerto Viejo is the kind of town that's best explored without an itinerary. Wander through the colourful streets, browse the souvenir shops, stop for a drink, and enjoy the Caribbean atmosphere. The reggae music, relaxed pace, and friendly locals give the town a personality that's completely different from anywhere else I visited in Costa Rica. It's a place where slowing down feels natural.
💡 JD's Tip: Spend an evening walking around town after the beach. The restaurants and bars really come alive after sunset.
Colourful shops, busy streets, and Caribbean energy — wandering around Puerto Viejo was an experience all on its own.
5. Visit Punta Uva Beach ❌ Missed This
Many travellers consider Punta Uva one of the most beautiful beaches on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Its calm, crystal-clear water makes it perfect for swimming, kayaking, or simply relaxing beneath the palm trees. It's quieter than Puerto Viejo's main beaches and offers a more peaceful escape from town. If I return, this will definitely be near the top of my list.
💡 JD's Tip: Bring snorkeling gear if you have it, as the calm water often offers great visibility.
6. Try Caribbean Cuisine ⭐ Did This
Puerto Viejo has some of the best Caribbean food you'll find anywhere in Costa Rica. Thanks to the region's Afro-Caribbean heritage, you'll find dishes full of coconut, spices, fresh seafood, jerk chicken, and flavorful rice and beans. The food is noticeably different from what you'll find on the Pacific coast, making it well worth trying while you're here. Exploring the local restaurants became one of my favourite parts of my stay.
💡 JD's Tip: Skip the international restaurants for at least one meal and try authentic Caribbean cuisine—you won't regret it.
My final meal in Puerto Viejo: chicken tenders and fries. Very Caribbean of me. 😂 At least I had the beach view!
7. Explore Cahuita National Park ❌ Missed This
Just a short drive from Puerto Viejo, Cahuita National Park is famous for combining rainforest with beautiful Caribbean beaches. The coastal trail offers excellent opportunities to spot monkeys, sloths, raccoons, iguanas, and tropical birds without needing a guide. It looks like one of the best places on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast for wildlife photography. I simply ran out of time before moving on.
💡 JD's Tip: Arrive early in the morning for cooler temperatures and your best chance of spotting wildlife.
8. Rent a Bike Along the Coast ❌ Missed This
Cycling is one of the most popular ways to explore Puerto Viejo and the surrounding beaches. The coastal road is mostly flat, making it easy to ride between Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva, and other nearby attractions. Along the way you'll pass cafés, beaches, and plenty of tropical scenery. It's a relaxed and affordable way to spend a day.
💡 JD's Tip: Rent a bike for the full day instead of just a few hours so you can stop wherever something catches your eye.
9. Go Surfing ❌ Missed This
Puerto Viejo is one of Costa Rica's best-known surf destinations. Playa Cocles is ideal for beginners looking to take lessons, while experienced surfers come from around the world to challenge the famous Salsa Brava break. Even if you don't plan on surfing yourself, it's fun to watch the locals tackle the waves. It's another reason Puerto Viejo has become so popular with backpackers.
💡 JD's Tip: If you've always wanted to learn to surf, Playa Cocles is one of the best places to give it a try.
10. Visit Tortuguero National Park ❌ Missed This
Before arriving in Costa Rica, I seriously considered visiting Tortuguero. Unfortunately, I decided it was just too complicated to fit into my itinerary because of the extra travel time and transportation required. If you have more time than I did, it's one of Costa Rica's most famous wildlife destinations, known for turtle nesting, jungle canals, and incredible biodiversity. It's definitely still on my travel bucket list.
💡 JD's Tip: If Tortuguero is on your itinerary, plan your transportation well in advance since getting there takes more time than many travellers expect.
Final Thoughts
Puerto Viejo turned out to be a memorable stop on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Although I missed the Jaguar Rescue Center and decided that adding Tortuguero would be too much of a hassle, I still loved the relaxed atmosphere, the beautiful beaches, and spending hours watching monkeys in the wild.
One lesson I definitely learned here was to book ahead whenever possible. My bus filled up, forcing me to extend my stay, and the Jaguar Rescue Center tours were completely sold out because I hadn't reserved a time slot. Thankfully, those extra days gave me more time to walk the beach, soak up the Caribbean atmosphere, and experience a side of Costa Rica that felt completely different from the Pacific coast.
Puerto Viejo wasn't the end of my Costa Rica journey—I still had San José left before continuing to Panama—but it was a great final taste of the country's Caribbean side. If you're planning a visit, book your transportation and popular attractions early, then leave some room in your itinerary to slow down and enjoy the unexpected.
Puerto Viejo didn't exactly go according to plan, but extra days drinking on a Caribbean beach weren't the worst travel problem to have.
