Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
A laid back beach lover’s paradise settled on the shores of the turquoise blue Caribbean Sea– offers adventure, relaxation and exciting nightlife for all.
What was once a small fishing village is now a thriving town with a melting pot of culture and color. The African Caribbean population who arrived here about a century ago, along with the native ticos and expats from all over the world influences the variety of international cuisine, local bars and discos to experience. No matter where you choose to hang out, the ocean will be nearby, including many beachfront establishments.
Puerto Viejo is the perfect central hub for exploring the surrounding area including world-class surfing, national park, countless Caribbean beaches, snorkeling, kayaking, sloths and cultural experiences. It is a great starting point to visit BriBri indigenous community and waterfalls.
There are accommodations to suit every budget in town and nearby ranging from inexpensive hostels to beachside resorts. Easy access to grocery shopping, the bank, pharmacy, private doctor and bus tickets can also be found in the town center. For an afternoon of shopping there are many souvenir shops and locally made arts and crafts vendors along the main road and side streets.
LOCAL CUISINE
Finding meal options for every taste is easy in Puerto Viejo, there are so many great places to eat it may be hard to choose! Trying some authentic caribbean food is a must-do! Lidia’s Place and Tamara are a few of the best.
In addition to local Caribbean and Tipical tico food there are a variety of restaurants offering Italian (including a few great pizza places), Thai/asian fusion, Latin inspired, Breakfast foods, Middle Eastern and more. There are choices for vegetarian/ vegan eaters at most places including a few spots specializing in healthy cuisine.
For coffee lovers there are a few great coffee shops with WiFi, and ice cream/sweet shops for a dessert treat.
NIGHTLIFE
The fun doesn’t stop when the sun goes down. Puerto Viejo is known for its around the clock fun. The local bars offer live music, beachfront drinks, and dancing every night of the week. It is a good idea to ask your hotel or hostel where the party is at on any given evening– sometimes you will have to wait till late-night for the dancing to really start. Reggae and latin-dance music are the mainstays of the parties, and local bands are featured often, especially on the weekends.
