Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (also known as Puerto Viejo de Limón)
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a colorful fishing village on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. It's home to the Bribrí and Cabécar Indians, many Jamaicans and descendants of Spanish settlers. The village center is very lively, especially in high season. There are plenty of restaurants where you can indulge in local food, as well as several bars with a lounge atmosphere where you can order a beer or cocktail while listening to Calypso or Reggae music, and sometimes even catch a concert by a local band. Puerto Viejo stretches along heavenly beaches such as the black-sanded Playa Negra to the north and Punta Uva to the south. These palm-fringed beaches are practically deserted in low season, and if you wish, you can rent a bicycle in the village center to visit several of them in a single day. In the early evening, craft vendors set up along the main road. If you'd like to buy a souvenir, they sell beautiful handmade jewelry.
Puerto Viejo is also a 30-minute drive from Cahuita National Park. You can drive there in your rental car, or take the local bus that runs between the two villages every day. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you'll be asked to make a donation of your choice at the entrance. Well-marked paths lead to beautiful beaches where swimming is sometimes permitted. You can even go snorkeling to admire the impressive underwater life thanks to the presence of a large coral reef. As for land life, it's just as incredible, with monkeys, raccoons, toucans and reptiles such as iguanas, lizards and sometimes even snakes.
Finally, another Costa Rican must-see: the Bribrí indigenous reserve, just twenty minutes from Puerto Viejo. Several tours are offered within the reserve, including ones on the theme of chocolate, which the Bribrí consider a sacred plant. They use it in rituals and for its medicinal properties. The inhabitants of the reserve will show you step-by-step the entire process involved in making a chocolate bar, from the harvesting of the cocoa. At the end of the tour, there's a small store where you can take these local products home with you.
PUERTO VIEJO COMMUNITY
The village of Puerto Viejo, like that of Cahuita, boasts a number of facilities that make for a pleasant visit. Excellent restaurants serving national and international cuisine await visitors, who can also enjoy traditional Costa Rican music and Caribbean dance in the evening.
SOUTH CARIBBEAN FESTIVAL
During the first two weeks of April, a number of the country's musical groups give concerts in Playa Chiquita, taking advantage of the influx of tourists and the dry season. Here you can listen to the famous Caribbean music of Calypso.
The Limon Carnival
Carnaval de limon, wikipedia commons
What could be better than a carnival to enjoy the delights of the Caribbean?
Masquerade costume, dancing, music, a parade and smiles on everyone's lips. A festive atmosphere that's sure to lift spirits.
Considered in turn as a rite of passage from darkness to light, from winter to summer, as well as a celebration of fertility, carnivals have been part of folklore for centuries. And while their origins may be debatable, their ability to stir up crowds and leave lasting memories is not.
The one in Puerto Viejo de Limon in Costa Rica is no exception.
Puerto Limon is multicultural, rich in color and folklore! This is where the carnival takes place in October.
The date of October 12 is always the high point of the celebrations. Day of the Cultures.
The entire population of Limon takes part in the festivities. Tourists from home and abroad are always welcome! It's a truly popular festival, where the various communities redouble their efforts to create colorful costumes and choreographies for their processions to the sound of bandas (accompanying music groups) and cardboard giants representing local and international personalities.
Limon's Chinese community, for example, will be performing their dragon dance, while the Afro-Caribbean community, the majority in the region, will be decked out in masks and colorful clothes, dancing to the sound of Calypso!
Throughout the day, traditional dances (including Brazilian Zumba) and songs in Creole give rhythm to the city streets.
It's an invitation to a complete change of scenery, not only for foreigners, but also for Costa Ricans, who can discover the importance of Afro-Caribbean culture in this region and experience a party that's unique in Costa Rica.
The beaches of Puerto Viejo
PLAYA NEGRA (PUERTO VIEJO)
From the village of Puerto Viejo to its northern opening, Playa Negra is characterized by entirely black sand due to its high manganese content. The beach forms a curved line, battered by relatively strong waves. Its vegetation is sparse, as the main street runs right behind it. The area is ideal for sunbathing and walking, which can be extended to the north-western part where the Río Carbón begins.
PUERTO VIEJO BEACHES
Situated on a headland (or cape) mainly made up of coral platforms, many of these spots are not suitable for swimming. However, other areas covered with white and brown sand await the bather. These places are named after a well-known person or agency. For example, the beach opposite the Manuel León police station is known as Playa del Chino (Chinese Beach), while the other, opposite Sandford's restaurant, bears its namesake.
Both are small, but very popular with bathers. To the south, at Punta Pirripli, the famous Salsa Brava wave is very popular with surfers. International competitions are held here. Opposite the beaches, professional scuba divers organize tours of the reef.
YORQUÍN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Yorquín or Yorkín, depending on the spelling, is the name of a river that rises in La Amistad International Park, but on the Panamanian side. Travelling upstream, you reach the indigenous community of Yorquín, where a number of facilities offer visitors a unique experience that combines the beauty of the river with the knowledge and integration of this exemplary community. The community grows its own food and trades bananas and cocoa for other products. The community serves as a starting point for visits to hot springs, waterfalls and other sites, including Cerro Buena Vista. In Yorquín, buying local handicrafts is a great souvenir of your trip.
COCLES BEACH
This long, wide beach, battered by moderate to strong waves, overlooks a beautiful rocky islet of the same name to the north, opposite the point of Pirriplí, giving this island-less coastline its own special character. The area is ideal for sunbathers, swimmers, hikers, horseback riders, beach volleyball players, beach soccer players and more. Punta Cocles boasts a small coral reef. Surfboards and bicycles are available for hire all along the beach. In Puerto Viejo, horse and motorcycle rentals are available for exploring the beach or those further south.
CHIQUITA BEACH
Located just beyond Punta Cocles, this yellow-sand beach forms a small cove that gives it its name. Beyond this, an irregular coastline bordered by rocky platforms gives way, some two kilometers to the south, to a magnificent rocky promontory emerging from the waters, completely covered by exuberant tropical vegetation. At this point, the coast forms a corner of serene, crystal-clear water. This marvellous stretch of coastline is ideal for resting and contemplating nature's pristine beauty. It's also a great place for walking and horse-riding.
PUNTA UVA
Punta Uva is a large sandy spur that extends northwest to the promontory at the tip of Playa Chiquita. To the south, the coast curves down to Manzanillo. The headland is bordered by a coral reef that can be explored by diving. The peculiar shape of the coast is ideal for walks to the beaches of Chiquita and Manzanillo.
MANZANILLO BEACH
This yellow-sand beach stretches some 3,500 metres north from the village of Manzanillo to Punta Uva. The violence of the waves varies from moderate to strong. With its irregular curve, the beach is fringed by abundant vegetation dominated by a horde of palm trees. It's a must for anyone who loves walking, horse-riding, sunbathing, swimming or scuba diving, especially in the areas opposite the village and close to Punta Manzanillo. The road linking all the beaches south of Puerto Viejo, a dozen kilometers away, ends at the village of Manzanillo. Manzanillo offers a wide range of services, from scuba-diving equipment rental to dolphin-watching and diving excursions.
GANDOCA-MANZANILLO WILDLIFE REFUGE
This beautiful refuge occupies an area of 9449 hectares (4436 hectares marine and 5013 hectares terrestrial). Its coastal limits extend from the mouth of the Río Cocles, near Puerto Viejo, to the mouth of the Sixaola River, the border river with Panama. The Manzanillo mountains have a maximum altitude of 185 metres above sea level. The refuge is equipped with trails and lookouts.
Caution: "intermediate" level, muddy paths, paths covered with vegetation at certain times of the year and slippery ground.
Puerto Viejo is also a 30-minute drive from Cahuita National Park. You can drive there in your rental car, or take the local bus that runs between the two villages every day. The park is open from 6 a.m. to 5 p.m., and you'll be asked to make a donation of your choice at the entrance. Well-marked paths lead to beautiful beaches where swimming is sometimes permitted. You can even go snorkeling to admire the impressive underwater life thanks to the presence of a large coral reef. As for land life, it's just as incredible, with monkeys, raccoons, toucans and reptiles such as iguanas, lizards and sometimes even snakes.
Finally, another Costa Rican must-see: the Bribrí indigenous reserve, just twenty minutes from Puerto Viejo. Several tours are offered within the reserve, including ones on the theme of chocolate, which the Bribrí consider a sacred plant. They use it in rituals and for its medicinal properties. The inhabitants of the reserve will show you step-by-step the entire process involved in making a chocolate bar, from the harvesting of the cocoa. At the end of the tour, there's a small store where you can take these local products home with you.
PUERTO VIEJO COMMUNITY
The village of Puerto Viejo, like that of Cahuita, boasts a number of facilities that make for a pleasant visit. Excellent restaurants serving national and international cuisine await visitors, who can also enjoy traditional Costa Rican music and Caribbean dance in the evening.
PLAYA NEGRA (PUERTO VIEJO)
From the village of Puerto Viejo to its northern opening, Playa Negra is characterized by entirely black sand due to its high manganese content. The beach forms a curved line, battered by relatively strong waves. Its vegetation is sparse, as the main street runs right behind it. The area is ideal for sunbathing and walking, which can be extended to the north-western part where the Río Carbón begins.
PUERTO VIEJO BEACHES
Situated on a headland (or cape) mainly made up of coral platforms, many of these spots are not suitable for swimming. However, other areas covered with white and brown sand await the bather. These places are named after a well-known person or agency. For example, the beach opposite the Manuel León police station is known as Playa del Chino (Chinese Beach), while the other, opposite Sandford's restaurant, bears its namesake.
Both are small, but very popular with bathers. To the south, at Punta Pirripli, the famous Salsa Brava wave is very popular with surfers. International competitions are held here. Opposite the beaches, professional scuba divers organize tours of the reef.
YORQUÍN INDIGENOUS COMMUNITY
Yorquín or Yorkín, depending on the spelling, is the name of a river that rises in La Amistad International Park, but on the Panamanian side. Travelling upstream, you reach the indigenous community of Yorquín, where a number of facilities offer visitors a unique experience that combines the beauty of the river with the knowledge and integration of this exemplary community. The community grows its own food and trades bananas and cocoa for other products. The community serves as a starting point for visits to hot springs, waterfalls and other sites, including Cerro Buena Vista. In Yorquín, buying local handicrafts is a great souvenir of your trip.
COCLES BEACH
This long, wide beach, battered by moderate to strong waves, overlooks a beautiful rocky islet of the same name to the north, opposite the point of Pirriplí, giving this island-less coastline its own special character. The area is ideal for sunbathers, swimmers, hikers, horseback riders, beach volleyball players, beach soccer players and more. Punta Cocles boasts a small coral reef. Surfboards and bicycles are available for hire all along the beach. In Puerto Viejo, horse and motorcycle rentals are available for exploring the beach or those further south.
CHIQUITA BEACH
Located just beyond Punta Cocles, this yellow-sand beach forms a small cove that gives it its name. Beyond this, an irregular coastline bordered by rocky platforms gives way, some two kilometers to the south, to a magnificent rocky promontory emerging from the waters, completely covered by exuberant tropical vegetation. At this point, the coast forms a corner of serene, crystal-clear water. This marvellous stretch of coastline is ideal for resting and contemplating nature's pristine beauty. It's also a great place for walking and horse-riding.
PUNTA UVA
Punta Uva is a large sandy spur that extends northwest to the promontory at the tip of Playa Chiquita. To the south, the coast curves down to Manzanillo. The headland is bordered by a coral reef that can be explored by diving. The peculiar shape of the coast is ideal for walks to the beaches of Chiquita and Manzanillo.
MANZANILLO BEACH
This yellow-sand beach stretches some 3,500 metres north from the village of Manzanillo to Punta Uva. The violence of the waves varies from moderate to strong. With its irregular curve, the beach is fringed by abundant vegetation dominated by a horde of palm trees. It's a must for anyone who loves walking, horse-riding, sunbathing, swimming or scuba diving, especially in the areas opposite the village and close to Punta Manzanillo. The road linking all the beaches south of Puerto Viejo, a dozen kilometers away, ends at the village of Manzanillo. Manzanillo offers a wide range of services, from scuba-diving equipment rental to dolphin-watching and diving excursions.
GANDOCA-MANZANILLO WILDLIFE REFUGE
This beautiful refuge occupies an area of 9449 hectares (4436 hectares marine and 5013 hectares terrestrial). Its coastal limits extend from the mouth of the Río Cocles, near Puerto Viejo, to the mouth of the Sixaola River, the border river with Panama. The Manzanillo mountains have a maximum altitude of 185 metres above sea level. The refuge is equipped with trails and lookouts.
Caution: "intermediate" level, muddy paths, paths covered with vegetation at certain times of the year and slippery ground.
