Surf and a small island seen from the sand at Playa Cocles

Costa Rica / Puerto Viejo / Things to do

Puerto Viejo · The considered list

Things to do,chosen carefully.

Seven worthwhile ways to spend your time on the coast, from the reef to the table.

7recommendationsCuratedby Dear Costa Rica2026updated
Before you begin

Leave room for nothing

Puerto Viejo rewards an under-filled itinerary. Pick one thing each day, use a bicycle when the sky is clear and let the weather decide the rest.

Some links on this page are affiliate links. If you book through them, Dear Costa Rica may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

The list

Pick a mood

Filter by how you want to spend the day.

The curve of the beach at Playa CoclesIndependentHalf day

Cycle from Cocles to Manzanillo

The coast road is the connective tissue of Puerto Viejo: mostly flat, shaded by jungle and never far from a swim. Leave after breakfast and stop at Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva.

BikeStart early
The sea seen through branches at a viewpoint in CahuitaGuidedDear Costa Rica pick

Snorkel Cahuita’s reef

One of the coast’s best underwater experiences, and easy to pair with a walk in Cahuita National Park. Book with a licensed operator from Cahuita town.

Licensed operatorCahuita
See the Cahuita experience

Start early. Mornings are usually the quieter time at the beaches along the coast road.

A chestnut-mandibled toucan perched among green foliage near Cocles, Costa RicaWildlifeGandoca-Manzanillo

Go wild: look closer at the green

A wildlife walk through lowland rainforest, with toucans, sloths and poison-dart frogs all possible. Choose a local naturalist rather than a large group tour: a good guide changes what you see. See Manzanillo and the refuge and our wildlife guide.

First-timers, families, birdersEarly-morning startPrices vary; confirm what is included
See the guided hike

Prefer the water? Sloth and kayak tour in Punta Uva →

A casado plate of rice, beans, salad, chicken and plantain in Puerto ViejoDinner

Order the whole menu at Stashu’s

Caribbean cooking worth planning a dinner around. Go with friends and share widely.

Share widely

Want to learn the cooking? See the cooking experience →

Waves on the beach below a forested headland at Punta UvaGuidedOn horseback

Ride the beach to Punta Uva

A two-hour ride along Playa Grande to the Punta Uva lookout, with a short hike up for the view. Morning and sunset departures are described in the listing.

2 hoursPlaya Grande
See the horse ride
Dense forest on the trail in the Gandoca-Manzanillo refugeGuidedAfter dark

Manzanillo after dark

A guided night walk through the Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge, looking for the nocturnal wildlife you will not see by day. Pickup is offered.

4 hoursNocturnal wildlife
See the night walk

More on the coast’s food

Good to know

What works well. What to know.

Plan less, choose well. The honest version of this list.

What works well

  • The coast is easy to explore independently
  • Real range: beach, forest, food and culture
  • Small-group naturalist guides are available

Worth knowing

  • Rain is possible in every month
  • Roads and start times can be flexible
  • Popular beaches are quieter early in the day
Keep exploring

Where to next?

OverviewThe Puerto Viejo guideTown, beaches and the lay of the land StayWhere to stayAreas and three hotels BeachesWhich beach, which dayPick by what you want ArriveSan José to Puerto ViejoShuttle, bus or car NearbyThe Cahuita guidePark, reef and village LookWildlife on the coastSloths, birds, monkeys CultureChocolate toursCacao from fruit to bar EatCaribbean foodWhat to order and where PlanWhen to goRain, lulls, months RetreatsYoga retreats in Puerto ViejoEight compared, with prices RetreatsSurf and yoga retreats in Costa RicaEight compared, with prices

Photographs are credited on Photography credits. Check operators, prices and start times before you book.