Snorkelling
Off the cove on calm days; by guided boat for the outer reef. The reef sits close to shore, with coral gardens, reef fish, rays and the occasional turtle.
Costa Rica / Puerto Viejo / Punta Uva
Caribbean Coast · Limón
Punta Uva,Costa Rica.
Calm, clear water on the South Caribbean coast, sheltered by a reef and a forested point.
≈ 8.5 kmsouth of Puerto ViejoReef-shelteredcalm water
Why go
Where the sea stops moving
A reef runs close to shore and a jungle-covered point curls out into it, so the water inside the bay stays flat and clear when the rest of the coast is churning.
≈ 8.5 kmsouth of Puerto Viejo
30–40 minby bike on a flat coast road
2beaches share the name
Feb–Mar, Sep–Octcalmest and clearest
Families with small children most often head here, though conditions change and children still need watching in the water. Our take: Punta Uva works best as a day trip from Puerto Viejo. Stay here only if a very quiet beach and a car or bike for every meal sound like the point of the trip. Bring food: restaurants are few and keep their own hours.
The beaches
One cove, one long stretch
Two beaches share the name. They are a short walk apart and quite different in the water.
This is the one you come for
Punta Uva (Arrecife)
The reef-protected cove on the north side of the point: shallow, warm and usually still, with white sand and coral close enough to snorkel straight off the beach on a calm day.
Access: from the coast road, near Selvin’s Restaurante or the Punta Uva Adventures entrance. Mornings are usually the quieter time, and the late-afternoon light is lovely.
Walk it rather than swim it
Playa Grande
The longer, more open beach on the far side of the point, running toward Manzanillo. Prettier for a walk than a swim, with more surf and no lifeguard, so take care in the water.
On the water
Two ways to use the calm
The same sheltered water that makes the swimming easy makes this one of the best places on the coast to snorkel or paddle.
Paddling
Kayak or SUP up the Quebrada Ernesto estuary when the water is high, past herons and kingfishers. Rentals and guided trips run from the beach entrance.
Wildlife
Monkeys, sloths, toucans, herons and kingfishers along the estuary. More in our wildlife guide.
Best conditions
Calmest and clearest roughly February–March and September–October.
A sloth near Playa Negra
A chestnut-mandibled toucan near CoclesPaddling and wildlife in one morning
There is a guided kayak, hike and sloth-watching tour at Punta Uva.
Rather stay on the sand? A two-hour ride along Playa Grande to the Punta Uva lookout: see the horse ride →
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On the sand
Punta Uva in pictures
Cove, palms and low sun.
Getting there
Flat road from Puerto Viejo
Punta Uva is on the same coast road that carries on to Manzanillo. The road is flat and shaded most of the way.
By bike
≈ 30–40 min from Puerto Viejo on a flat coast road, with Playa Chiquita to stop at on the way.
By bus
Local bus toward Manzanillo, several a day, stopping along the coast road. Check times locally.
By taxi
Tuk-tuk or car from town: quicker and costs a little more. Agree the price first.
Good to know
Daytime only past Punta Uva: bring food, water and ask locally before cycling the quiet stretch.
Where to sleep
Punta Uva works best as a day trip, and you will ride to most meals. If you want to sleep near the calm water, compare it with the other four areas of the coast first.
Keep exploring
Where to next?
OverviewThe Puerto Viejo guideTown, beaches and the lay of the land →StayWhere to stayAreas and three hotels →DoThings to doExperiences on the coast →NearbyThe Cahuita guidePark, reef and village →SwimEvery beach comparedPick by what you want →LookWildlife on the coastSloths, birds, monkeys →End of the roadManzanillo and the refugePunta Mona and beyond →
Photographs are credited on Photography credits. Cycling times are approximate.