Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica
The Puerto Jimenez Vibe
Typically in Costa Rica, I find that every town exudes a particular vibe. With Puerto Jimenez, I did not get that feeling.
However, after spending a few days in the area the town grew on me. I realized the reason it did not have a particular vibe is because it is still a local small town.
There are tourists in Puerto Jimenez, but not to the extent that you see in other towns in Costa Rica. It has stuck to its roots and I like that about Puerto Jimenez.
Within just a short drive out of the town, you can visit beautiful beaches with turquoise waters and lush jungles filled with wildlife.
Alright, let’s get to planning your perfect trip to Puerto Jimenez Costa Rica!
Map Of Puerto Jimenez
Puerto Jimenez is about as far south on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica as you can get. It is located on the little hook of the country and the calm waters of Golfo Dulce.
Puerto Jimenez at a Glance
Nearest International Airport
Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose
Popular Things to Do
Corcovado tours, relaxing on the beach, fishing
Best Way to Get Around
Rental car, walking in the downtown area
Best Time of Year to Visit
Dry season is from late December until mid-April
Book Your Trip
Getting to Puerto Jimenez
Flights to Costa Rica
Your best option for getting to Puerto Jimenez, Costa Rica is to fly into San Jose International Airport. The full name is Juan Sanatamaria International Airport. And the airport code is SJO.
If you haven’t booked your flight yet, we suggest using Skyscanner. We consistently find the best rates through their website.
Transportation From San Jose International Airport
Rental Car
From the San Jose airport, it will take you about six hours to drive to Puerto Jimenez. This is actually a really nice drive because it goes past a bunch of other beach towns on the way down. The road is also well maintained the whole way.
Just make sure that your GPS directs you along the coastal road by Jaco and Manuel Antonio and not through the mountains. The trip through the mountains is rough!
If you need a good place to pull off for a quick lunch along the way we suggest stopping in Dominical. It is about halfway into the drive and really easy to pull off into Dominical from the main road. There is a cute fish and chips shop called Pescado Loco that makes some killer fish tacos located right in the downtown area. We like to stop there because it is a great place for a quick but tasty lunch.
We suggest using Adobe for your car rentals because they are the most trustworthy rental car company in this country (in our opinion) and we have a 10% discount for you. You can read more about renting a car here.
Domestic Flight
There is a small airport in Puerto Jimenez that offers direct flights to and from San Jose daily.
This is usually a bit more expensive, but it is definitely the fastest way to get here.
You can check out your flight option here.
Public Bus
If you do not plan on renting a car you can also take the public bus to Puerto Jimenez. The bus runs twice daily at 8:00am and 12:00pm from downtown San Jose. The ride will take about 8 hours.
Tip: If you don’t feel comfortable driving, a private shuttle is always a great option. Find out more here.
Getting Around in Puerto Jimenez
The downtown area of Puerto Jimenez is small enough to easily walk around. However, you probably won’t be spending much time in the downtown area. A lot of the fun activities happen away from the downtown.
We had our car with us in Puerto Jimenez and it was definitely helpful. It allowed us to visit a lot of nice beaches that we would not have been able to get to otherwise. Also, if you do a tour to Corcovado National Park you can opt to have transportation provided by your tour company but it will be cheaper if you just drive yourself to the national park.
We definitely suggest renting a vehicle with high clearance and 4 wheel drive. The roads around Puerto Jimenez are not paved and sometimes you will have to drive through rivers. Just keep in mind that this is a lot easier and safer during the dry season. During the rainy season, the water level can get very high.
Pro Tip: Rent a car with Adobe through our site and you will get a 10% discount plus other great perks! Score! You can find out more about it here.
Book Your Transportation
Puerto Jimenez Weather
This area follows a similar weather pattern to the rest of the South Pacific coast.
You can expect hot and dry weather from the end of December until April or May. After that, the rainy season begins.
During the rainy season, you can expect afternoon rainstorms that come like clockwork.
From September until December the weather becomes kind of unpredictable. You may have days that are complete washouts and other days with perfect weather.
Grab a free copy of our Costa Rica guide
Puerto Jimenez Hotels
High-End Hotels
Crocodile Bay Resort– If fishing is your thing, this is the all-inclusive resort for you. However, it is also just an all-around beautiful resort.
Avatar Eco Lodge– Beautiful resort with multiple pools, amazing views, a nice restaurant and more.
Iguana Lodge Beach Resort– Unique accommodation option directly across from the beach. There is a restaurant, outdoor pool, spa and more on the property.
Mid-Range Hotels
Hotel Inn Jimenez– Nice hotel located in downtown Puerto Jimenez with a pool.
Cabinas Jimenez– Basic accommodations with a view of Golfo Dulce. There is a pool and all rooms have a kitchenette.
Waleskas Place– Basic, but nice cabins located across the street from the beach. This place is somewhat remote.
Budget Hotels
Cabinas The Corner– Cute basic accommodations in the downtown area. There are private rooms and shared dorms available.
Puerto Jimenez Homes & Villa Rentals
We always love renting a home or villa for our vacation. This gives you more privacy and allows you the flexibility to cook your own meals.
Note: We try to only ever suggest places with good cancellation policies, but always double check before booking.
Atrevida – A 5 bedroom home that can sleep up to 10 guests. Some words I would use to describe this home are; modern, unique, and rustic.
Finca Sombrero y Camisas – This home is located in a remote beach area south of Puerto Jimenez. It can sleep 10 guests in 3 bedrooms. There is a pool and it is located just next to the beach.
Casa Rio Sombrero – I personally love the rustic open-air feel to this home, but if you are not a fan of any outdoor critters, this probably not the best spot for you. The home sleeps 6 guests in 2 bedrooms.
Things to Do in Puerto Jimenez
Visit Corcovado National Park
The main attraction in Puerto Jimenez is Corcovado National Park. You can take one day or multi-day hikes inside the park from the ranger stations.
We recently had a chance to visit this Costa Rican gem and have a complete guide to the national park here.
Go Kayaking
Want to take a relaxing paddle along the waterways and see tons of wildlife? We love this activity!
Relax on a Beautiful Beach
There are plenty of nice beaches near Puerto Jimenez with bright turquoise waters.
Our favorite is Playa Platanares. It’s a short drive from downtown Puerto Jimenez and you can just walk for miles there without seeing another person.
We suggest having a car with 4 wheel drive though because the road near the beach is basically just sand.
Hike up a Waterfall
About an hour away from the town of Puerto Jimenez there is a waterfall called the King Louis waterfall. The road to get here is not the best so you definitely need 4 wheel drive, but it is a fun free activity.
After visiting the waterfall, head to the nearby secluded beach that you will pass just before the waterfall. It’s awesome!
We have a guide to visiting this waterfall here.
Go Fishing
We suggest booking your half or full-day fishing tour with Captain Gerry. During your trip you might catch; mackerel, mahi-mahi, grouper, jack, or baracudas.
Puerto Jimenez Restaurants
Mid-Range
Pizzamail.it: This place has a cute and relaxed vibe to it. Their pizza is delicious but they also offer other great items such as tasty fresh fish.
Marisqueria Corcovado: Super tasty fresh fish and seafood. We loved the outdoor seating with the view of the harbor. This is a great dinner spot, but bring bug spray!
Germinar: This is our favorite lunch spot in Puerto Jimenez. All of their food is super fresh and organic.
Budget-Friendly
Soda Jimenez: This is the place to go if you want delicious typical Costa Rican food at a good price. Plus their portions are huge! It may not look like much from the outside but try not to let that deter you.
Multi- Day Tours That Go to Puerto Jimenez
Take the planning, stress, and guess work out of traveling by booking a multi-day tour with an experienced guide.
For more tour ideas check out Tour Radar.