21 Amazing Things to Do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

1. Visit Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park is located just north of Puerto Viejo. It is by far one of our favorite national parks in the country and we highly recommend visiting.

• You can easily drive to one of the two entry points and enjoy the park on your own. Find out more in our Cahuita National Park guide.
• If you will not have a rental car, you could opt to take a guided tour with transportation included. Check Availability here

2. Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center

The Jaguar Rescue Center gives both temporary and permanent residence to a variety of local wildlife.

They provide essential veterinary services, give round-the-clock care, and provide comfort to creatures unable to survive in the wild.

The sanctuary is home to monkeys, wild cats, sloths, anteaters, and an array of bird species such as macaws and toucans.

• How to Visit:
  • There are tours that operates daily at 9:30 a.m. and 11:30 a.m.
  • Tickets can be purchased online.
  • The sanctuary also offers private tours at 2:00 p.m., providing a VIP exclusive experience tailored to individual preferences.

Find Out More About the Jaguar Rescue Center

3. Go Beach Hopping

There are some really beautiful beaches in the Puerto Viejo area. I’m talking places with fine white sand and clear turquoise waters with total paradise vibes.

A few of our favorites are:

• Playa Cocles: known for its golden sand, lively surf, and vibrant atmosphere. It’s perfect for both relaxation and water sports.
• Playa Chiquita: known for its calm waters, lush jungle surroundings, and the sense of seclusion it offers.
• Playa Punta Uva: known for its turquoise waters and lush greenery. It’s an excellent spot for swimming, snorkeling, and kayaking.

For more info, check out our guide to the 6 best beaches in Puerto Viejo

4. Go Surfing

Puerto Viejo is a popular destination for surfers from beginners to advanced.

The best surf spots in the area are:

• Salsa Brava: This spot is infamous for its heavy right-hand barrels that can reach up to 12 feet or more during peak swells. We only recommend this spot to advanced surfers. If you’re aiming to ride Salsa Brava, the local surf shops in Puerto Viejo can provide advice on the best equipment and conditions for tackling this wave.
• Playa Cocles: This beach is perfect for beginners, offering consistent, mellow beach breaks.

The peak surf season is between January and March, when the Caribbean coast receives swells from winter storms in the North Atlantic. During this time, waves can range from 3 to 12 feet.

Puerto Viejo primarily experiences eastward swells. Salsa Brava thrives on larger, eastward swells, while Playa Cocles is more consistent with smaller, manageable waves.

5. Enjoy the Nightlife Scene

Puerto Viejo is known for having a very lively nightlife scene with several fun clubs for dancing and cocktails.

Please use caution and try to always go out to these clubs with another person that you trust. In general, Puerto Viejo is safe, but it is not a good idea to walk around alone at night. Also, keep a close eye on your drinks at all times when you are in a big crowd.

Our favorite places to go out are:

• Johnny’s Place
• Hot Rocks
• KOKi Beach Restaurant & Bar
• Tasty Waves Cantina

6. Rent a Bike and Explore

In downtown Puerto Viejo it is possible to rent a bike and explore all of the beaches along the coast. 

Typically, I wouldn’t suggest renting a bike in Costa Rica because the roads aren’t in the best condition, but in this area, you should be completely fine. 

Puerto Viejo Bike Rentals has great raits and good bikes. You can check out their offers and reserve a bike here. Otherwise, you will find plenty of bike rentals within the downtown area. 

7. Watch the Sunrise

The beaches in Puerto Viejo are the perfect place to enjoy a stunning sunrise view.

I think the mornings in Costa Rica are by far the best part of the day. The air is crisp and the wildlife is super active.

Just be warned, the sun rises early, between 5:00 AM and 5:30 AM all year round. 

8. Hike at Manzanillo Refuge

If you drive south along the coast from Puerto Viejo you will eventually come to a small beach village called Manzanillo. There is also a beautiful nature reserve here that you can explore.

We have hiked here several times and I think it has some of the most beautiful coastal views in the entire country.

Just keep in mind that it is very remote and most of trails are not well maintained. In the rainy season it can be excessively muddy.

If you would like, it is possible to book a day tour here with a guide. This is a great option if you would like to see a lot of hard-to-spot wildlife.

For another fun way to explore this park, you could consider taking a wildlife night tour with an experienced guide. You might see frogs, snakes, tarantulas and other fascinating animals.

• Check Availabilty and Book a Day Tour with Transportation
• Check Availability and Book Your Night Walk

9. Take a Full Day Tour Up to Tortuguero Canals

On this fun-filled 6-hour tour you will have the chance to enjoy a boat ride through canals, hike at Cahuita National Park, visit banana and cacao farms, taste fresh fruit, visit downtown Limon, and enjoy a traditional lunch.

This tour is designed for cruise ship passengers who want to see many things in one day, but they also offer pickup and drop off in Puerto Viejo.

Its a great way to combine many activities into one fun filled day.

Check Availability and Book

10. Take a Sloth and Kayak Tour 

On this guided kayak and hiking adventure in Punta Uva you’ll search for wild sloths and other incredible wildlife like monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds.

You’ll paddle through serene jungle rivers, then walk along hidden trails and beaches, stop at a stunning viewpoint and even explore a coastal cave.

The sloths here roam free, and while nature is unpredictable, you’ll almost always spot several lounging in the trees.

Check Availability and Book Tour

Travel Tip: For another fun experience you might consider taking a clear bottom kayak tour from nearby Punta Uva. Find out more and book it here.

11. Get a Massage

Sometimes you just need some relaxation and rejuvination, and the perfect way to experience that is sometimes with a massage. Our favorite place for this is Pure Jungle Spa, which is located just off of the downtown area in Puerto Viejo.

They offer a variety of treatments including massages, body wraps, pedicures, and tropical facials from experienced technicians at a fair price point.

Check Treatement Options at Pure Jungle Spa

12. Go Whitewater Rafting

If you are an experienced whitewater rafter or even if it is your first time, you will definitely enjoy a fun filled rafting day trip along the Pacuare River (for advanced rafters) or the Reventazón River (for beginner rafters).

These days trips include transportation, an experienced guide, breakfast, lunch, and usage of all equipment, and access to changing rooms and showers at the end of your adventure.

• Check Availability of Class II-III Tour
• Check Availability of Class III-IV Tour

13. Visit the Indigenous Bribri Tribe and Waterfall

The Bribri Tribe are an indigenous group primarily residing near Puerto Viejo. Their history dates back thousands of years, and they have maintained their language, traditions, and spiritual beliefs despite Spanish colonization and modernization.

The Bribri are best known for their deep connection to nature, their cacao-based economy, and their matrilineal social structure, where inheritance and leadership often pass through women.

One of the best ways to get a glimpse into this culture is with a half-day indigenous reserve cacao and waterfall tour.

On this tour you will meet an indigenous family, learn about their medicinal plants, and have the chance to try making your own cacao paste. Your tour will also visit a beautiful waterfall in the mountains where you can cool off with a swim. Plus, a traditional lunch is included.

I really feel this is one of the best activities you can do if you are interested in culture and would like to support the tribe.

Get More Info and Book

14. Take a Food Tour

This fun 4 hour food tour is led by Laura. With her, you’ll enjoy an evening of sampling dishes that range from Argentinian steak chimichurri and Peruvian ceviche to Caribbean classics like jerk chicken and gallo pinto.

The tour provides a full meal’s worth of food across several unique locations, complemented by snacks, street food, tropical fruits, and even some alcoholic beverages at select stops.

I love this tour because it combines the best of Puerto Viejo’s culinary scene to really give you a glimpse into the culture here. I also like that they keep the groups small with no more than six guests. I promise you’ll have such a great time!

Check Availability and Book Your Food Tour

15. Go Souvenir Shopping

In downtown Puerto Viejo there are several souvenir shops with a variety of artistic goods. Even if you don’t need to buy any souvenirs, it is always fun to browse the shops.

Travel Tip: One of the best souvenirs you can buy in Costa Rica is some local coffee. This can be purchased at any grocery store. Check out our guide to Costa Rican souvenirs for more great ideas. 

16. Take a Yoga Class

If you would like to do some yoga while in Costa Rica, I think there is nothing better than some solo beach yoga at sunrise.

However, if you would like to take a class, there are some drop in experiences that you can join as well. My favorite place to do this is at Amaser Yoga.

Typically, they have drop in classes every day of the week at 8:00AM and 9:30AM at a very reasonable price point.

Check Availability of Classes

17. Go Horseback Riding on the Beach

This two-hour horseback riding tour is so fun! You will ride along the powdery white sands of Playa Grande all the way to the stunning Punta Uva with your experienced guide, Vicki.

I love this tour because it combines a bit of adventure and peaceful coastal vibes. Vicki is also amazing and will make sure you are comfortable and having a great experience. Plus, the horses are well-cared-for and friendly.

Whether you choose a morning or sunset ride, this experience is not to be missed!

Check Availability and Book Your Tour

18. Take a Caribbean Cooking Class

I think cooking classes are a great way to get to know a culture a bit better. Plus it’s a fun activity that people of most ages and physical levels can participate in.

In this cooking class, you will have the chance to prepare a traditional Caribbean meal with the wonderful Josefina in her home. During this interactive cooking class, you’ll learn to make Rice & Beans with Caribbean Chicken.

As you cook, you’ll learn about the history and culture of Puerto Viejo. Josefina has so much knowledge about the town’s origins and the influence of its Afro-Caribbean roots.

I love this experience because you get to meet Josefina and learn all about the soul of Puerto Viejo. The food is incredible, and Josefina’s hospitality makes you feel like part of the family.

Check Availability and Book Your Cooking Class

19. Make Chocolate

This is one of the most high quality tours you can experience in the area (in my opinion).

This three-hour workshop begins with an educational tour of a cacao farm, where you will learn about the cultivation and history of cacao trees.

Following the farm visit, you’ll head into the chocolate kitchen to learn about fermentation and the process of transforming cacao seeds into chocolate.

The class also includes the preparation of a traditional Central American chocolate drink, which, you of course get the chance to drink plenty of.

The owner, Ansel, leads this experience and she is just the best. She is knowledgeable, passionate about cacao, and so kind.

Check the Availability of the Chocolate Tour

20. Enjoy a Chocolate and Rum Tasting

Another fun way to enjoy chocolate is with a chocolate and rum tasting at the Choco chocolate shop. During this experience you will taste 6 different types of chocolate and 3 kinds of rum over a guided one hour long experience.

It’s a great date activity or to do with a group of friends.

Check Availability and Book

Choco also offer a:

• chocolate and wine or beer tastings (Book Here)
• a chocolate with coffee tasting (Book Here)