Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a slice of Caribbean paradise, offering gorgeous sandy beaches fringed by lush jungle and turquoise water. Bask in the Costa Rican sunshine, tour working cacao farms, see sloths and toucans and dine at authentic Costa Rican restaurants and colourful reggae bars.
Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is surrounded by farms, also known as "fincas". Growing over 150 species of tropical fruit, as well as pepper and cacao, Finca La Isla showcases Costa Rica's flourishing agricultural scene. Watch for sloths, toucans and poison dart frogs as you explore the farm.
A short drive from Puerto Viejo, the Jaguar Rescue Centre is a lifeline for injured, orphaned and mistreated animals. At any one time you could spot wildcats, sloths, hummingbirds and howler monkeys. Tours of the La Ceiba Release Station offer a behind-the-scenes glimpse at the rescue centre in action.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca faces the Caribbean Sea and boasts some of the country's most ravishing beaches. Playa Cocles is three kilometres out of town and is a great place to enjoy golden sand beaches, laid-back restaurants and surf lessons. Further up the coast, Playa Chiquita is a secluded beach accessed by an overgrown jungle trail.
Shop for local produce at the open-air Organic Market, where you can stock up on exotic fruit, fresh coconuts and homemade chocolate. Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is dotted with lively cafes like Bread & Chocolate, where you can devour soups, salads, cakes and cookies.
Getting around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
The town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is best explored on foot, while bicycles are a great way to beach hop along the coast. Public buses depart from the main bus stop in the town centre, while shuttles run to popular destinations like San Jose and Bocas del Toro in Panama.