This is an example of our preferred hotel, though availability is not guaranteed. If a given hotel is not available for your tour date, we will reserve you a room at a hotel of similar appeal and quality in the same area.
Cariblue Hotel
Cariblue Hotel provides the finest lodging among Puerto Viejo. All lodge bungalows are nestled in a lush tropical garden surrounded by uncontaminated beaches and wild tropical jungle.
Located next to Cocles Beach in Puerto Viejo, Cariblue is a clear example of how one can integrate a hotel into the surrounding natural environment, with first class comfort and attention. Their spacious, comfortable bungalows reveal the enchantment of their rustic construction, complete with natural decorations and vibrant colors. Gardens surrounding the bungalows contain an impressive collection of tropical plants and fruit trees which attract an infinite assortment of birds and animals.
Cariblue received the Ultimate Service Award, which distinguishes its excellence as one of the top ten most appreciated hotels in the world. This award was based on a vote held by CNN where thousands of travelers from 123 countries chose their favorite hotel.
The hotel is a dream come true for owners Leonardo and Sandra Preseglio, natives of Italy, who were attracted to Puerto Viejo by its beauty and tranquility. Their good taste and family atmosphere provide the perfect touch for one to enjoy their vacation in direct contact with nature.
In their restaurant, you can treat yourself to the elaborated original seafood and meat dishes prepared by chef Pino Galuppo. The bar also offers delicious tropical cocktails.
The hotel can also hire guides for you for many of the different activities the area offers. The beach in front of the hotel has been distinguished as ecologically pristine by the federal government. It also provides excellent surfing.
Lodging
Superior Bungalow:
Very private and spacious, all in hard wood, each with beautiful, different mosaic tiled bathrooms, high ceilings keep them airy, quiet and cool. Inviting porches with hammocks.
This bungalow is ideal for a Honeymoon with the King size bed, or for family and friends with 2 double beds and a bunk bed. It houses up to 6 people on a Costa Rica tour.
Standard Deluxe Bungalow:
Brand new bungalows with air conditioning and cable TV all with King size beds.
Clean, comfortable, and private, these rooms are perfect for newlyweds.
Standard Bungalow:
The duplex standard bungalows are in concrete, with a palm-thatched roof. There is also a hammock or bamboo chairs on every porch for reading, napping, or cuddling.
Accommodates up to 4 people comfortably with two queen size bed or a king sized bed and sleeps 2.
House:
Cariblue also offers you a nice and spacious hard wood house ( 80 sqm), with two bedrooms, two bathrooms, and a furnished kitchen.
Is the ideal place for your holiday with children or friends. The house sleeps 7 people in comfort and style.
From 3 to 7 people: 1 room with 2 double beds, 1 room with 1 King size and 1 single bed.
Restaurant
Cariblue invites you to join them for a special candlelight dinner at the fine seafood gourmet restaurant SOLE LUNA.
The restaurant is located in a palm-thatched Rancho style restaurant, built of local, natural materials. The Sole Luna Restaurant offer fine dining, excellent Italian food, fresh lobster, mariscada and more in a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere. The Italian chef Pino and his dedicated staff serve up delicious meals in style. Renowned among high-class Puerto Viejo restaurants.
Open daily from 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM.
Services
* Free typical Costa Rican-style breakfast buffet from 7.30 to 10.00
* Free safety deposit box
* Free coffee all day
* Free WI – FI area
* Gourmet seafood restaurant “SOLELUNA”
* Souvenir shop
* Swimming pool
* Children’s pool
* Nice decorations
* Jacuzzi
* Gardens
* Wet bar
* Ceiling fans
* Hair dryer
* Rancho and reception (See the photo gallery)
* TV, DVD, video, books, in the lounge area
* Billiard-Ping pong, games
* Laundry service
* Telephone fax service at the front desk
* Safe parking
* Security
* Full Weddings package
* Tours and car rental
Beaches
Cariblue is just steps away from the beautiful white sand beach of Playa Cocles. Also there are other beautiful beaches to explore that will leave you breathless.
Cariblue is one of the nicest beach hotels in Costa Rica. Right in front of the entrance to Cariblue is the beautiful white sand beach of Playa Cocles (actually, this beach is referred to locally as "Beach Break"). This is generally agreed to be the best surfing beach in the area. It has a good wave and no reef (unlike the famous Salsa Brava beach in Puerto Viejo, which has very dangerous reefs).
Many of the local surfers as well as travelers from all over the world come to Costa Rica to surf.
This beach is also an excellent place for the casual beach-goer, since it has graceful palms to provide shade and perfect sand for sunbathing. So at Cariblue, you have one of the nicest beaches in the area right outside your front door on your Costa Rica tour.
Day Excursions
The Following Activities Can be arranged locally:
Indigenous Tropical Tour:
Come explore for a full day, discover the local indigenous culture. Visit cutting-edge ecological farms, visit an iguana farm, and get to know Bribri indigenous families who will prepare a delicious farm lunch, teach about handicrafts and traditional medicine!
This tour supports indigenous families.
Horseback Riding:
Reliable, experienced horseback riding tours. All tours require a two person minimum. Tours includes: Transportation, full equipment.
Beach Tour:
Punta Uva Beach and jungle : Best horses and equipment in the Caribbean.
Quad Cycle Tours:
Visitors will ride through beautiful scenery over the Talamanca forest and mountains, and visit a local waterfall of unique beauty where you can take refreshment bath with a fruit snack, the tour continues to the indigenous communities where you can appreciate the native crafts.
Snorkeling in Cauhita National Park:
Includes bilingual native guide, snorkeling equipment and boat trip, entrance and walk in the park, and a fresh fruit snack. You visit the unique marine and terrestrial ecosystems of Cahuita National Park by boat. The live coral reef includes more than 240 habitats, 123 different species of fishes, 44 species of crustaceans, 140 shellfish and 128 various algae identified. You also observe 35 different coral species such as the fire coral, and the red and black coral. In the park you can observe many animals such as two or three toed sloths, white face monkeys, different types of crabs, morpho butterflies, birds and parrots.
Botanical Gardens:
Visitors to the botanical garden will see tropical flowering plants, medicines, spices, and over 60 kinds of fruit trees. Learn about chocolate production, black pepper, cinnamon. See the famous brightly colored poison dart frogs. The garden is set between corridor of rainforest with large upper canopy trees. There is a good possibility to see sloths, toucans, parrots, toucans, large butterflies etc. Learn about the rainforest and tropical permaculture. About three hr tour.
Rafting on the Pacuare:
The Pacuare River is world famous for its sheer beauty. A true river gorge, it is flanked by steep, green walls. You can see waterfalls, cascading into the river from both sides as colorful, tropical birds fly right over your head. The white water is equally exciting. The amount of rapids covered in this outstanding descent make it one of the most memorable rivers you'll ever run. Tour includes: Transportation, round trip, breakfast, lunch and the equipment.
Tour description :
Difficulty : Class III + V
Distance : 30 kms / 18 miles
Number of rapids : 38 Approximate
River time : 4 hours
Minimum Age : 12 year
Gandaco Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge:
Includes transportation, lunch and a local guide with whom you will explore this nearby refuge!
Canopy Tour:
2140 meters of cable, 19 platforms, primary forest, naturalist guide. Tour takes place about 30 minutes from Puerto Viejo, Minimum of 2 people.
Includes: Transportation round trip and Fresh Fruits.
Birdwatching:
There is great birdwatching right out Cariblue's front door!
Bird List
HUMMINGBIRDS AND HERMITS:
- LONG -TAILED HERMIT
- BAND TAILED BARBTHROAT
- LITTLE HERMIT
- BLUE -TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
- BRONZY HERMIT
- RUFOUS -TAILED HUMMINGBIRD
- RED -FOOTED PLUMELETEER
TROGONS AND JACAMARS:
- VIOLACEOUS TROGON
- BLACK -THROATED TROGON
- SLATY -TAILED TROGON
PARROTS:
- CRIMSON- FRONTED PARAKEET
- ORANGE-CHINNED PARAKEET
- OLIVE- THROATED PARAKEET
- MEALY PARROT
KITES AND FALCONS:
- AMERICAN SWALLOW- TAILED KITE
- LAUGHING FALCON
LARGE RAPTORS:
- OSPREY
- SWAINSONS HAWK
PIGEONS AND DOVE:
- SHORT -BILLED PIGEON
- RED- BILLED PIGEON
- RUDDY GROUND DOVE
- PALE-VENTED PIGEON
- VIOLACEOUS QUAIL-DOVE
CUCKOOS AND NIGHTJARS:
- SQUIRREL CUCKOO
- SMOOTH BILLEDANI
- COMMON PAURAQUE
- GROOVE-BILLED ANI
SWIFTS AND SWALLOWS:
- CLIFF SWALLOW
- NORTHERN ROUGH-WINGED SWALOW
- BARN SWALLOW
MOTMOTS, KINGFISHERS, TOUCANS, AND LARGE WOODPECKERS:
- AMAZON KINGFISHER
- COLLARED ARACARI
- RINGED KINGFISHER
- KEEL-BILLED TOUCAN
- LINEATED WOODPECKER
- CHESTNUT -MANDIBLED TOUCAN
- PALE-BILLED WOODPECKER
BARBETS,PUFFBIRDS,AND SMALLER WOODPECKERS:
- BLACK-CHEEKED WOODPECKER
- WOODCREEPERS AND OVENBIRDS
- BARRED WOODCREEPER
- PLAIN BROWN WOODCREEPER
- WEDGE-BILLED WOODCREEPER
ANTBIRDS:
- GREAT ANTSHRIKE
- SLATY ANTSHRIKE
MANAKINS AND BECARDS:
- WHITE-COLLARED MANAKIN
- CINNAMON BECARD
WRENS AND NIGHTINGALE-THRUSHES:
- PLAIN WREN
- HOUSE WREN
- BAY WREN
- RUFOUS-NAPED WREN
VULTURES AND LARGE BLACK RAPTORS AND GUANS:
- CRESTED GUAN
- TURKEY VULTURE
- COMMON BLACK HAWK
- BLACK VULTURE
- KING VULTURE
FLYCATCHERS:
- COMMON TODY FLYCATCHER
- TROPICAL KINGBIRD
- GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER
- EASTERN KINGBIRD
- BOAT-BILLED FLYCATCHER
- GREAT KISKADEE
- WHITE- RINGED FLYCATCHER
- LONG- TAILED TYRANT
- GRAY-CAPPED FLYCATCHER
- ASH-TROATED FLYCATCHER
- DUSKY- CAPPED FLYCATCHER
- BLACK HEADED TODYFLYCATCHER
- YELLOW-BELLIED FLYCATCHER
VIREOS,WARBLERS,GNATCATCHERS,AND BANNANAQUIT:
- BANNANAQUIT
- YELLOW WARBLER
- YELLOW- THROATED VIREO
- CHESTNUT- SIDED WARBLER
- RED- EYED VIREO
- CAPE MAY WARBLER
- TROPICAL GNATCATCHER
- OLIVE CROWNED YELLOW THROAT
THRUSHES,JAYS,SILKY-FLY CATCHERS,CATBIRDS,AND DIPPERS:
- CLAY COLOURED ROBIN
- WOOD THRUSH
ICTERIDS:
- YELLOW- TAILED ORIOLE
- SCARLET RUMPED CACIQUE
- BLACK- COWLED ORIOLE
- BRONZED COWBIRD
- GREAT- TAILED GRACKLE
- MONTEZUMA OROPENDULA
EUPHONIANS AND OLIVE-GREEN TANAGERS:
- OLIVE BACKED EUPHONIA
- PALM TANAGER
HONEYCREEPERS AND TANAGERS:
- SHINING HONEYCREEPER
- SCARLET- RUMDED TANAGER
- RED- LEGGED HONEYCREEPER
- SUMMER TANAGER
- GREEN HONEYCREEPER
- GOLDEN- HOODED TANAGER
- BLUE-GRAY TANAGER
- WHITE- LINED TANAGER
GROSBEAKS AND BUNTINGS:
- BLUE GROSBEAK
- BLACK- HEADED SALTATOR
- BUFF-THROATED SALTATOR
FINCHES,SEEDEATERS,AND FLOWER PIERCERS:
* VARIABLE SEEDEATER
* THICK -BILLED SEED FINCH
BLUE SEEDEATER
SPARROWS AND OTHERS:
- BLACK-STRIPED SPARROW
!ON THE BEACH!
- GREAT BLUE HERON
- GREEN- BACKED HERON
- GREEN BACKED (STRIATED) HERON
- LITTLE BLUE HERON
- TRICOLORED HERON
- CATTLE EGRET
- SNOWY EGRET
- SPOTTED SANDPIPER
- SEMIPALMATED PLOVER
- RINGED KINGFISHER
- MAGNIFICENT FRIGATEBIRD
- BROWN PELICAN
- WOOD STORK
