Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: Activities & Things to Do

Puerto Viejo sits on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, in the country's southeastern corner near the Panama border — not to be confused with the beach town of the same name in Chile. This stretch of coastline pairs some of Costa Rica's least crowded beaches with wildlife refuges, coral reefs, and Bribri indigenous communities, all within a compact area. Whatever you're after— wildlife, water sports, or a closer look at the region's Afro-Caribbean and indigenous culture — there's no shortage of things to do in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica.
 

Wildlife-watching is one of the most popular things to do in Puerto Viejo, ranging from short visits near town to half-day trips into the surrounding refuges.

Sloth encounters at Aviarios del Caribe. This sanctuary rescues and rehabilitates orphaned and injured sloths, and a guided visit lets you see both two- and three-toed sloths up close, cared for by trained staff rather than handled by visitors.

Rainforest hikes at Gandoca-Manzanillo and Cahuita. The Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, at the southern end of the coast, protects one of the least-visited stretches of rainforest and mangrove habitat in the region. Cahuita National Park, closer to town, is an easier hike with a near-guaranteed look at howler monkeys along the coastal trail.

Dolphin watching out of Manzanillo. Boats leave from the small fishing village of Manzanillo in search of bottlenose and Atlantic spotted dolphins, both commonly seen off this part of the coast.

Manatee viewing at San San Pond Sak. A short trip across the Panama border leads to the San San Pond Sak wetlands, a community-run conservation project where manatees share the water with wetland birds and dense aquatic plant life. A responsible visit here means observing the manatees in their own habitat rather than feeding or touching them. Many trips continue on to Don Sixto's organic farm nearby, where a local family explains how they work the land.

Turtle nesting at Gandoca Beach. Leatherbacks — the largest sea turtle species in the world — nest at Gandoca Beach from March through July, and guided night visits time things around the turtles' natural nesting activity.

Birdwatching. The forest edges and wetlands around Puerto Viejo hold species like the crested owl, olive-throated parakeet, masked tityra, collared aracari, slaty antshrike, keel-billed and chestnut-mandibled toucans, and passerini's tanager, among many others.

The Jaguar Rescue Center. This wildlife rescue and rehabilitation center just outside town cares for injured and orphaned animals — sloths, monkeys, birds, and more — with the goal of returning them to the wild.

Active Adventures in Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo's location on the Caribbean Sea, backed by rainforest and rivers, means the adventure side of a visit here isn't limited to the water.

Kayaking over the reef. Paddling routes around Puerto Vargas and Cahuita National Park run directly over the local reef system, with a guide pointing out what's below as you go.

Snorkeling at Cahuita Point and Puerto Vargas. The reef here holds sea fans, brain coral, turtle grass, parrotfish, angelfish, blue tangs, spiny lobster, crabs, and conch, among other marine life, in water shallow and clear enough for snorkeling without a diving certification.

Surfing Salsa Brava. Puerto Viejo is home to Salsa Brava, widely considered the biggest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica. Lessons are available for beginners, while the wave itself draws experienced surfers from around the world.

Sea fishing. The Caribbean waters off Puerto Viejo hold tarpon, king mackerel, red snapper, and tuna, among other catches.

Whitewater rafting the Pacuare River. A day trip inland to the Pacuare River — regularly counted among the world's top rafting rivers — runs through roughly 40 to 50 rapids ranging from playful to genuinely challenging, with rainforest and waterfalls lining the river the entire way.

Canopy tours. Zip-line circuits and aerial trams both move through the forest canopy nearby, one for an adrenaline-heavy pace and the other for a slower look at the treetops.

Horseback riding on the beach. Rides along Puerto Viejo's beaches are set up for riders of any experience level, from first-timers to experienced equestrians.
Beyond the organized activities, plenty of visitors are happy just biking the coastal road between town and Playa Cocles, one of the area's most popular beaches for both surfing and simply spending the day.

 

 

Cultural Experiences in Puerto Viejo

Cacao farm visits. Small cacao and chocolate operations near Puerto Viejo walk visitors through how chocolate is actually made, from the fruit to the finished bar, tied to a crop that's been part of the local economy for generations.

Bribri communities along the Sixaola and Yorkín Rivers. Visits to Bribri communities such as Amubri and Yorkín offer a look at daily life in Costa Rica's indigenous territory — cacao and banana farming, traditional thatched-roof homes, and, in some cases, a conversation with an Awá, the traditional healer responsible for the community's medicinal plant knowledge.

Between its beaches, wildlife, and Caribbean and Bribri cultural traditions, Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica packs a wide range of things to do into a small area — a rare combination on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Adventure Life's Trip Planners can help build a Puerto Viejo itinerary around whichever of these experiences matter most to you, as part of a broader Costa Rica trip.