Location: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Top Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
Top 8 Things to do in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica
Only real-deal surfers should brave the torrid waters of Puerta Viejo de Talamanca, known both for their beauty and for their dangerously strong riptides. Surf’s especially up at Salsa Brava and Playa Cocles. Not to fear—the rest of you water bugs can enjoy snorkeling, kayaking and diving in the calmer waters of Cahuita or Manzanillo. Rent a mountain bike to coast to Manzanillo for a full, fun experience.
Restaurants in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
1. Punta Uva Beach
Overall Ratings
5 based on 399 reviews
Reviewed By Fone B - West Hollywood, California
If you went to Costa Rica to enjoy the sea and the natural beauty without being crushed by buses full of tourists, souvenir vendors, and other Disney-fications, this is where you want to be. Swim, sun yourself, read, walk in the trees.
2. Chocorart
Overall Ratings
5 based on 143 reviews
CHOCORART is a family run ORGANIC CACAO FARM who grows Cacao in harmony with nature and produce all kind of ORGANIC CHOCOLATE PRODUCTS. We offer a CHOCOLATE TOUR ON OUR FARM which is a visit on our CACAO PLANTATION and our ARTESANAL CHOCOLATE PRODUCTION, from Monday to Friday at 3 pm. The Tour takes from 1,5 hour to 2 hours. On the main road in Playa Chiquita is our Chocolate Shop where you can reserve the Chocolate Tour or by all our Cacao products and other organic products like organic coffee etc. The shop is open from Monday to Friday the whole afternoon.
Reviewed By IamToony - New York City, New York
the plantation is beautiful with wide variety of fruit trees, flowers and bushes. i love the organic production. the chocolate was so pure and delicious. the actual process was very interesting. we were able to participate in the shelling and churning process. we had sample of hot chocolate and chocolate on banana slices that were just so heavenly!!!!! oh and the sour guava drink we were offered was also very delicious.
David was very knowledgable and eager to share his knowledge. he also answered questions we had about other plants. other than chocolate which was the main focus of the tour, he also let us sample grapefruit on the plantation and a fruit called ackee which is also known as the brain fruit !!! it was very interesting to experience a fruit i've never had before. we did another chocolate tour during our 1st visit to CR but this one is definitely our favorite. i support local businesses and i support their organic production to create best quality chocolate instead of mass production. it's very hard to do nowadays and they seem to really enjoy their craft as opposed to making large profit. it's admirable.
David, just so you know!!! the bamboo that we asian ppl eat is in the paragraph below. I couldn't find a can at any stores in PV to share with you. hopefully you'll be able to experience it for yourself one of these days!! it's quite tasty.
'Bamboo shoots or bamboo sprouts are the edible shoots (new bamboo culms that come out of the ground) of many bamboo species including Bambusa vulgaris and Phyllostachys edulis. They are used in numerous Asian dishes and broths. They are sold in various processed shapes, and are available in fresh, dried, and canned versions.
Raw bamboo shoots contain cyanogenic glycosides, natural toxins also contained in cassava.[1] The toxins must be destroyed by thorough cooking and for this reason fresh bamboo shoots are often boiled before being used in other ways. The toxins are also destroyed in the Canning process."
3. La Ceiba
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 131 reviews
In this magical place the nature has survived to the destructive madness of human. Here some men are putting all their efforts to save animals when others wanted to annihilate them. La Ceiba RN, 50hec. of Primary forest (Gandoca-Manzanillo National Refuge) where the Jaguar R. C. reintroduces the animals that come through the Jaguar RC. Day&night tours. Call 2750 0710 - [email protected]
Reviewed By Logan-Alyssa M
It was cool to visit a primary rainforest..it's so dense and filled with many animals..some dangerous so watch out! The guides are great at keeping you safe though so don't worry.
4. Playa Cocles
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 358 reviews
Reviewed By sfd812 - Dundas, Canada
This beach has always been amazing. Unfortunately it will take some time to get back to the way it use to be due to the earlier storms that have transformed many Beaches in this area. Any bad reviews will be from Newbies that have visited it for the first time. Pura Vida
5. Playa Chiquita
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 340 reviews
Reviewed By Mishka B - Bratislava, Slovakia
We truly enjoyed this beach, it is not that touristy and you can choose your spot to chill.There are 2 entrances, we walked through the tiny gate in forest for about 10 minutes until we reached the calm area.
6. Puerto Viejo Beach
Overall Ratings
4 based on 1 reviews
This public beach is popular with surfers.
7. Finca La Isla
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 104 reviews
Established in 1987 in an abandoned cacao farm the botanical garden is a permaculture farm with a mature collection of fruit and spice trees in production and lots of tropical flowers. Corridors of rainforest make it into a fascinating nature park. Visitors will be able to try a fresh fruit drink, taste fruits in season, sample homemade natural chocolate, and learn about medicinals and ethnobotanicals. Finca la Isla is a working farm producing black pepper, fruits, and ornamental plants in commercial quantities. Besides the opportunity to see very rare tropical plants visitors will learn about tropical crops like bananas, black pepper, and nutmeg. The botanical garden is one of the very best places in Costa Rica to see frogs in the wild. Our rainforest will provide the chance to see four different kinds of poison dart frogs, reptiles, toucans and many other birds, sloths, and the marvel of symbiosis and diversity that is the tropical rainforest. Visitors are guaranteed to see the red poison dart frog in the wild.
Reviewed By Louise_Lou_Me - Sydney, Australia
Lovely stroll around the property viewing lots of different fruit trees and plants. Saw lots of red poison dart frogs too! Got a nice fruit drink at the end and chatted to a lovely guy who is passionate about fruit and sustainability. Great value too, only $6!
8. Luluberlu Art Gallery
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 85 reviews
Luluberlu is a local Art Gallery and boutique in the centre of Puerto Viejo. It is the story of Lulu, a french artist famous for her mosaics, moving to Costa Rica. It's not just a place to shop, it's a place where you can discover the world of mosaics and art. The boutique with its workshop is definitely worth a visit. In the gallery you can purchase paintings of local Caribbean artist and national artists. Luluberlu offers a wide selection of handcrafted souvenirs, lamps, mosaics and jewellery. Besides art and souvenirs, you can find an exclusive collection of beachwear and bikinis created in the boutique and clothing of different national designers. Luluberlu is a versatile boutique where everyone can find something unique ! We now opened a restaurant in the garden of the gallery. So after shopping people can have a drink or eat something in our beautiful garden and admire the art pieces that are exposed in the back.
Reviewed By Jordan R
There is a decent range of pricing for both artwork and clothing. We bought a painting done on banana leaf paper for USD25. They have a range of souvenirs, knick-knacks, jewellery, paintings, clothing, swimwear and various other bits and pieces like mirrors and bags. The staff were quite pleasant. The only thing was the changing room was a bit awkward as the door is really small.
