The Caribbean Coast
Including Cahuita National Park, Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Puerto Viejo
As you would expect the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is stunning. The beautiful coast is lined with sandy beaches, swaying palm trees and lush rainforest. Experience a fusion of cultures here with strong Jamaican influences.
With the famous Tortuguero National Park to the north, there is also plenty to see and do in the southern reaches of this region, the hub of Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean community with some Italian and German influences thrown into the mix. It all seems to happen at a much more relaxed pace on this coastline.
Reasons to Plan The Caribbean Coast Tour
- Chilling – Experience the laid back lifestyle, culture and food of the Caribbean coast in Cahuita National Park, or any of the beaches in the area for that matter.
- Snorkelling – Explore the coral reefs and discover another side to the Caribbean coastline.
- Surfing – Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is where surfers used to congregate to surf the famous Salsa Brava, one of the biggest breaks in the Costa Rica caribbean coast tour.
- Culture – Immerse yourself in the unique fusion of colourful and laidback culture that this area has to offer – it is like no other, anywhere!
- Indigenous Villages – It is possible to visit indigenous villages in the Bribri area for another insight into Costa Rica and her people.
- Wildlife viewing – there’s plenty to see in both Cahuita and the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife refuge.
- Beaches – There is nothing more relaxing than lying on the beach, listening to the sounds of the surf, shaded from the hot sun by an umbrella or a palm tree.
- Cahuita National Park – There are some fantastic hiking trails here, pristine beaches full of wildlife with safe spots marked for swimming as well as the coral reef which lends itself to some of the best snorkelling in the area (but to preserve the reef, you will need to hire a guide to snorkel).
- Puerto Viejo (de Talamanca) – Stunning beaches perfect for surfing with a lovely laid back West Indian vibe mixed with Costa Rican Culture.
- Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge – The relaxed village of Manzanillo is encompassed within the wildlife refuge. Regulations on building and development mean this little town has held onto its roots in Afro-Caribbean culture and has a quaint non-hurried kind of atmosphere.