ABOUT PUERTO VIEJO
Puerto Viejo has a strong Afro-Caribbean culture and feel. The culture here is also influenced by the Talamanca mountains, and the Bribri and Cabecar Indian indigenous people.

This quaint beach front community is more exposed to the sea than neighboring towns, which encourages shore side strolls, and dancing to live music in the evenings. Cabinas, cantinas, restaurants and craft stands line the shoreline with ever present reggae and calypso music in the backdrop. The palm and jungle fringed beaches with both black and white sand are good for both surfing and swimming. Puerto Viejo is a peaceful and diverse town offering many activities.

Regardless of how you like to travel, Puerto Viejo is an unforgettable vacation spot that is guaranteed to clear the mind from all the hustle and bustle back home.

GETTING HERE - DIRECTIONS
We are on the Caribbean seashore, approximately 30 miles north of the Panamanian border.

The closest major airport is in Limon, about 40 miles to the north.  There are 2 national airlines offering service between Limon and San Jose, Costa Rica's capitol.  We would be glad to help you book your flight and arrange for your car rental, taxi or shuttle needs.

If you're driving from San Jose, take the Caribbean Highway (32) to Limon.  In Limon, turn south onto Highway 36 at the Texaco gas station on your right (you can't miss it).  There are signs to Puerto Viejo before the station, and all along the coast as you drive south.

You can take the bus from San Jose, too.  The Terminal Gran Caribe Station has express and local buses daily both to Limon and on through to Puerto Viejo.   Several tour guides offer airport and hotel pickup and direct service here, too.

SOME THINGS TO DO IN AND AROUND PUERTO VIEJO

Boogie boarding - is popular and a good option for those who want to fully enjoy the waves without surfing.

Snorkeling and Diving - either off a boat or the coast. The underwater coral reefs and tropical fish are breathtaking (try Punta Uva, with calm waters and white sand).

INLAND - JUNGLES, FARMS, WATERFALLS, ETC.
Puerto Viejo is considered the gateway to the most bio-diverse region on the planet, found within the Talamanca mountain range.  Visit the beaches of Cocles and perhaps view a soccer game on the small fields often packed with locals on Sundays. Explore one of the indiginous Reservations and learn about these ancient yet still productive cultures.  Home Creek's Indian Reservation 4 km north of Puerto Viejo. Visit the Georgia Botanical Gardens. The owners have been growing spices, tropical fruits and ornamental plants for over 20 years. To the north the Butterfly Garden is a large screened garden representing many of the local butterflies in a natural environment. Also to the north, the Sloth Hospital helps sloths that have been hurt by cars, power lines, etc. They have a wonderful boat tour that takes you through the canals and lagoons where you can see sloths in the wild as well as other wildlife.

Bird Watching - This is one of the best places in the world to see a multitude of colorful birds. Many can be seen right from the hotel.  

Tours – There is a wide choice of tour types, provided by local guides and outfitters.  To fully view the plants and wildlife of the Caribbean coast, we recommend you take guided tours.

Canopy Tours - view the jungle from the top of the trees.

Farm Tours – Chocolate and Cacao demonstrations, medicinal and botanical gardens.  Local farmers demonstrate how crops are raised in a jungle environment, both by horse or by foot available.

Waterfalls - cool off in the water and enjoy the sites.

Turtle Watching - several options are available to see them and to learn how important they are to the local ecology.

River Rafting - if you want a thrill ride and to see beautiful jungle at the same time try this on your way back home. Most of the rafting trips include transport back to San José.

RESTAURANTS
Puerto Viejo has a diverse selection of foods, both local and international. European, Middle Eastern, Asian, US and of course the local flavors are all represented here. Small cafes, bakeries and street vendors offer various foods all over town.

 Our favorite restaurant is Trattoria de Cesare, located right behind Kaya's Place Hotel.  Soda Miss Lidia's has amazing Caribbean dishes with typical sides. Her chocolate cake is excellent. Loco Natural has exciting noveau cuisine, and has live music Wednesday through Sunday. For Asian food and sushi, Restaurante Stanfords has an extensive selection of exotic dishes. El Oro serves delicious seafood. Maxis in Manzanillo has lobster and red snapper at an excellent price. Bread and Chocolate, a local bakery, serves breakfast and lunch - everything is good.  Peace and Love serves great food all day. They have daily specials and a big breakfast for a reasonable price.

 It is not possible to mention all of the great spots to eat.  If you're looking for something special, ask around, it's here.

NIGHT LIFE
In the tropics, the sun goes down around six every day.  Puerto Viejo comes alive at night!

Stores, crafts vendors, restaurants, bars and discos all cater to those who enjoy the nightlife.  Johnny's Place has Ladies Night on Thursdays and is the most popular disco on Saturday nights.  Stanford's Discotheque also crowds up on weekends with an interesting mix of hit list music, salsa, soca and merengue.  TexMex has a big screen with two movies showing every night.  Mango Bar is a popular Sports Bar.

BE OUR ECO-GUEST
We hope you will enjoy it!

KAYA'S PLACE
PUERTO VIEJO, COSTA RICA