Best Puerto Viejo Beaches on Costa Rica’s Carribean Coast

Coming to the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica means relaxed reggae vibes, salsa dancing, and jungle playas. The beaches around this area are easily some of the most beautiful I’ve ever seen. They’re a combination of soft sand, salty waves, and tropical jungle vibes. Renting bikes is the best way to explore Puerto Viejo’s surrounding beaches. So, hop on a bike and check out these best Puerto Viejo beaches in Costa Rica.

Puerto Viejo Costa Rica’s Best Beaches

One of the things to do in Puerto Viejo is hop around to the numerous beaches along its lush coastline. Here are the must-visit Puerto Viejo playas.

Playa Cocles, Puerto Viejo

One of the most popular Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica beaches and hangout spots for locals and tourists alike is Playa Cocles. Located just past the main town of Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles is full of surfers, volleyball players, and avid slackliners. The beach is large and it offers both sunny and shady spots for those who like to stay out of Puerto Viejo’s strong sun.

At the end of Playa Cocles going towards Puerto Viejo, there’s a small trail that leads up to a cliff for a fantastic look out of the beach and Cocle’s tiny island.

Playa Punta Uva

Punta Uva is a glorious spot for snorkeling and water activities as there’s surrounding coral and interesting fish to be spotted. If you want adventure during your Puerto Viejo travels, definitely visit this lush anf leafy beach.

Bring your own equipment or rent snorkel gear from shops around the beach to enjoy Punta Uva’s sea. Though rather busy on the weekends, it’s best to head to Punta Uva during the weekdays if you have the free time.

Playa Grande

The name says it, it is indeed a large beach. However, Playa Grande is much more. It’s arguably one of the most stunning beaches in the Puerto Viejo area. The sand is bright and soft, the jungle lingers in the distance, and the water is clear and inviting.

Playa Grande is also a popular spot for surfing, so come here to enjoy some nice waves.

READ MORE: Things to Know Before Visiting Costa Rica’s Caribbean Side

Playa Chiquita

I love Playa Chiquita because it has many little trails that you can follow along to discover secluded beach spots. Though many of the secluded spots aren’t ideal for swimming because of the currents and coral, it’s still beautiful to look at and experience. The trail hugs the beach closely offering a combination of the jungle and beach at the same time. Look up in search for monkeys jumping from tree to tree.

Other parts of Playa Chiquita are ideal for swimming, too. The currents can be intense in some spots but it’s an overall gorgeous and calm beach.

Chino Beach, Puerto Viejo

Located right on the shore in the center of Puerto Viejo, Playa Chino is a busy beach surrounded by bars, restaurants, and shops. With a small shore, it’s a nice little beach for a quick swim without getting out of the town. There’s nice views of the town and you can jump from the boats into the water for added fun.

Looking for accommodation in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica?

Check out Selina Puerto Viejo’s beachfront hotel & hostel. It’s the heart of Puerto Viejo’s beauty with the beach and jungle perfectly surrounding it. There’s even live music, plus a bar and restaurant. My favorite part, though, are the teepees which were built with hand-made materials from nearby indigenous communities, guaranteeing a kind and eco-friendly accommodation in Puerto Viejo. Hop over to Selina Puerto Viejo to learn more.

Discover more of the best things to do in Puerto Viejo, CR here.

Map ’em!

Map courtesy of Wanderlog, a trip planner on iOS and Android

My Top Travel Recommendations ♡

These are a few of my top travel tips that will save you time and money while setting up for an AMAZING trip.

Booking flights: I almost exclusively use Google Flights. They have a cool feature where you can type in your departure airport and discover where you could fly within a certain budget. Otherwise, you can also compare airports and see what day is best to fly in/out to help you save money and have the most efficient flight path.

Travel insurance: SafetyWing is my go-to choice for travel insurance. They have a global policy that covers 180+ countries. You can visit any doctor, cancel anytime, and you’re even covered for a few weeks after returning to your home country.

Anti-theft bag: To help protect against pickpockets, I like to carry my beloved Travelon bag. It’s slash-resistant, has locked zippers, and is very sleek and functional for traveling abroad.

Accommodation: I love using Booking.com to find places to stay when traveling. Booking has everything from hotels and hostels to b&bs and entire house/apartment rentals.

Travel Credit Card: I love-love-love my Capital One Venture One credit card. It has a $0 annual fee and no fees when using abroad or paying in a foreign currency. Plus you get 20,000 bonus miles when you spend $500 in your first three months when you get this card.

Car rentals: I use DiscoverCars.com when renting a car. Great deals, customer support, and range of comapnies. You can save up to 70% via the website instead of booking a car directly.

Tours: I don’t travel on complete tours as I like to travel on my own terms, but I do like to book experiences and walking tours on GetYourGuide. They have an amazing line-up of things to do in destinations around the globe. You can also access skip-the-line tickets.

Hi there!
the sprited explorer portrait

Hi, I’m Christa! Welcome to my sustainable solo travel blog dedicated to inspiring others to travel slowly, embracing a heart-forward and spirited approach to adventure. 

-The Spirited Explorer

Popular Posts