{"id":8676,"date":"2011-01-28T17:23:53","date_gmt":"2011-01-28T22:23:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/?p=8676"},"modified":"2025-08-18T13:28:37","modified_gmt":"2025-08-18T17:28:37","slug":"costa-ricas-caribbean-coast","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadicmatt.com\/travel-blogs\/costa-ricas-caribbean-coast\/","title":{"rendered":"The Best Places on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Surfboards
\nLast Updated<\/strong>: 3\/17\/21 | March 17th, 2021<\/p>\n

Most travelers visiting Costa Rica<\/a> think the Pacific side of the country is the better coast to visit. The remote Osa Peninsula, the monkey-filled area of Manuel Antonio<\/a>, the surfing near Santa Theres, and the touristy Nicoya coast make it the superior choice.<\/p>\n

After all, the Caribbean coast has more rain, less wildlife, fewer \u201cmodern\u201d conveniences, and uglier beaches. No matter where you go, the Caribbean side just won\u2019t be as nice.<\/p>\n

Or so they say.<\/p>\n

But, having now been to both coasts multiple times, I\u2019m not sure what these people are talking about. Traveling down the Caribbean side, it is true it tends to be rainier, but it was no less beautiful or wonderful to explore. There’s lots of wildlife, plenty of places to party, and some beautiful beaches. <\/p>\n

Contrary to what you may have heard, there are plenty of worthwhile destinations to explore on this side of the country. Here are some of the best places to visit on Costa Rica’s Carribean coast:<\/p>\n

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Quick Highlights<\/p>\n

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  1. Best Place for Seeing Wildlife: Tortuguero<\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Best Surfing\/Partying: Puerto Viejo<\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Best Hiking: Cahuita <\/a><\/li>\n
  4. Best Diving: Manzanillo<\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Best Beach: Punta Uva<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div>\n

     <\/p>\n

    1. Tortuguero<\/a><\/h3>\n

    \"The
    \n    Tortuguero<\/a>, the Costa Rican version of the Amazon rainforest, dominates the northern coast of the country. This massive area is a series of rivers and canals that crisscross the jungle. <\/p>\n

    Not surprisingly, it rains here often. Although the beaches are beautiful, a full day of sunny beach weather is rare. To top it off, the currents are strong and toothy barracudas and sharks roam the waters so you won’t do much swimming anyways. <\/p>\n

    The biggest draw here is the large numbers of turtles (hence \u201cTortuguero,\u201d which means \u201cregion of turtles\u201d in Spanish) that come to nest along the shoreline. The best time to see them nesting is in April and May.<\/p>\n

    But, even during the off-season, Tortuguero offers a few places to go hiking, lots of canal cruises, and an abundance of wildlife (this area is known for its birds).<\/p>\n

    Tortuguero is not easy to get to nor is it cheap. It takes five hours to get there from San Jos\u00e9 and supplies are brought in by boat. Hence, it’s not a budget destination. <\/p>\n

    But, if it\u2019s something remote you\u2019re looking for in Central America<\/a>, Tortuguero\u2019s the place to go!<\/p>\n

    Top Attraction in Tortuguero<\/strong>: If you’re only going to do one thing during your visit, head to Tortuguero National Park. There are a couple of trails you can hike on through the park but boat tours of the area are pretty much the only way to get around since this is a river system. Admission to the park is $15 USD per person. <\/p>\n

    If you want a more in-depth experience, you can take an epic three-day tour with a naturalist guide<\/a> to learn more about the landscape and wildlife.<\/p>\n

    Where to Stay in Tortuguero<\/strong>: Aracari Garden Hostel<\/a> – With free Wi-Fi, a fully eqipped kichen, and spacious common area, this cool backpacker hostel is right next to the national park. The staff are friendly and the dorms are clean and spacious.
    \n <\/p>\n

    2. Puerto Viejo<\/a><\/h3>\n

    \"A
    \n    Puerto Viejo<\/a>is a rocking seaside town with a strong Caribbean feel. It’s the region’s main hub. It\u2019s easy to get sucked into the surfer\/party life here. I really like it despite the fact that it\u2019s touristy. The town is small, it\u2019s easy to get around, there are beaches everywhere, and there are a ton of good restaurants, ranging from local \u201csodas\u201d where you can buy cheap tico<\/em> food to amazing Western places with delicious baked bread or good sushi. <\/p>\n

    Top Attraction in Puerto Viejo<\/strong>: Make sure you visit the Jaguar Rescue Center while you’re here. It’s a foundation that works hard to rescue and rehabilitate animals and you can take a guided tour of the facility for $22 USD per person (kids under 10 are free). Tours last 90 minutes.<\/p>\n

    Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo<\/strong> – Rocking J’s<\/a> – Located on the beach outside of time, this hostel has a really chill vibe. They have surfboards and snorkeling gear for rent and organize all kinds of tours. It’s one of the best hostels in the country.<\/p>\n

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