CaribbeanCoast CostaRica
3
Day Itinerary •
Costa Rica
Three days on the Costa Rica Caribbean Coast delivers the most extraordinary Afro-Caribbean cultural and wildlife experience in Central America, where the remarkable Tortuguero National Park boat channels teem with extraordinary river wildlife, the extraordinary Cahuita National Park has the finest coral reef in Costa Rica, and the remarkable Afro-Caribbean culture of Puerto Viejo brings extraordinary reggae music, fine Caribbean cooking and the finest chocolate in Costa Rica. This focused route covers the essential Caribbean Coast. The extraordinary Tortuguero canal system with remarkable caimans, sloths and river otters, the fine Cahuita National Park coral reef snorkelling, the extraordinary Jaguar Rescue Centre near Puerto Viejo, the remarkable Punta Uva beach and the extraordinary Bribri indigenous chocolate farm tour in the remarkable Caribbean jungle.
Best Time To Visit
February to April and September to October for drier Caribbean
Getting There
Fly into SJO, then bus or boat to Caribbean coast
Getting Around
Boat in Tortuguero, hired car or bus on Caribbean coastal road
Budget Per Day
Approx 60 to 150 USD per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, flat boat channels and beach walking
DAY 1
TORTUGUERO
MORNING
TORTUGUERO CANAL WILDLIFE BOAT TOUR
The most extraordinary wildlife boat tour in Costa Rica, navigating the remarkable Tortuguero canal system through the extraordinary Caribbean lowland rainforest. The fine series of canals is home to extraordinary caimans sunning on logs, fine three-toed sloths hanging over the water, remarkable Amazon kingfishers, outstanding great green macaws in the canopy and the fine river otters hunting the shallows. The finest wildlife boat tour accessible from San Jose. Tours from 6am. 30 min boat
MIDDAY
TORTUGUERO VILLAGE AND SEA TURTLE CONSERVATION
The extraordinary Tortuguero village, accessible only by boat or plane, a remarkable Afro-Caribbean community living among the extraordinary turtle nesting beaches. The remarkable Caribbean Conservation Corporation museum tells the outstanding story of Archie Carr's extraordinary green sea turtle research from 1955. The fine village atmosphere and remarkable Caribbean culture are the finest on the Costa Rica coast. 1.5 hours boat
AFTERNOON
ARRIVAL AT CAHUITA AND CARIBBEAN CULTURE
The extraordinary arrival at Cahuita, the most authentic Afro-Caribbean village in Costa Rica, a remarkable black Creole community with an extraordinary mix of reggae music, fine Caribbean patois, outstanding calypso culture and the remarkable Creole cooking tradition of rice and beans in coconut milk.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary moonlit sea turtle nesting watch at Tortuguero from July to October, when remarkable giant green sea turtles of up to 180kg emerge from the Caribbean to lay extraordinary clutches of 100 eggs, is the finest wildlife experience in Costa Rica. Book months ahead through certified CCC guides only. The remarkable sight of a turtle covering her nest at dawn is extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Tortuguero lodge Breakfast at the extraordinary lodge before the dawn canal tour. | Lunch: Turtle Village cafe Fine Caribbean rice and beans and fresh fish at a remarkable Tortuguero village restaurant. | Dinner: Miss Edith's, Cahuita The most celebrated restaurant on the Caribbean Coast. Extraordinary Caribbean Creole cooking since 1979.
DAY 2
CAHUITA
MORNING
CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK CORAL REEF SNORKEL
The most extraordinary coral reef in Costa Rica, a remarkable 22,400-hectare marine park protecting the finest coral garden on the Caribbean coast, with outstanding visibility of up to 15 metres. The remarkable wildlife includes extraordinary hawksbill sea turtles, fine nurse sharks resting under the coral, the remarkable spotted eagle ray and the extraordinary parrotfish in the living coral. Entry by donation. 30 min drive
MIDDAY
CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK WILDLIFE TRAIL
The extraordinary 8km coastal trail through Cahuita rainforest, the finest combination of beach and jungle trail in Costa Rica, where remarkable white-faced capuchins forage on the beach, fine three-toed sloths hang in cecropia trees overhanging the path and the extraordinary collared peccary herds move through the forest. 1 hour drive
AFTERNOON
PUERTO VIEJO AND AFRO-CARIBBEAN CULTURE
The extraordinary Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, the finest culture town on the Costa Rica Caribbean, where remarkable Afro-Caribbean Creole culture, outstanding Rastafarian community and the fine Bribri indigenous culture create the most extraordinary cultural diversity in Costa Rica. The remarkable Caribbean music scene and fine local chocolate are the finest evening experience.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Hone Creek organic cacao farm 5km from Cahuita, producing remarkable single-origin Caribbean chocolate from the extraordinary Theobroma cacao trees under the primary rainforest canopy, is the finest small-scale cacao producer on the coast. Visits by appointment. The remarkable explanation of cacao used by the Bribri people for 4,000 years is extraordinary.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cahuita hotel Good breakfast before the morning reef snorkel. Check tide times at the park office. | Lunch: Cahuita soda after snorkel Outstanding fresh Caribbean ceviche and pipa fria coconut water at a Cahuita soda. | Dinner: Selvin's Restaurant, Puerto Viejo The finest Caribbean restaurant in Puerto Viejo. Extraordinary lobster and rice and beans in coconut milk.
DAY 3
PUERTO VIEJO
MORNING
JAGUAR RESCUE CENTRE
The extraordinary Jaguar Rescue Centre near Puerto Viejo, the finest wildlife rehabilitation centre on the Caribbean Coast, caring for remarkable baby sloths, fine spider monkeys, outstanding kinkajous, extraordinary toucans and remarkable porcupines. The extraordinary close-up encounters with recovering sloths and the fine rehabilitation process are the finest wildlife experience near Puerto Viejo. Entry approx 15 USD. 20 min drive
MIDDAY
PUNTA UVA BEACH AND CARIBBEAN SNORKEL
The extraordinary Punta Uva, the finest beach in Costa Rica, a remarkable arc of white sand with extraordinary calm Caribbean water backed by outstanding primary rainforest. The fine Punta Uva headland coral formations offer the finest snorkelling in the southern Caribbean with remarkable sea turtles and nurse sharks. Almost completely undeveloped. 30 min drive
AFTERNOON
BRIBRI INDIGENOUS CHOCOLATE FARM TOUR
The extraordinary Bribri indigenous chocolate farm tour in the remarkable Talamanca territory, where the remarkable Bribri people demonstrate the extraordinary traditional cacao growing and preparation practiced for thousands of years. The fine grinding on volcanic stone metates and the extraordinary ceremonial chocolate drink are the finest indigenous cultural experience on the Caribbean Coast. Tours approx 30 USD.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The extraordinary Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge south of Manzanillo village is the finest and least visited protected area on the Caribbean Coast, with remarkable coral reef snorkelling and the extraordinary manatee population in the Gandoca lagoon. The fine Manzanillo village at the road end is the most authentic Caribbean community in Costa Rica. Almost no tourists reach it.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Hotel breakfast Good breakfast before the Jaguar Rescue Centre. | Lunch: Punta Uva restaurant Outstanding Caribbean lobster and coconut rice at a fine Punta Uva beachside restaurant. | Dinner: La Pecora Nera, Puerto Viejo Outstanding Italian-Caribbean fusion restaurant. The finest dinner on the Caribbean Coast.
DAY 4
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
DAY 5
MORNING
MIDDAY
AFTERNOON
💎 HIDDEN GEM
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Where To Stay
Tortuguero, Night 1 Tortuga Lodge or Pachira Lodge. Canal views. Approx 150 to 350 USD all-inclusive. Puerto Viejo, Night 2 Kaya's Place or La Costa de Papito. Caribbean atmosphere. Approx 60 to 200 USD. Budget Tortuguero hostel guesthouses or Chi-Chi's Place Puerto Viejo. Approx 20 to 50 USD per night.
Top Tips
1. Tortuguero is accessible only by boat or plane. Book a package tour from San Jose or arrive via Moin dock.
2. Green sea turtle nesting at Tortuguero runs July to October. Book certified guide night tours months ahead.
3. Cahuita reef snorkel entry is by donation. The park often limits visitor numbers. Go early.
4. The Caribbean Coast gets more rain than the Pacific. September and October are drier windows.
5. Punta Uva is the finest beach in Costa Rica. Go on a weekday for the finest quiet experience.
6. The Bribri chocolate tour is the finest cultural experience on the Caribbean. Book 24 hours ahead.
Total Budget
60 to 485 USD/day