Weather in Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is the liveliest town on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, where surf breaks like Salsa Brava draw a serious crowd, reggae and dancehall spill from beach bars, and a patchwork of Afro-Caribbean, Bribrí indigenous, and expat cultures gives the place a distinct identity within the country. Bicycles are the main transport along the coast road to Cocles and Punta Uva, where the beaches turn quieter and the jungle presses right up to the sand.

Best areas to stay in Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo town

The main hub, with surf shops, reggae bars, and a beach right in town including the famous Salsa Brava break.

Cocles

A beach just east of town with a more consistent surf break and a growing number of guesthouses and restaurants.

Punta Uva

A calmer, jungle-backed beach further along the coast, good for swimming and snorkelling.

Manzanillo

A small village at the end of the coast road, gateway to the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Puerto Viejo

✈

Flights

Fly into San José (SJO) and drive or take a direct bus to Puerto Viejo, around 4-4.5 hours.

⏱

From London

~12-13 hours from London via a US connection, plus the onward drive.

🚕

Getting around

Bicycles are the classic way to get along the coast road between Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Punta Uva and Manzanillo.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time to visit Puerto Viejo?

September and October tend to be the driest months on the Caribbean coast, though rain is possible year-round — the surf at Salsa Brava is best from December to March.

How do I get to Puerto Viejo?

Drive or take a direct bus from San José, around 4-4.5 hours via Limón, or combine with a stop in Cahuita just up the coast.

Is Puerto Viejo good for surfing?

Yes — Salsa Brava is a well-known and powerful reef break for experienced surfers, while Playa Cocles offers a more manageable beach break for intermediates.

What's the cultural mix like in Puerto Viejo?

The area has a strong Afro-Caribbean heritage alongside Bribrí indigenous communities in the nearby hills, giving the food, music, and language a different flavour to the rest of Costa Rica.

Is Puerto Viejo good value?

It offers a wide range from backpacker hostels to boutique jungle lodges, generally cheaper than the Pacific's resort areas though prices rise in peak season.

Traveler reviews

★★★★★

Surfed Cocles most mornings and watched the more experienced surfers tackle Salsa Brava in town, brilliant atmosphere. The Caribbean food here was some of the best we had in Costa Rica.

Connor B. · March 2024

★★★★★

Cycled out to Punta Uva and Manzanillo and the beaches just got better the further we went. Such a different vibe to the Pacific coast, really laid-back and musical.

Ines D. · September 2023

★★★★☆

Stayed in a jungle cabina near Cocles and woke up to howler monkeys most mornings. Town itself can get a bit lively at night but in a fun way.

Greg T. · February 2024