Puerto Viejo Costa Rica de Talamanca is a Caribbean dream travel destination of perfect beaches, fabulous surfing and a laid-back attitude. This is a surfer's paradise and is recommended for experts only. Puerto Viejo is about 55-km (35 mi) south of Puerto Limon.

The nightlife and restaurant scene in Puerto Viejo is good and a significant number of expats have moved to Puerto Viejo.

The Afro-Caribbean presence is strong here and the smells of coconut and sounds of reggae is part of the charm in Puerto Viejo.

Puerto Viejo is a small town with one long paved road that follows the coastline. It is crowded with surf shops, open-air bars and ice-cream parlors. There are many kilometers of beach stretching in both directions from town. Swimmers need to be aware of the rip tide, as it's very dangerous at many locations but especially at Salsa Brava.

Travelers to the region could use Puerto Viejo as a base and visit other travel destinations from here. It offers sufficient services to serve as a base.

Puerto Viejo Costa Rica travel services are as follows:

• Visiting the tropical work farm of Finca la Isla Botanical is an opportunity to see tropical fruit and ornamental plants where birds and wildlife hangout.
• Touring the small tropical nursery called Jungles of Talamanca offers a chance to try delicious chocolate or rich cocoa butter
• Surfing one of the local beaches including the famed Salsa Brava or impressive Playa Cocles.
• Swimming the entire southern Caribbean coast where there are picture-perfect beaches such as Playa Negra, Cocles, Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo.
• Snorkeling at Punta Uva or Manzanillo when conditions are calm.
• Diving at the coral gardens where hundreds of species of fish including angelfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, sharks and jack and snapper can be seen.
• Hiking is best at nearby Cahuita National Park and the National Refuge of Vida Silvestre

Dangers & Annoyances in Puerto Viejo

There's a growing scene of drug dealers and petty crime in Puerto Viejo. Protect your personal belongings, especially late at night. Use hotel safety deposit boxes and common sense.

Puerto Viejo Costa Rica hotels are as follows:

• Puerto Viejo Costa Rica Hotels — Monte Sol offers rooms and bungalows a few feet from the beach. It's located on the south end of town and there's a bar.
• Puerto Viejo Costa Rica Hotels — Rocking J's offers cabinas, dorms, camping, and a treehouse. There's a communal kitchen, restaurant and lounge.
• Puerto Viejo Costa Rica Hotels — Bungalows Calalu is only 100m from the beach and close to downtown. The amenities include a beautiful garden and lovely pool. The bungalows are very clean and charming.
• Puerto Viejo Costa Rica Hotels — Apartamentos Agapi is located on the ocean and offers clean apartments with balconies, hot water, private bath, fans and tv.