Puerto Viejo resists the kind of overdevelopment that has softened the edges of other beach destinations. The road south toward Manzanillo winds past cacao farms, wildlife refuges, and near-empty beaches fringed by rainforest — a reminder that the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is still largely wild. The food here is distinct too: rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, fresh fish, and patacones reflect a proud Afro-Caribbean culinary tradition that sets this corner of the country apart.
Puerto Viejo’s Afro-Caribbean heritage shapes everything — the music, the food, the pace of life, the warmth of how visitors are received. It’s culturally one of the most interesting corners of Costa Rica and rewards travelers who take time to engage with it.
Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, and the beaches along the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are among the most beautiful and least crowded on Costa Rica’s entire coastline. Clear water, reef just offshore, and jungle pressing down to the sand.
The rainforest here comes right to the coast, and it shows. Sloths hang in the trees above the road. Howler monkeys announce the morning. Sea turtles nest on protected beaches. The Jaguar Rescue Center is one of the best wildlife rehabilitation operations in the country.
Le Cameleon Boutique Hotel
One of the Caribbean coast’s most distinctive properties, Le Cameleon brings genuine boutique sophistication to Playa Cocles. Chic, design-led interiors, a beautiful pool, and exceptional service set it apart — this is luxury that feels entirely at home in its tropical surroundings.
Hotel Aguas Claras
A collection of beautifully restored Caribbean cottages tucked into the gardens of Playa Chiquita, Aguas Claras is the kind of place you find yourself extending your stay. Colorful, intimate, and full of personality — it captures the soul of the Caribbean coast perfectly.