Caribbean Coast

The wildness of the Caribbean Coast thwarted 16th-century Spaniards in their quest to settle here and isolated the region for centuries afterward, making it distinctly different from the rest of Costa Rica. Influenced by indigenous peoples and West Indian immigrants, the Caribbean's culture has blended slowly and organically.

It does take a little more effort to travel here to see the nesting turtles of Tortuguero, raft the Río Pacuare or dive the reefs off Manzanillo, but you'll be glad you made the trip. Nature has thrived on this rugged and rustic coast – many visitors will meet resident sloths, hear the call of howler monkeys and spot alligators on the vast network of canals. Others tuck into the area's unique flavors, such as jerk chicken, grilled snapper and rondón (spicy seafood gumbo); listen to the lilt of patois; and laze around on the uncrowded palm-lined beaches.

Explore Caribbean Coast

Playa Negra
At the northwestern end of Cahuita, Playa Negra is a long, black-sand beach flying the bandera azul ecológica, a flag that indicates that the beach is…
Punta Uva
Off a dirt road marked by Punta Uva Dive Center is a quiet, idyllic cove that could double for a scene in the film The Beach. When the water is calm, it…
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Playa Cocles
Playa Cocles has waves for surfers who aren't keen to break skin and bones at nearby Salsa Brava (Costa Rica's biggest break). Instead, it has steep lefts…
Parque Nacional Tortuguero
This misty, green coastal park sits on a broad floodplain parted by a jigsaw of canals. Referred to as the ‘mini-Amazon,’ Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a…
Jaguar Centro de Rescate
Named in honor of its original resident, a jaguar, this well-run wildlife-rescue center in Playa Chiquita now focuses mostly on other animals, including…
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Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo
This little-explored refuge – called Regama for short – protects nearly 70% of the southern Caribbean coast, extending from Manzanillo all the way to the…
A
Aiko-logi
Nestled into the Cordillera de Talamanca, 15km outside Puerto Viejo, this private 135-hectare reserve is centered on a former finca (farm), on land…
T
Tree of Life
This lovingly maintained wildlife center and botanical garden 3km northwest of town rescues and rehabilitates animals while promoting conservation through…
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Reserva Biológica Hitoy-Cerere
Only the most intrepid of nature enthusiasts will make the journey to Hitoy-Cerere, about 60km south of Puerto Limón and only accessible by 4WD along a…

Playa Negra
At the northwestern end of Cahuita, Playa Negra is a long, black-sand beach flying the bandera azul ecológica, a flag that indicates that the beach is…
Punta Uva
Off a dirt road marked by Punta Uva Dive Center is a quiet, idyllic cove that could double for a scene in the film The Beach. When the water is calm, it…
P
Playa Cocles
Playa Cocles has waves for surfers who aren't keen to break skin and bones at nearby Salsa Brava (Costa Rica's biggest break). Instead, it has steep lefts…
Parque Nacional Tortuguero
This misty, green coastal park sits on a broad floodplain parted by a jigsaw of canals. Referred to as the ‘mini-Amazon,’ Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a…
Jaguar Centro de Rescate
Named in honor of its original resident, a jaguar, this well-run wildlife-rescue center in Playa Chiquita now focuses mostly on other animals, including…
R
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo
This little-explored refuge – called Regama for short – protects nearly 70% of the southern Caribbean coast, extending from Manzanillo all the way to the…
A
Aiko-logi
Nestled into the Cordillera de Talamanca, 15km outside Puerto Viejo, this private 135-hectare reserve is centered on a former finca (farm), on land…
T
Tree of Life
This lovingly maintained wildlife center and botanical garden 3km northwest of town rescues and rehabilitates animals while promoting conservation through…
R
Reserva Biológica Hitoy-Cerere
Only the most intrepid of nature enthusiasts will make the journey to Hitoy-Cerere, about 60km south of Puerto Limón and only accessible by 4WD along a…

Latest Stories from Caribbean Coast

Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Caribbean Coast.

See
Playa Negra
At the northwestern end of Cahuita, Playa Negra is a long, black-sand beach flying the bandera azul ecológica, a flag that indicates that the beach is…
See
Punta Uva
Off a dirt road marked by Punta Uva Dive Center is a quiet, idyllic cove that could double for a scene in the film The Beach. When the water is calm, it…
See
Playa Cocles
Playa Cocles has waves for surfers who aren't keen to break skin and bones at nearby Salsa Brava (Costa Rica's biggest break). Instead, it has steep lefts…
See
Parque Nacional Tortuguero
This misty, green coastal park sits on a broad floodplain parted by a jigsaw of canals. Referred to as the ‘mini-Amazon,’ Parque Nacional Tortuguero is a…
See
Jaguar Centro de Rescate
Named in honor of its original resident, a jaguar, this well-run wildlife-rescue center in Playa Chiquita now focuses mostly on other animals, including…
See
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo
This little-explored refuge – called Regama for short – protects nearly 70% of the southern Caribbean coast, extending from Manzanillo all the way to the…
See
Aiko-logi
Nestled into the Cordillera de Talamanca, 15km outside Puerto Viejo, this private 135-hectare reserve is centered on a former finca (farm), on land…
See
Tree of Life
This lovingly maintained wildlife center and botanical garden 3km northwest of town rescues and rehabilitates animals while promoting conservation through…
See
Reserva Biológica Hitoy-Cerere
Only the most intrepid of nature enthusiasts will make the journey to Hitoy-Cerere, about 60km south of Puerto Limón and only accessible by 4WD along a…

Guidebooks

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