Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Puerto Viejo?
Should you spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Puerto Viejo?
Many travelers spend two to three days in Puerto Viejo during their visit. After all, the laid back town has plenty to explore such as the beaches, the nightlife scene, and scuba diving and snorkeling.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a town on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. It's a beach destination with a local vibe and less tourism than the beach towns on the Pacific side of the country. Visitors enjoy the relaxed atmosphere and local restaurants around town. It's also located near Cahuita National Park, which has rainforests, wildlife, and coral reefs.
Do you have 3, 4, or 5 days to visit Puerto Viejo? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is 3 days enough time in Puerto Viejo?
Many visitors choose to spend around three days in Puerto Viejo. This would give you the chance to experience the city's most popular activities such as the beaches, the nightlife scene, and scuba diving and snorkeling. Also, you'd have some time to relax at the beach, too. Since many visitors prefer to spend around two to three days here, we have a few suggestions of things to do in the laid back town.
How to spend 3 days in Puerto Viejo
The beautiful beaches await you in Puerto Viejo, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The beaches in the area are beautiful and offer great waves for surfing and patches of coral reef for snorkeling. Many of the beaches are lined with forest and have a more laid back and less developed atmosphere than the beaches on the Pacific side.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest ($58)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. It's a laid back town during the day and at night there's a chill but lively atmosphere. You'll find a few bars and clubs that have live music, and it's not hard to find something interesting to do.
Puerto Viejo is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the town, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. It's a small town that's easy to explore on foot.
The surrounding waters are great for scuba diving and snorkeing, so spend some time in the water to see nature up close. You'll find the best snorkeling in Cahuita National Park, where you'll see coral and colorful fish. There's a dive shop in town as well, but most people enjoy the snorkeling in the area more.
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. Many restaurants have a local atmosphere and serve typical Costa Rican food or seafood. You'll find no shortage of rice and beans!
The public transit in Puerto Viejo is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the town quite easily and affordably. There are buses that travel the longer distances, but most people walk or bike around town.
Known for it's hiking, Puerto Viejo sees plenty of visitors looking to get outdoors. Spend a day exploring the natural beauty and scenery on a nearby hike. The hike through nearby Cahuita National Park is a highlight for many visitors. It wanders along the coastline and takes about three hours to walk. You'll likely see some wildlife during your walk.
Puerto Viejo is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. The beaches are beautiful and lined with rainforests. There's also easy access to the beautiful Cahuita National Park.
Is 4 days enough time in Puerto Viejo?
Four days is more than enough time to enjoy the beach and other activities in Puerto Viejo. You can move at your own pace and relax at your hotel and on the beach. You could also use Puerto Viejo as a base for exploring the nearby destinations. You'll find some great day trips in the region worth doing.
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
How to spend 4 days in Puerto Viejo
With 4 days in Puerto Viejo, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the town has to offer.
The small-town atmosphere of Puerto Viejo is one of the main reasons that visitors come here. Spend at least part of your day exploring the town to see the many sights and attractions. It's held on to its small town vibe and there's an authenticity that is often lacking on the Pacific side of Costa Rica.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
Is 5 days enough time in Puerto Viejo?
Five days provides ample opportunity in Puerto Viejo to enjoy the beaches, the nightlife scene, scuba diving and snorkeling, and the hiking. Then you can use the city as a convenient base for venturing into nearby destinations where you'll discover exciting day trip options. We have some suggestions below for your trip. Families, couples, and backpackers enjoy the area for its activities, too.
How to spend 5 days in Puerto Viejo
If you have more than 5 days in Puerto Viejo, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the town has to offer.
Shopping in Puerto Viejo is very popular, and it's easy to see why. Spend time exploring the many shops and boutiques to find the perfect gift, souvenir, or outfit. You can wander through the town center and enjoy shopping at the local boutiques that sell clothes and other touristy items.
Because the nightlife scene is so popular here, you'll want to take full advantage of it more than once. From the bars and pubs to the nightclubs, there's something for everyone. Or, get some tickets to another show at the theatre such as a ballet or opera.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Puerto Viejo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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