Cahuita

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a surf and beach town on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast, close to the Panama border and about four to four and a half hours' drive from San José. You come here for the beaches between Cocles and Manzanillo, for rainforest right on the coast, and for the Afro-Caribbean influenced cuisine.The town belongs to the Talamanca canton in Limón Province. Locals usually just say "Puerto Viejo"; do not confuse it with Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí in the north of the country. In front of the town center, the Salsa Brava wave breaks over a reef, considered one of the most powerful in the country and reserved for experienced surfers.To the southeast, Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, and Punta Uva line up, and at the end of the road lies the fishing village of Manzanillo on the edge of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The small town beach, Playa Puerto Viejo, with its natural rock pools, is suitable for families; some other beaches have strong currents. To the north lies Cahuita National Park.Beyond the beach, cocoa tours, a visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center, and excursions to Bribri communities in the hinterland are available. Many travelers stay for several days, and the range of accommodations, cafés, and bars is correspondingly wide.

The Caribbean coast encompasses the Limón province in eastern Costa Rica, from the Tortuguero canals in the north to the border with Panama in the south. This is where you go for rainforest that stretches right to the beach, for nesting sea turtles, and for an Afro-Caribbean culture that distinctly differs from the rest of the country.The city of Limón is located approximately 170 kilometers from San José; the road leads through the Zurquí Tunnel and Braulio Carrillo National Park. The north, around Tortuguero, is only accessible by boat or plane; you reach the Southern Caribbean, with Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, via the coastal road south of Limón.Many residents are descendants of Jamaican workers who arrived in the late 19th century for railway and banana plantations. Additionally, there are Chinese immigrants, and in the south, the indigenous Bribri and Cabécar people. Calypso, Reggae, and a cuisine featuring coconut milk define the region.

Irazú Volcano National Park is located in the Cordillera Central above Cartago, in the east of the Central Valley. You come here to walk right up to the rim of several craters, which are among Costa Rica's most easily accessible volcanic landscapes.Irazú stands at 3,432 meters. The National Park was founded on August 9, 1955. An eruption, which began in March 1963 and lasted about two years, covered San José and large parts of the highlands with ash.At the summit are several craters, including the Main Crater, the Diego de la Haya Crater, and the small, ash-covered Playa Hermosa Crater. During the rainy season, water collects in the Main Crater and Diego de la Haya, forming colorful lagoons. On very clear days, both the Caribbean and the Pacific can be seen from the summit; such days are rare, as clouds usually hang over the peak from late morning.The park also includes the Prusia sector, a former forest reserve where reforestation has taken place and hiking trails lead through the mountain forest. Tickets are available exclusively online via the SINAC reservation system, with a fixed entry time slot. Before your visit, check there for current opening hours and whether all sectors are accessible.At over 3,000 meters, it is cold and windy, even in the tropics. Bring warm clothing and rain gear, and come early to see the craters before the clouds roll in.

Tortuguero is a national park and a small village on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast, accessible only by boat or small plane. You come here for boat tours through a network of rainforest canals and lagoons, and for the sea turtles that lay their eggs on the beaches.The national park was founded in 1975 and covers approximately 312 square kilometers. On its beaches, Green Sea Turtles, Leatherback Sea Turtles, Hawksbill Sea Turtles, and Loggerhead Sea Turtles nest. The Green Sea Turtle is the most common and arrives from July to October, peaking in September and October; Leatherback Turtles nest less frequently and from March to May.The village, with around 1,200 inhabitants, is located on a narrow strip of land between the Caribbean and the canal. A car-free path connects the boat dock with the ranger station at the south end of the village. At the north end, the Sea Turtle Conservancy, which began its research in Tortuguero in 1959, operates a small visitor center with a museum.The park is best experienced via its waterways. Guided canoe or boat tours show you monkeys, sloths, birds, and caimans, which you often miss on your own; you can also rent kayaks yourself. On land, there are only a few, often muddy paths. Admission for foreign visitors costs 15 US dollars and is purchased online from SINAC; the ticket is valid for land and water trails.Turtle observation on the beach is only permitted at night with a certified guide. Cameras and white light are prohibited, and dark clothing is expected. Not far from the village rises the 119-meter-high Cerro Tortuguero, an old volcanic cone with panoramic views over canals and coastline.

Uvita is a small town on Costa Rica's southern Pacific coast and the main gateway to the Marino Ballena National Marine Park. You come here for the whale tail beach of Punta Uvita and for whale watching boat tours; from San José, you'll reach it via the Costanera Sur in about three and a half to four hours.The town itself is situated along the coastal road and stretches from the main road into the hilly hinterland. Supermarkets, cafés, restaurants, and tour operators are close to each other, so those staying centrally can reach many places on foot. The beach and national park are just a few minutes away.The sea off Uvita is part of the Marino Ballena National Park. Humpback whales migrate past the coast from approximately July to October and from December to April; you can book tours with local providers. The Punta Uvita Tombolo can only be accessed at low tide, as the tides dictate daily life here.Uvita also serves as a great base for excursions along the Costa Ballena, for example, to beaches like Playa Ventanas or to the Nauyaca Waterfalls, which are about an hour's drive away.