COSTA RICA
CARIBBEAN COAST

CARIBBEAN COAST

Costa Ricans will all agree that the Caribbean side of the country has a culture all its own. Besides the dominant Spanish language, the dialect used by many is patois--a.k.a. Patuâ--Creole-flavored English that has a strong Caribbean twist. Reggae music is played all day, and all around, people's energy seems to be in sync with the rhythm of the peaceful waves gently kissing the golden shore.
While most travelers tend to visit the Pacific side of Costa Rica for its larger array of lodging options, the South Caribbean of Costa Rica attracts people who search for a laid-back atmosphere and crowd-free beaches. On the Caribbean Coast the rainforest canopy is free from tall buildings that spoil the view. From the shore all you see is a long stretch of sand bordered by evergreen jungle on one side and clear water on the other, all topped with a brilliant blue sky.
Le Caméléon is located adjacent Playa Cocles, a beautiful sandy beach just 3 km (about 2 miles) away from the delightful coastal town of Puerto Viejo.

In Costa Rica will find plenty of exhilarating activities taking place in the greenest habitat and surrounded by exotic wildlife. A paradise for those who look for something different, a visit to Costa Rica provides a new life experience for all. In Costa Rica visitors will find everything they are looking for: adventure, sun, beaches, forest, wildlife and wellness, and much more.

The best way to begin planning an unforgettable vacation is getting firsthand information about the different certified activities and hotels available in the country. All the quick facts found in this section have gone through exhaustive verification for quality and safeness—to ensure our visitors will find the best of the best, in every area of the country.

One of the top destinations in Puerto Viejo is our very own NOA Beach Club. It is located directly on one of the prettiest beaches in Costa Rica: Playa Cocles.

QUICK FACTS ABOUT COSTA RICA

A Peaceful Country: In the Western Hemisphere, Costa Rica is the only country without an army or military of any kind.

Location: situated in the Central American isthmus, immediately north of Panama, with ports in both the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans and 153 highway miles between them.

Immense Diversity: Due to its geographical location, Costa Rica bridges the northern and southern most points of the two American contents. This makes Costa Rica the meeting point of a variety of cultures. It has a density of plant and animal species said to be unlike any other country in the world.

Population: 4.9 million
Density: 220 people per square mile
Life Expectancy: 76.1 years
Literacy Rate: 96.2%
Area: 51,000 square kilometers (19,652 sq. miles)
Country Capital: San José
Major Metropolitan Center: San José
Government: Constitutional
Languages Spoken: Spanish and English
Habitat: Ranges from humid lowland jungles to arid bare mountain peaks.
Length of the Pacific Coastline: 640 miles
Length of the Caribbean Coastline: 132 miles
Highest Point: Mount Chirripó
Hundreds of Birds: Costa Rica has approximately 850 bird species, 600 of which are non-migratory. Other birds migrate during the North American winter, stopping over in Costa Rica before continuing on to South America.
Plant Species: 9000
Insect Species: 34,000
Mammalian Species: 205
Reptilian Species: 220
Amphibian Species: 160

Abundance of Protected Land: Costa Rica is among the countries with the highest amount of protected land in the world; 25% of the national territory is dedicated to the national park system or biological, marine and land reserves, as well as other natural wildlife areas.

Healthy Environs: The best tourist beaches in Costa Rica have been awarded the Ecological Blue Flag , a distinction which ensures hygienic/ sanitary conditions and proper management.

Tourism Watchdog: Costa Rica has a Sustainable Tourism Certification (STC) program; its goal is to classify and certify tourism companies based on how well their operations match a sustainability model.

LE CAMELEON

PUERTO
VIEJO

LE CAMELEON

PUERTO
VIEJO

Costa Rica is a rugged, rainforested Central American country with coastlines on the Caribbean and Pacific. Though its capital, San Jose, is home to cultural institutions like the Pre-Columbian Gold Museum, Costa Rica is known for its beaches, volcanoes, and biodiversity. Roughly a quarter of its area is made up of protected jungle, teeming with wildlife including spider monkeys and quetzal birds. Costa Rica provides the perfect combination of relaxation, adventure, culture, fine cuisine and wildlife. Visitors find in Costa Rica an adventure paradise set in the most beautiful natural and safe environment. It is also the home of four World Heritage sites certified by UNESCO.

MUST-DO ACTIVITIES IN PUERTO VIEJO ,COSTA RICA

WHITE WATER RAFTING

From Puerto Viejo you can enjoy a one-day
whitewater rafting tour on the Pacuare River.
A true river gorge, the Pacuare is flanked
by steep, green walls and spectacular waterfalls. These are views you
won’t want to miss! Whitewater rafting on the Pacuare
River is a true escape into natural beauty. Connecting with these
stunning nature views will invigorate your spirit.

Waterfalls cascade into the river from both sides,
while colorful tropical birds fly right over your head.
Amazing views of virgin tropical rainforest appear before your eyes
as you raft down the clear river. Wildlife is abundant and you can
easily see sloths, toucans, parrots, butterflies, and colorful frogs.

swipe

SLOTH SANCTUARY

This highly recommended tour features a delightful
introduction to the wonderful world of the sloth.
One of the world’s most unique mammals, sloths inhabit Costa Rica’s
rainforest canopy. Included is a one-hour guided canoe ride
through the bayous of the Estrella River Delta. If you
watch closely, you may see wild sloths and other rainforest
creatures as you paddle through the bayou.

At the Sloth Sanctuary Learning Center, you’ll view a short video
about the sloth and meet some of our resident adult
sloths. Baby sloths also make their home here, and you’ll
get to meet them and hear their stories. No tour to the
Sloth Sanctuary would be complete without meeting
Buttercup, the Grande Dame of the Sloth Sanctuary.

This highly recommended tour features a delightful
introduction to the wonderful world of the sloth.
One of the world’s most unique mammals, sloths inhabit Costa Rica’s
rainforest canopy. Included is a one-hour guided canoe ride
through the bayous of the Estrella River Delta. If you
watch closely, you may see wild sloths and other rainforest
creatures as you paddle through the bayou.

VERAGUA RAINFOREST

Surround yourself with natural beauty at Veragua Rainforest,
located on a private reserve completely surrounded by
rainforest. This 1300-hectare (approximately 4000 acre)
private reserve is a buffer zone for La Amistad International
Park (“Friendship International Park”), which is
shared by Costa Rica and Panamá.

The park houses the largest indoor nocturnal frog exhibit in the
world, a butterfly garden, reptile vivarium, and a
hummingbird garden. Take a fascinating tram ride through
the rainforest canopy, or hike on one of the
spectacular walking trails through the rainforest and
discover a hidden waterfall. Bring your camera to capture
majestic panoramic views of La Amistad International Park.

Surround yourself with natural beauty at Veragua Rainforest,
located on a private reserve completely surrounded by
rainforest. This 1300-hectare (approximately 4000 acre)
private reserve is a buffer zone for La Amistad International
Park (“Friendship International Park”), which is
shared by Costa Rica and Panamá.
The park houses the largest indoor nocturnal frog exhibit in the
world, a butterfly garden, reptile vivarium, and a
hummingbird garden.

MANZANILLO BEACH

Manzanillo is a fishing village located within Gandoca-Manzanillo
Refuge, just a few miles south of Puerto Viejo. With golden
sand beach, tranquil water, stately palm trees, and splendid
coral reef, Manzanillo is the perfect spot for
snorkeling, swimming, sea kayaking, and scuba diving.
Dolphins can often be seen frolicking in the clear waters.

TROPICAL BIRD WATCHING

Why do so many bird watchers tour Costa Rica? Simply put:
Costa Rica is a bird watcher’s dream come true with over
850 species of birds. Here on the Caribbean Coast bird
watchers can find over half of Costa Rica’s native bird
species. Grab your binoculars and field notebook; you won’t
want to miss all the tropical bird watching near Puerto
Viejo.

HORSEBACK RIDING

Imagine galloping along a palm tree lined beach, venturing
through jungle trails, exploring abandoned cocoa
plantations…all while on horseback. If you have a desire to
get back in the saddle, then you’ll love horseback riding
tours in Costa Rica. There are many horseback riding tours
to choose from. You can ride on regular trails, through the
jungle, on the beach, through a cocoa plantation or a
combination of any of these.

Horseback riding in Costa Rica utilizes a saddle familiar to
western riders; however, the Costa Rican saddle is a bit
more streamlined. Grab your hat and pull on your boots
and giddy-up for an amazing horseback riding adventure in
Costa Rica!

Imagine galloping along a palm tree lined beach, venturing
through jungle trails, exploring abandoned cocoa
plantations…all while on horseback. If you have a desire to
get back in the saddle, then you’ll love horseback riding
tours in Costa Rica. There are many horseback riding tours
to choose from. You can ride on regular trails, through the
jungle, on the beach, through a cocoa plantation or a
combination of any of these.

SURFING

The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is known for world-class
surfing. The famous “Salsa Brava” waves start just beyond the
coral reef.

Around the area of Puerto Viejo and Playa Cocles are waves for
all levels. If you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, both
Black Beach and Playa Cocles offer nice waves on safe,
sandy bottom beaches.

If you’ve always wanted to learn how to surf, Costa Rica is the
place to do it, especially on the Caribbean Coast, where
you can learn from many expert surfers who call Costa Rica
home.

The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is known for world-class
surfing. The famous “Salsa Brava” waves start just beyond the
coral reef.
Around the area of Puerto Viejo and Playa Cocles are waves for
all levels. If you are a beginner or intermediate surfer, both
Black Beach and Playa Cocles offer nice waves on safe,
sandy bottom beaches.

SEA KAYAKING

Embark on a magical kayaking journey paralleling Costa Rica’s
coastal topography abundant with cliffs, caves, and
rainforest.

You will also have time for a nice break at the beach to relax,
swim, and enjoy.

SNORKELING

The best places for snorkeling in Costa Rica are the pristine
waters of Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-
Manzanillo Refuge.

Both of these sites have access to the Caribbean Coast’s live
coral reef, one of the most important bio-diverse locations in
Costa Rica. The colors and variety of sea creatures here will
amaze avid snorkelers.

SCUBA DIVING

Costa Rica’s barrier reef stretches from the town of Puerto Viejo
down to the Panamanian border and offers scuba divers
more than 25 fixed dive locations. You can scuba dive the
shallow coral gardens, or go on a scuba diving adventure to
deep, fringing reefs with vertical walls that drop to over 140
feet.

Angelfish, parrotfish, triggerfish, sharks and different species of
jack and snapper are among the 475 species of fish you
may encounter on your scuba dive. Brown and black coral,
sheet coral, and lettuce coral are a few of the 31 types of
coral that can also be seen. In Costa Rica, the best time of
the year for top diving conditions--good visibility (20-30
meters or 60-90 feet) and no current--are from mid January
through May and August through November.

Costa Rica’s barrier reef stretches from the town of Puerto Viejo
down to the Panamanian border and offers scuba divers
more than 25 fixed dive locations. You can scuba dive the
shallow coral gardens, or go on a scuba diving adventure to
deep, fringing reefs with vertical walls that drop to over 140
feet.

PUNTA UVA

Located between Playa Cocles and Manzanillo, Punta Uva is
situated within the natural reserve of Gandoca-Manzanillo.
The scenery here is postcard-like with gorgeous beach
views that stretch on for miles. The water is crystal clear and
generally calm, providing excellent swimming and
snorkeling conditions.

CHOCOLATE TOUR

If you love the sweet stuff, then let us arrange a chocolate tour
near Puerto Viejo. Doña Petronila and her hospitable family,
descendants of the Bribri Tribe, will take you on an amazing
chocolate tour. They will explain the history of cacao and
how it is processed using an ancient artisanal method
invented by the indigenous tribes of Costa Rica.

Learn how these tribes used this precious product, enjoy a
sample or two, and then buy some homemade chocolate to
savor later.

If you love the sweet stuff, then let us arrange a chocolate tour
near Puerto Viejo. Doña Petronila and her hospitable family,
descendants of the Bribri Tribe, will take you on an amazing
chocolate tour. They will explain the history of cacao and
how it is processed using an ancient artisanal method
invented by the indigenous tribes of Costa Rica.

GANDOCA-MANZANILLO
WILDLIFE REFUGE

The Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge stands out for the
beauty of its sandy beaches, gentle waves, coral reefs, and
vibrant tropical forests. The wildlife refuge’s extraordinary
biodiversity is comprised of many significant ecosystems.

The refuge protects several species of animals in danger of
extinction such as the manatee, crocodile, tapir, caiman,
and paca. Monkeys, birds, and sloths also make their home
here. A tour of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife
Refuge is a must-do activity in Costa Rica. Both nature
lovers and underwater enthusiasts will enjoy a day in this
remarkable location.

The Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge stands out for the
beauty of its sandy beaches, gentle waves, coral reefs, and
vibrant tropical forests. The wildlife refuge’s extraordinary
biodiversity is comprised of many significant ecosystems.

CANOPY TOUR

If you want to experience the vista of rainforest canopy the way
monkeys do, then you will want to book the Crazy Monkey
Canopy Ride in Cocles. This is pure adrenaline excitement
as you soar along the rainforest canopy, eventually arriving
at the golden beach endpoint where the jungle meets the
ocean.

Terra Aventuras Canopy Tour is located 30 minutes away from
Puerto Viejo, and they offer nine aerial platforms, 14 aerieal
ones, and 8,398 feet of cable. Your Canopy Tour Adventure
awaits!

If you want to experience the vista of rainforest canopy the way
monkeys do, then you will want to book the Crazy Monkey
Canopy Ride in Cocles. This is pure adrenaline excitement
as you soar along the rainforest canopy, eventually arriving
at the golden beach endpoint where the jungle meets the
ocean.

FISHING

Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast has waters filled with abundant
marine wildlife, especially fish. A standard fishing tour takes
approximately three hours, but the duration of the
voyage is negotiable. Fully equipped boats are available. Let
us book a boat for you today so you can fish for Barracuda,
Tarpon, Tuna, Kingfish, Snook, Jack…and more!

CAHUITA NATIONAL PARK

Situated on the Caribbean coastline in one of the most beautiful
and scenic regions in Costa Rica, Cahuita National Park is
located near the town of Cahuita, about 43 kilometers
(27 miles) south of Limón.

Cahuita’s main attractions are its white sand beaches fringed
with endless coconut trees, a calm sea of transparent
waters, and the shimmering coral reefs just offshore. The
most attractive feature for divers is the underwater garden
of marine life, including brain and elkhorn coral. Cahuita’s
National Park is very bio-diverse and is home to raccoons,
crabs (land and water), howler monkeys, kingfishers, night
herons, white-nosed coatis, frogs, toads and snakes.

Situated on the Caribbean coastline in one of the most beautiful
and scenic regions in Costa Rica, Cahuita National Park is
located near the town of Cahuita, about 43 kilometers
(27 miles) south of Limón.
Cahuita’s main attractions are its white sand beaches fringed
with endless coconut trees, a calm sea of transparent
waters, and the shimmering coral reefs just offshore.

DOLPHIN WATCHING

Visit the dolphins of Gandoca on a dolphin watching excursion
in Costa Rica’s warm waters. As you cruise the palm-fringed
beaches between Puerto Viejo and Gandoca, you
are likely to encounter the three species of dolphins in the
area: the bottle nose, the common and the spinner dolphin.

BOCAS DEL TORO, PANAMA

The Bocas del Toro Islands are located right across the Costa
Rican border in the Caribbean area of Panama, about three
hours south of the town of Puerto Viejo.

Bocas del Toro is known for its impressive biodiversity, due in
part to the great expanse of coral reef that surrounds the
islands. Snorkeling here is a fantastic experience. As you
sail through the islands, many different species of coastal
birds may be seen.

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