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Trip Report

Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast - Unveiling Paradise in Puerto Viejo and Parque Nacional Cahuita

Exploring the Carribean coast of Costa Rica. Working at a yoga retreat , spending hours on the wild natural beaches, and discovering the jungles filled with Costa Rican wildlife.

  • Horsebackriding in Cahuita!+ 6
  • SOCCA Restaurant with some other hostel folks
  • Cahuita national Park
  • Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast - Unveiling Paradise in Puerto Viejo and Parque Nacional Cahuita
mirimesh
About Me:I love exploring discovering new things about myself and the world around me! read more

North AmericaCosta Rica26 days / February - March 2023

Highs & Lows

Horsebackriding on the beach in Cahuita!

It rained almost everyday.

Itinerary Overview

I volunteered  at a yoga retreat center called Tierra De Suenos,  in Puerto Viejo. There I  workEd in the kitchen serving food to the guests, cooking, and cleaning. The retreat was situated in a beautiful jungle surrounded by sloths, monkeys, and other native animals. When I had my days off I would explore puerto viejo on my bike that I rented , go to the beaches, play volleyball, explore the national parks, and learn how to live the Caribbean Tica way. I made friends from all over the world, and tasted amazing traditional carribean home cooked dishes. This trip was definitely one for the books! 

  • 6 Nights: Playa Cocles
    Experience Authentic Costa Rican Hospitality: Connect with Locals and Embrace the Tica Way of Life
  • 20 Nights: Playa Chiquita
    This location was further from town and more peaceful. The beaches were less crowded and more wild. The water was pristine
Playa Cocles - Experience Authentic Costa Rican Hospitality: Connect with Locals and Embrace the Tica Way of Life
1

Playa Cocles Experience Authentic Costa Rican Hospitality: Connect with Locals and Embrace the Tica Way of Life

Playa Cocles - Experience Authentic Costa Rican Hospitality: Connect with Locals and Embrace the Tica Way of Life - SOCCA Restaurant with some other hostel folks
SOCCA Restaurant with some other hostel folks
Playa Cocles - Experience Authentic Costa Rican Hospitality: Connect with Locals and Embrace the Tica Way of Life - Cahuita national Park
Cahuita national Park
Playa Cocles - Experience Authentic Costa Rican Hospitality: Connect with Locals and Embrace the Tica Way of Life - Punta uva1+
Punta uva

 let me tell you, Parque Nacional Cahuita is one of the coolest places I’ve been to in Costa Rica. The vibe is super chill and laid back, and the beaches are out of this world. We went snorkeling and saw so many colorful fish and even some sea turtles. It was like swimming in an aquarium! And don't get me started on the sloths - those little guys are just adorable. We also hiked the trails and saw all kinds of wildlife, like monkeys and iguanas. The only downside is that the park can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends, but it's totally worth it. And if you get hungry, there are some great little restaurants just outside the park that serve up some delicious seafood. Overall, if you’re into nature and want to see some amazing wildlife and beautiful beaches, Parque Nacional Cahuita is the place to be

Playa Chiquita - This location was further from town and more peaceful. The beaches were less crowded and more wild. The water was pristine
2

Playa Chiquita This location was further from town and more peaceful. The beaches were less crowded and more wild. The water was pristine

Playa Chiquita - This location was further from town and more peaceful. The beaches were less crowded and more wild. The water was pristine - Manzanillo at Sunset
Manzanillo at Sunset
Playa Chiquita - This location was further from town and more peaceful. The beaches were less crowded and more wild. The water was pristine - Manzanillo
Manzanillo
Playa Chiquita - This location was further from town and more peaceful. The beaches were less crowded and more wild. The water was pristine - Playa Chiquita2+
Playa Chiquita

I loved the location a lot. When the weather was hot and not raining it was super beautiful and the beaches are really unique with the palm trees hanging over the water. There’s a rawness to this Spot in puerto viejo that you can’t find anywhere else.  It is a bit far from town so if you’re looking for some Peace and quiet with only the jungle noises around you, this is the perfect place for you. I recommend going to gypsea cafe on your way back from a day at the beach. They have great breakfast and lunch food!

Q & A

  • What would you have changed?

    I would have changed the lodging for the volunteers. The house was dirty and old.
  • Anything go wrong during the trip?

    I got an ingrown toenail, but luckily there was an amazing doctor in town who spoke English and he actually numbed my food and cut it out for me. He was super professional and it went much smoother than I thought it would!
  • Restaurant recommendations?

    The food at Tierra de Suenos was out of this world! The chefs used wholesome and healthy ingredients and the dishes always tasted as good as they looked. Koki beach restaurant and Socca restaurant were both delicious as well.
  • Tips you would give a friend?

    Be ready to get wet! You never know when it will rain. Being a good bug spray. If you’re a light sleeper bring ear plugs for the howler monkeys and some parties that go very late.
  • Packing tips?

    Bring
  • Transportation Tips?

    The tuk tuks are the transportation in puerto viejo but it’s much cheaper to rent a bike to get around.

Lodging