Caribe Sur –
Leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller

Small towns dot the coast, each with it’s own vibe.  The wide dark sands of Playa Negra, the lazy vibe and eccentric eateries of Puerto Viejo, the surfer scene of Playa Cocles, the bohemian culture of Playa Chiquita, exotic beaches of Punta Uva, the end of the road in Manzanillo and the long trek into Gandoca… the Caribe Sur where it all starts at the sea.

You’ll find miles of beaches, but not acres of beach lounges; you just grab your sarong, a water bottle, a book and spend the day sunning, bobbing in the waves or napping in the shade of the native almond or sea grape. Read a little about each area; what to look forward to, where to find it, and why you’d want to.  This is a place of simple and timeless experiences.

Playa Chiquita

Both of our houses are located in the heart of Playa Chiquita, Costa Rica. An easy bike ride, just 5 kilometers south of downtown Puerto Viejo, Playa Chiquita offers a natural and relaxed vibe. The Jungles here are thick, the famous howlers monkeys are a plenty, and the quiet beaches are some of the best kept secrets in all of Caribe Sur.

You can shop a few local store, buy groceries in the small grocery and enjoy the food from an international variety of restaurants, including Italian, Middle Eastern, and Caribbean cuisine. Playa Chiquita is Pura Vida.

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Puerto Viejo de Limón

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is an eccentric little beach town that attracts travelers from all over the world. Puerto Viejo is a rural town, about 5 hours south east of San Jose, with strong indigenous and afro-caribbean representation as well as an extraordinarily diverse international community that you won’t find anywhere else in Costa Rica. Not only is it culturally rich, the ecosystems and lush rainforests here offer an abidance of opportunities to see wildlife.

In downtown Puerto Viejo, you will find most of the essential services like banks, supermarkets, and pharmacies. Here you also find fun stuff like bars, restaurants, bakeries, and coffee shops. Wake up early for the farmers market every Saturday! Be sure to check out or list of places we highly recommend you visit while in town.

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Punta Uva

Punta Uva (Grape Point) is consistently rated as one of the best beaches in the world. The surrounding reef provides for calm Caribbean waters lined by beautiful sandy beaches and super lush tropical forest. This area is one where you are most likely to see wildlife like sloths and monkeys.

There is a short hiking trail out to the mirador where you have almost a 360 degree view of the ocean and coastline. In Punta Uva you can also rent kayaks and paddle boards when the seas are calm. Around the corner from the mirador is Arrecife Restaurant and beach where you can continue one until the road ends at the river before you reach Playa Grande. This area is a must see!

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Manzanillo

Manzanillo is literally the end of the road here. If you follow the highway it will eventually lead you to the Manzanillo, another old quiet fishing town. Located here is the Gondoca Manzanillo Widlife Refuge. This is a mixed refuge with some public and some private land, meaning people live inside. This refuge includes 10 km of beaches, 740 acres of flow land rainforest, wetlands, and the only intact mangrove swamp on the Caribbean coast, as well as 5 Km2 of delicate reef systems off the coast.

Take a hike out the the mirador and look out over the sea from some of the southern most tips of Coast Rica’s shores. These wildlife refuge is home to a large amount of animals, many of which are in danger of extinction with reduced populations. It is also nesting ground for many animals like Hawksbills sea turtles, Leatherback sea turtles, Manatee, and Dolphins.

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Cahuita

Cahuita is a cool 20 minutes north of Puerto Viejo. It is a old fishing town and the home to Calypso music and afro-caribbean culture here in Costa Rica. In Cahuita, you will also find the Cahuita National Park, one of the most popular destinations amongst visitors who visit Caribe Sur.

The park is accessible to all and with a little patience you are assured to see some wild creature roaming around. The beaches are nice and usually calm inside the park and there are many secluded little nooks and crannies to relax and spend some quality time in nature.

In downtown Cahuita you will also find good authentic food, typical Caribbean food like Rice and Beans as well as the Jamaican pasty Patty. Cahuita has its own unique spirit and vibe.

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Our most popular tours…

Everything you need to know to plan a successful trip! Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean Coast has so much to offer, and we know all the best spots. Here at Wahoo Vacations we offer fishing packages, dolphin watching and snorkeling tours, as well as visits to wildlife sanctuaries and rescue centers. We can share insights and make planning your trip a Caribbean breeze!

What to eat and where to drink…

Check out our insiders guide to Puerto Viejo and beyond. Between Cahuita, Playa Chiquita, all the way down to Manzanillo there is so much to experience, so many options for where to eat, so many new Caribbean flavors you must try! Check out our treasure of friendly information.

The Pura Vida Lifestyle

Visiting paradise is a dream, we’ll help make it come true…