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PUERTO VIEJO DE TALAMANCA

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is located on the southern Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica; it’s simply a wonderful place to visit, with its relaxing atmosphere, the food quite spicy and unique Afro-Caribbean culture.

How to get here:

You can take the MEPE Bus Line from San Jose to Puerto Viejo. There are five direct buses from San Jose to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca per day. It takes 4 hours to reach Puerto Viejo.

You can rent a car in San Jose, and drive to Puerto Viejo. But unless you do not like to or are unable to walk, ride a scooter, or ride bicycles, you really do not need a vehicle in Puerto Viejo. Everything is very close. There are plenty of taxis to get around. You can rent bicycles, motor scooters, golf carts, or walk. And the bus service to other towns is excellent and inexpensive.

The drive to Puerto Viejo from San Jose is easy: head to the Guapiles Highway (HWY 32) and when you reach Limon, turn right on Highway 36. You'll pass through the chilly heights of Braulio Carrillo National Park, the steamy lowlands of Guapiles, the Caribbean port town of Limon and then follow the palm fringed coastal road south. (Detailed map & driving directions.) Maps of Costa Rica regions and provinces.

Another option, you can fly from San Jose to Limon on TACA airlines: www.taca.com
or Nature Air: www.natureair.com
or Sansa (flights from San Jose to Limon)
Shuttle service is available from Limon airport to Puerto Viejo. Flights are only available during high season.

Attraction

The Caribbean is a few hours and a world away from the rest of Costa Rica. It is beautiful. The beaches are world class. The restaurants are three, four and five star. You have all sorts of lodging options and price ranges to choose from. You can walk or ride a bike around all day to Puerto Viejos beaches. Go diving and see the best coral reef in the country, go an tours, surfing, or you can go to the Indigenous Reserve Kekoldi. At night, go parting and dancing to the sound off reggae roots.

hostels

Amaures Garden average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Cabinas El Tesoro average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Dolce Vita Hostel average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Hotel Puerto Viejo average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Pagalu Hostel average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Rocking J's average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Sunrise Backpack... average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Vista Verde average nightly room rate $25 and under (double, high season)

Dining

" Comida tipica, or native dishes, rely heavily on rice and beans, the basis of many Costa Rican meals. "Home-style" cooking predominates. But meals are generally wholesome and reasonably priced. Gallo pinto, the national dish of fried rice and black beans, is as ubiquitous as is the hamburger in North America, particularly as a breakfast (desayuno) staple. Many meals are derivatives, including arroz con pollo (rice and chicken) or arroz con tuna. At lunch, gallo pinto becomes the casado (married): rice and beans supplemented with cabbage-and-tomato salad, fried plantains, and meat. Vegetables do not form a large part of the diet.