Visit Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a laid-back village on the Caribbean coast, located between the forested hills of the Talamanca mountains and the sea.

By day, it is a quiet sleepy place, where visitors and locals alike meander the streets on bikes and visit the beach, however there is a vibrant and fun social scene in the evening with many restaurants and bars to choose from. It is a popular area for surfers, but also for those looking to get closer to the indigenous people of Costa Rica and wildlife abounds in the area.

The locals are mainly of Afro-Caribbean descent, and consequently the familiar sounds of Bob Marley contribute to the relaxed atmosphere.

The area does have some pleasant beaches, but they are not the typical white sand and bright blue sea of the Caribbean, and you do need to be careful of rip tides if you are planning on swimming.