The 5 Best Beaches In Puerto Viejo

One of the main reasons visitors come to Puerto Viejo, Cost Rica is for the amazing beaches. With 630 miles of coastline on the Pacific coast and over 130 miles of coastline on the Caribbean coast, it's no wonder that Costa Rica is home to some of the best beaches in the world. The southern Caribbean zone is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in all of Costa Rica and will for sure be a major part of any vacation to this region. So which beaches are the best beaches in Puerto Viejo? 

Here's a quick guide to help you plan your Puerto Viejo vacation and to help make sure you don't miss out on any of the beauty that this region has to offer.

5. Playa Negra or Black Beach

Sunset from Playa Negra

Playa Negra or Black Beach, named thanks to its black sand, is the first beach you will come across as you enter the Puerto Viejo area, whether you come by bus, car, or shuttle, as there is only one road in and one road out of this town. Playa Negra is a great spot for swimming and can be a great spot for surfing if the conditions are right. The black sand can get very hot on a sunny day so if you plan on spending the afternoon here, consider bringing two beach towels to lay on. There's not much in the way of restaurants or supermarkets in this area, so stock up before you head out and be careful: if the water looks rough--there can be rip tides here, and without lifeguards, it's a good idea to only go waist deep unless you're with someone, like a local surf instructor or guide, who knows about the beaches and the tides of this area.

4. Playa Puerto Viejo

View from Salsa Brava Restaurant, shipwrecked boat

Playa Puerto Viejo refers to any of the beaches in town, from Chino's Beach in front of the restaurants Puerto Pirata, Grow, and Johnny's Place to the area just in front of what used to be Stanford's Restaurant, and over to the reef-lined pools in front of Salsa Brava. From Salsa Brava, a beach path hugs the shoreline and jungle all the way to Cocles Beach, and while there are little pools to get in and enjoy the water, for the most part, this area of beach is full of reef and not ideal for swimming. Experienced surfers will gravitate towards the reef break Salsa Brava for a chance to ride this infamous wave, and families with young kids will enjoy the little pools throughout town as the coral reef stops the waves from breaking at the shore, making it ideal for lounging in a just a few inches to feet of water. Here it's possible to eat and drink at any number of the beachside restaurants in town and take breaks between beers to dip in the water and cool off. Costa Ricans, known as Ticos, love to spend all day at the beaches in Puerto Viejo so if it's a Saturday or Sunday, expect to be sharing any stretch of sand with the crowds. It's all part of the experience!

3. Playa Cocles

Cocles Beach with surf board rentals

Just south of Puerto Viejo, on the road Route 36, towards the Panamanian border, Playa Cocles opens up, and expansive golden sand joins the jungle to the Caribbean. This beach is where it's at! Surfers, food trucks, slackline courses, volleyball nets, vendors walking the beach and selling ice cream, Argentinian empanadas and alfajores, and massages are all part of the mix that is Playa Cocles or Cocles Beach. This long strip of beach is the happening spot any day of the week. Monkeys can be seen playing in the trees that create shade for beachgoers and the ambiance here is lively. There are some bars and restaurants across the road so if you run out of snacks or drinks it's easy to quench any thirst here. This is the most popular, consistent surf spot and many lessons take place here, so if you're in the water watch out for new surfers and loose boards. Lifeguards patrol this beach as the current can be strong and the waves deceptively powerful so take caution and listen to the lifeguards when they blow their whistles. 

2. Punta Uva & Arrecife

Punta Uva Beach

Continuing down the road from Playa Cocles, visitors will discover the stunning beaches of Punta Uva and Arrecife. Punta Uva (Grape Point) refers to the point that separates the two beaches, which despite sitting side by side have totally different looks and vibes. On the Punta Uva side, a meandering river empties into the calm waters where beachgoers can play in small, gentle waves or kayak the river and the sea. There are lounge chairs available to rent by the hour or day and large trees cast refreshing shadows at this idyllic beach setting. Around the point, visitors will discover Arrecife, with palm trees and heavy coconuts leaning towards the water, this sun-bathed beach has more of a party vibe with daytime events and DJs right on the water some Saturdays and Sundays. Arrecifie--which means reef--refers to the coral reefs just offshore that make the calm waters here ideal for snorkeling in flat season. Whereas Punta Uva has a more mellow vibe, Arreciefe is definitely the more boisterous of the two, though both are family friendly and both get PACKED on the weekends. There are a couple of bars and restaurants in the area along with a small pulperia (a mini-market) but it's best to come fully stocked for a beach day at either location. 

1. Manzanillo

Mirador at Manzanillo

At the end of the road--at least, the end of Route 36--beach explorers will find the sleepy town of Manzanillo, though it's anything but sleepy on the weekends. Manzanillo refers to the beach itself, the little town of just two blocks, and the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, all of which draw visitors from all over Costa Rica and the world. The beach here is gorgeous and great for swimming and even snorkeling at times. Local fishermen take tourists on dolphin tours or boat tours to explore beaches further south, where the road does not go. This little area is truly a taste of the sadly fading traditional Caribbean way of life. There are a couple of restaurants in town, but expect things to move slowly here, so don't come in a rush. To visit the Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, check in at the visitor center--entrance is donation based--and follow the beach path to the famous mirador, or lookout. Manzanillo is only 13 kilometers south of Puerto Viejo but you'll feel like you've time traveled when you visit this small community at the end of the paved road, and any visit to the Southern Caribbean won't be complete without a visit to Manzanillo.

If you're looking to visit any of the best beaches in Puerto Viejo or the best beaches in Costa Rica and still don't have your accommodations booked, look no further than our centrally located Airbnbs: Casa Bachata, Casa Cumbia, Casa Rumba, and Casa Merengue. We've got options for couples, groups of friends, or family stays of up to 13 people, and with over a decade of living in Puerto Viejo, we have plenty of knowledge to help you plan your trip. Be sure to reach out if you're interested in visiting the best beaches of Puerto Viejo.