Written by Nikki Solano

Nikki is the CEO of Pura Vida! eh? Inc. (Costa Rica Discounts), and the author of the guidebooks Moon Costa Rica (2019, 2021, 2023, and 2025 editions) and Moon Best of Costa Rica (2022 edition) from Moon Travel Guides. Together with her Costa Rican husband, Ricky, she operates the Costa Rica Travel Blog, created the online community DIY Costa Rica, built the Costa Rica Destination Tool, oversees the brand-new (summer 2023) Costa Rica Travel Shop, and designed the Costa Rica Trip Planning 101 E-Course. Also, Nikki wrote the Costa Rica cover feature for Wanderlust Magazine's sustainability-focused Travel Green List issue, showcased Costa Rica destinations and experiences on Rick Steves' Monday Night Travel show and podcast/radio show, and served as the Costa Rica Destination Editor for Essentialist, a luxury travel brand. Want to show your appreciation for her free article below? Thank Nikki here. ❤️️

Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) photos

Note: The Playa Puerto Viejo referred to in this article is the Playa Puerto Viejo that is located along Costa Rica’s southern Caribbean coast, between Cahuita and Manzanillo. We cite the beach name as Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) to distinguish it from Playa Puerto Viejo (Guanacaste), a similarly named beach located along Costa Rica’s northern Pacific coast.

To learn more about the beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, where Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) is located, don’t miss our related blog post:

Must-Know Info About Puerto Viejo Costa Rica And The Southern Caribbean Coast

Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) fast facts

• English name: Puerto Viejo Beach / Old Port Beach
• Distance from San Jose: 217km (approximately 3 hours and 30 minutes)
• Closest Town: Cahuita (small town), Limon (large town)
• Beach Status: Public beach

Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) beach details

Sand, shade, scenery, and unique features

Playa Puerto Viejo is a series of several sandy spots that edge the southern Caribbean coast in front of the beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, it is not one long, continuous beach. The scene at Playa Puerto Viejo depends on which sandy spot you visit; some areas (mainly the stretch in front of Avenida 75) are long and deep, and offer plenty of room for sunbathing alongside locals. Other areas are tucked behind bars and restaurants, are razor-thin, or are occupied with rows of fishing boats. In most areas, the sand is compact and light brown, tall palm trees tower overhead, and the water is a mix of turquoise and teal.

Crowds and noise

Playa Puerto Viejo regularly entertains several visitors, mainly because it’s the principal beach that fronts the town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Due to the town’s popularity, crowds and noise can be an issue. Fortunately, the beach edges places throughout the whole town, so it isn’t difficult to find a small spot where you can enjoy the water away from others. The longest, prettiest stretch, which also tends to be the busiest section of the beach, is found along Avenida 75 on the northwest side of town.

Cleanliness and Ecological Blue Flag rating

Costa Rica’s Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica (Ecological Blue Flag Program) promotes sustainability and public health. Every year, beaches in Costa Rica strive for top honors, which are bestowed annually according to strict ecological criteria. Beaches that participate in the program and meet 90-100% of the eligibility criteria achieve a 1-star rating. Further efforts invite beaches to earn additional stars (5 stars is the highest rating), including special colored stars. (To learn more about the program and discover what each blue flag rating means, see our related blog post: Award-Winning Blue Flag Beaches In Costa Rica: Photos & Map; Most-Recent Winners.)

Playa Puerto Viejo is not currently participating in the Programa Bandera Azul Ecológica. Therefore, it does not have a star rating.

Development at Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)

Hotels, restaurants, tours, bathrooms, etc.

The town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca provides an assortment of establishments, including hotels, restaurants, tour offices, and shops, virtually everything you might want to have at a Costa Rican destination. Most establishments are within walking distance of the beach, if not positioned directly on the beach.

Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) safety

Swimming and water safety

Swimming is allowed at Playa Puerto Viejo but beware of rough waves rolling in from the Caribbean Sea, especially offshore around the Salsa Brava Caribbean restaurant (formerly the Salsa Brava Rasta Bar), where you’ll find the area’s gnarly surf break: Salsa Brava. As always, exercise caution in and around the water, especially if you plan to visit with children or inexperienced swimmers.

General safety

Never bring items of value with you to the beach and always keep an eye on your belongings. Remember to lock your rental car if you have one. Do not visit the beach before sunrise or after sunset.

Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) location and road conditions

Access to Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) and 4×4 requirement

Playa Puerto Viejo is located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It sits east of Cahuita and west of Manzanillo.

Road 256 passes through the heart of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The black sand beach you’ll see on your left as you enter the town (from the west via Cahuita) is Playa Negra. The brown-sand beach you’ll see on your left as you travel through town is Playa Puerto Viejo. A 4×4 vehicle is not required to reach Playa Puerto Viejo.

Map of Playa Puerto Viejo Costa Rica

Parking at Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)

There is no official parking at Playa Puerto Viejo. However, there are several places to park in town that are within walking distance of the beach. One option is the makeshift lot on the north side of Avenida 73, near the bus station. There is room for several vehicles. Another option is to park along the side of Road 256 in town or down one of the side streets that jut off Road 256 to the southeast.

Best reason(s) to visit Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)

Playa Puerto Viejo isn’t worth traveling to purely to experience the beach. The best reason to visit Playa Puerto Viejo is to enjoy the beach in addition to the many other offerings that the southern Caribbean coast has to offer. Let Puerto Viejo de Talamanca’s laid-back vibe, delicious Caribbean food, and low-key activities draw you in, and consider time spent at Playa Puerto Viejo a bonus experience.

Beach-hopping from Playa Puerto Viejo (or alternative beach options in the region)

Recommended day trips from Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean) include visits to Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Playa Punta Uva, Playa Arrecife, and Playa Manzanillo.

Not sure which Costa Rica beaches are the best to visit? Let the beaches in this article inspire you:

80+ Costa Rica Beaches (In Photos) And Where To Find Them

Want to learn about Costa Rica’s ecological blug flag beaches? Don’t miss our related blog post:

Award-Winning Blue Flag Beaches In Costa Rica (Photos & Map; Most-Recent Winners)

QUESTION TO COMMENT ON: Have you been to Playa Puerto Viejo (Caribbean)? What did you think?

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