Catering/live music for wedding?     Cyrus from Virginia     December 02, 2011

I'm having my wedding outside Manzanillo in May and want some local fare for one dinner and some live music for a few hours where we're staying. Any suggestions? Laid back casual event. Show less

Church in Puerto Viegjo     Melissa from New York, USA     March 28, 2011

Next Easter (April 8th) I will be taking a student group to Costa Rica... our first few days involve a sea turtle project in Gandoca. Does anyone know if that is within walking distance of the town? Also, I know there is a church... any chance of them having a website? Thanks Show less

Doug Dosdall from Puerto Viejo     March 28, 2011

Several churches in town but definitely no websites that I'm aware of. They're pretty low tech places! Gandoca is quite a distance from Puerto Viejo, over an hour by jeep. You'll need an experienced local driver to get you there. Unless you meant is the project close the village of Gandoca to which I believe the answer is yes. Show less

Monthly Flower Delivery     Rumana Akter from Dhaka     September 02, 2010

There are innumerable florist services that are offered online, which cater for same day flowers delivery to help customers convey their messages through a subtle and uniquely satisfying manner.

Monthly Flower Delivery
http://dayflowersdelivery.com/ Show less

la verdadera magia     marcia rojas from costa rica     April 18, 2010

He estado en puerto viejo muchas veces en diferentes epocas del la año... he visto los indicios del progreso , la enfermedad del los corales , la amistad y el calor del loca.... conosco lo bueno , lo mejor y lo malo de la zona y solo puedo decir que es admirable el coraje de los seres humanos que constituyen esta comunidad nacionales y extranjeros que se enfrentan al exilio sutil, a migajas de proyectos sociales y la amenaza de una extincion gradual de sus tesoros naturales y cultura , autonomia e independencia son virtudes que han adquirido gracias a los estigmas sociales impuestos en la epoca de la Show more colonia de la colonia creadas en un ambiente xenofobico e inquisidor , desgraciadamente la mente de algunos costarricenses y en especial el gobierno de nuestro pais aun practica ,admirables son todos aquellos que aun con los estigmas sociales y el olvido colectivo viven ,cuidan ,sacrifican y creen que en verdad lo mejor de Limon es su gente y los que no solo se quejan y critican la inseguridad y el atraso sino queselevantan cada dia a trabajar para crear un mejor Limon. Show less

Jim MacDougall from Puerto Viejo Costa Rica     April 02, 2010

Tragically conflicted village. At once a very beautiful place and also a very violent place to live or visit. The local hotel owners won't tell you the truth about this but I have lived there for many years. Show less

Colin Brownlee from Puerto Viejo     April 03, 2010

I have not lived here as long as you have, but I have been long enough to be well aware of the problems of the local community and Costa Rica as a whole.

As for it being "conflicted"... I agree. But I see us as the foreigners with another culture and resources that locals clearly don't have as contributing to a large part of the "conflict".

In saying that, I am not sure what the answer is. I can see where locals want the same standard of living we enjoy and since accomplishing that is virtually impossible on a local level, some will justify "shortcuts" to try and attain many of the Show more things we take for granted.

It has been my observation that many expats that have been here for a long time... I see many are disillusioned by the changes and development in the community and perceive the hotels and owners as the ones to blame because the price of beer has went up and they are looking for greener pastures because they can no longer afford to live there.

The same story happens anywhere you look where capitalism is the order of the day (that would be most of the world). Do I like it? Not really. But it's the system and even if I had a better idea I am too tired try andchange it and don't feel being a foreigner here in Costa Rica it is my place to do so.

I was invited by Costa Rican Government through residency program to finance and build a business that would generate tourist dollars and hire local people. It is sad that you don't see that as a contribution to the community and instead that you would suggest that we were being dishonest to people.

I hope you find paradise. Show less

violent     Rob Panick from Puerto Viejo y Loco     May 29, 2010

So Colin, do the "shortcuts" you refer to mean taxi drivers setting up and robbing expats after chopping them in the head with a machete?
Don't try to blame local expat stratification with the price of a damn beer. The local scene here is dominated by lowlifes that refuse to work, base their whole future plans on knocking up a foreigner and taking her for all she has, and stealing whatever they need along the way.
Stop trying to bull$h!t people in the name of keeping customer coming in. Show less

Puerto Viejo     Shirley     September 29, 2010

Hi, what is the violent part of PV? Do you know the bookstore "Echo Books?" What is it like to live and work there? How dangerous is it? Show less

Puerto Viejo     koki beach from puerto viejo     October 17, 2010

Shirley,
Puerto Viejo is no more dangerous than any other beach town in Costa Rica and certainly much less dangerous then San Jose. Using common sense will keep you out of most trouble. Use cabs at night, don't bring valuables to the beach and do you ATM visits during the day and you will be fine Show less

Jon Foster from California     March 12, 2010

The caribbean side is too wet and difficult to get around. Try the Montezuma area on the Pacific coast, its a lot more fun and its safer. Show less

marianna     September 15, 2009

i'll be in puerto viejo next week (sept 09). what can i expect in terms of WEATHER? Show less

Ryan from North Dakota     July 28, 2009

We will be visiting Purto Viejo in August and were just wondering if anyone knows of a Catholic Church in or near Puerto Viejo. Thank you very much for your response. Show less

Colin from Playa Negra     July 29, 2009

Catholic Church is just down past bus stop in middle of town. Show less

Brenda Evans from Larkspur, Colorado     July 15, 2009

Comming to Puerto Viejo the end of August 09, has anyone stayed at La Costa de Papito. Have not seen any comments. Also can anyone tell me about these biting flies I have read about. Are they seasonal? Thanks. Lookin forward to trip. Show less

Janice Campbell from Costa Rica     August 19, 2009

The only biting flies that I know about are not a fly but a flea! They are at the beach only and if you spray Off on your legs no worry, and they are seasonal and this is the season Show less