What's the best place to stay? The best beach to surf? The best place for families / singles / backpackers?
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Photo 1 of 17. Click to view slideshow of South Caribbean Beaches.
Punta Uva Beach. Photo by Rob Jones
The Caribbean Coast has something for everyone, find your paradise!
One of my favorite things about the South Caribbean coast is that the different communities and beaches are themselves so diverse. You've got black sand and white sand, exciting surfing beaches and calm snorkeling beaches. There are places that either backpackers or luxury travelers will be comfortable in. There are places in the center or lots of action and activities and others where you'll barely see another person all day.
Below you'll find an overview of each of the communities within the South Caribbean zone. Find out which one suits you best or sample them all! Each community has its own page, click on it for more details.
If you're more visual, just take a virtual tour through the different local beaches with our beaches slideshow.
Whatever your tastes (unless your taste is for concrete...) you'll be sure to find your bit of paradise here!
Photo 1 of 6. Click to view slideshow of Puerto Viejo.
Cool surf shacks and shops line the beach in Puerto Viejo town. Photo by Lori Sorrentino
Puerto Viejo
While Puerto Viejo is often used to refer to the whole area or at least include the neighborhoods of Playa Negra, Cocles, Chiquita and Punta Uva, the center of the action is the small area between the south end of Playa Negra and the north end of Playa Cocles.
This small grid of streets may be just 3 or 4 blocks square but is packed with an amazing selection of hotels, hostels, restaurants, bars and shopping.
Staying here you'll definitely be closer to the action and some places will be noisier so it's not for all travelers. But around the edges also cluster some quiet and beautiful spots.
There isn't much of a swimming beach in town itself, most head north to Playa Negra or south to one of the many options, but advanced surfers can be found on the Salsa Brava reef just off of downtown.
Photo 1 of 5. Click to view slideshow of Cahuita.
Cahuita beach. Photo by Andres Madrigal
Cahuita
Cahuita was once the most developed town on the South Caribbean coast although it has since been eclipsed by Puerto Viejo. But it retains a more Caribbean vibe than the more international Puerto Viejo and the community has strong cultural links to calypso music and authentic Caribbean cooking. It also boasts the main entrance to Cahuita National Park which is one of the jewels of the coast with its beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife.
The town has a wide variety of services including a bank, supermarkets, many restaurants and a wide variety of hotels so many travellers elect to base themselves here for their visit to the South Caribbean coast.
Photo 1 of 7. Click to view slideshow of Playa Cocles.
The main part of Playa Cocles is one of the few beaches in the area you might find more of "scene" with lots of people there watching the surfers and enjoying the soft sand.
Playa Cocles
Cocles is the first community south of Puerto Viejo and it north of Playa Chiquita. It is one of the most well developed. The beautiful beach is very popular with surfers, especially at the northern end, and also for swimmers. It is one of the few area beaches that is patrolled by lifeguards via the community supported Playa Cocles Lifeguard program
There's a big variety of businesses located at Cocles, including basic hostel type accommodation up to luxury hotels and rental homes. There are also many restaurants and services although it is just a few minutes by bicycle to Puerto Viejo should you need something more than is on offer here.
Photo 1 of 5. Click to view slideshow of Playa Chiquita.
Playa Chiquita. Photo by Andres Madrigal
Playa Chiquita
The uncrowded Playa Chiquita is a favorite for those who want to relax on the fine sand and in the beautiful waters surrounded only by nature. It is really several small bays so you may be able to find your own small beach with no one else in sight. As well, there is no road to access to the beach so the short walk down one of several trails to the beach also provides privacy. There's a nice trail to the beach just past Hotel Shawandha for example.
There is no central commercial area but there is a smattering of restaurants and services along the main road including a gourmet supermarket. There are also a wide variety of hotels and vacation homes. For supplies beyond groceries you'll need to head into Puerto Viejo. Transport options between Playa Chiquita and Puerto Viejo include the local bus (running hourly or less during daylight hours), bicycle (most hotels rent bicycles), taxi and car. Check the local transport page for more details.
Photo 1 of 8. Click to view slideshow of Punta Uva.
Punta Uva Beach. Photo by Rob Jones
Punta Uva
The quiet beach at Punta Uva is known for its calm reef protected water and white sand. This is a great place to bring the kids to swim. It is 8.5 km (about 5 miles) from downtown Puerto Viejo so appeals to those looking for a quieter spot to spend their vacation. Most of the area is located within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge so nature viewing opportunities are abundant with monkies, sloths and many types of birds common sights.
The area does have a big variety of hotels and vacation homes, mostly from the midrange up to luxury options. There is a supermarket and a good selection of restaurants. For supplies beyond groceries you'll need to head into Puerto Viejo.
Photo 1 of 7. Click to view slideshow of Manzanillo.
Playa Manzanillo: Quiet and chill with nature close at hand
Manzanillo
The village of Manzanillo has long been off the beaten track, even since the paved road arrived in 2003. This is as far as you can go along the coastal road towards Panama. This little town remains a vibrant outpost of Afro-Caribbean culture and has also remained pristine, thanks to the 1985 establishment of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, which includes the village and imposes strict regulations on regional development.
Activities are of a simple nature, in nature: hiking, snorkeling and kayaking are king. (As elsewhere, ask about riptides before heading out.) Other than that, you may find the occasional party at the locally renowned Maxi's bar and restaurant at the end of the road, which is the end of the line (where buses arrive).
To go beyond Manzanillo along the coast you'll need to continue on foot along the path into the refuge (a local guide is strongly recommended, both to see the maximum amount of nature and for security) or head out on a boat. A half day round trip hike will get you to lovely Punta Mona. Further southeast, deep in the reserve, is the village of Gandoca which is reached from the main inland highway via a 4x4 track or by boat.
Arriving in Hone Creek fom Puerto Viejo: the highway goes North toward Cahuita and Limon or South to the Panama border at Sixaola. Photo by Lisa Valencia
Hone Creek, Bri Bri & Sixaola
Hone Creek, Bri Bri and Sixaola don't tend to be big tourist draws on their own as they aren't beachfront (some Hone Creek properties are just a short walk to the beach). Instead they are local service and transportation hubs that a traveler may need to pass through.
Most travelers will pass through Hone Creek on the way into Puerto Viejo as this is where they leave the main highway 36 which goes from Limon to the border with Panama at Sixaola. The only gas station in the South Caribbean is located here. There is also the public and best equipped medical clinic as well as several larger supermarkets and hardware stores. Many local residents who work in the hotels and restaurants in Puerto Viejo live in Hone Creek. There are also several places to stay in Hone Creek which tend to be either good value or feature larger properties where you can get away from it all.
Bri Bri is the administrative center for the canton of Talamanca where Puerto Viejo is located. Some police and investigative services are located here.
Sixaola is the town at the border to Panama and so travelers heading to Bocas del Toro or other destinations in Panama will pass through here.
Photo 1 of 4. Click to view slideshow of Gandoca.
Boat tour on the Gandoca Lagoon. Photo by Doug Dosdall
Gandoca
Gandoca is a remote community south of Manzanillo but not reachable from the coastal road; you must go back inland and then head back towards the coast just before the Panama border at Sixaola. As such it is quite remote.
Eco-tourism well off the beaten path is the vibe here. Don't expect many services or reliable internet but you will get opportunities to see unspoiled nature and a Caribbean community little touched by development. Gandoca Beach is also an excellent place to see turtles nesting in season.
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