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Sampler plate at Pita Bonita
Super Vegetarian Friendly
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Puerto Viejo and the surrounding communities are super vegetarian friendly. Most places in Costa Rica will have some basic options for vegetarians, such as the typical "casado" plate which can come with fried cheese or eggs or sometimes just veggies. But traditional Costa Rican cooking doesn't tend to be very interesting for vegetarians and, as you can imagine, is worse for vegans.
But in the Puerto Viejo area you will find a lot more than that with tons of places that have diverse and interesting vegetarian and vegan options and a few places that are completely vegetarian. Here are some of the best options.
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Restaurants
Cafe Rio Negro
Ceviche, fresh seafood, hamburgers, pizza, desserts, batidos. Lots of vegan options. Open for lunch and dinner.
Cocles
+506-2750-0155
Average rating: 88 Excellent
View on map
Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Chile Rojo
Thai and asian fusion restaurant. Sushi bar. Many vegetarian and vegan options including thai curries, veggie burger and veggie sushi (ask). Great people watching on the main drag across from the beach and crafts market. Puerto Viejo +506 2750 0421, +506 8396 3247 Average rating: 84 Very Good View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Grow Beachfront Restaurant
Beachfront vegetarian restaurant and bar. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a small menu. Crepes, burritos, bowls. Gluten-free options. Coffee, healthy mocktails, artesanal beer. Puerto Viejo +506 8370 6334 Average rating: 94 Excellent View on map
Vegan. No animal products on menu
GypSea Café
Farm to table restaurant with organic ingredients. Catering to omnivores with a great selection for vegetarians. Open for breakfast and lunch. Playa Chiquita +506 2750 2016 Average rating: 92 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Jammin Comunidad Vegana
Vegan community and open-air rasta style restaurant. Aims to have positive impact on the environment through self-sustainable practices and agriculture. Hosts activities related to music, art, and veganism. opposite vet, diagonal to Bogo Bar, Puerto Viejo +506 6372 5317 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map Vegan. No animal products on menu
Madre Tierra
Cocktails, restaurant and bar. Variety of food including Caribbean, Latin, Seafood, Costa Rican, Fusion and Vegetarian. Puerto Viejo +506 2750 2083 Average rating: 90 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
The Pelican Pub and Cafe
Restaurant and pub. Draft beer. Varied menu including lots of plant based options. Playa Chiquita +506 6026 4559 Average rating: 94 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Port Vell
A breakfast and brunch restaurant in the heart of Puerto Viejo. Homemade recipes with locally grown ingredients. Vegan and vegetarian options. Coffees (plant-based milks), smoothies, espresso and lot's more. They also host events from Cafe Bla Bla such as games nights and language exchange. Puerto Viejo +506 6038 8624 Average rating: 98 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Puerto Pirata
Meals, snacks, coffee and batidos on the porch in a chill location overlooking the sea. Evenings becomes the Tiki Bar with cocktail specials. Menu has vegetarian, vegan and sustainable seafood only; no meat. Puerto Viejo +506 2750 0459 Average rating: 89 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Pura Gula Restaurant
Healthy slow food restaurant Playa Chiquita +506 8634 6404 Average rating: 92 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Sanito Pura Vida
Restaurant and serving organic, vegetarian and vegan food made with local ingredients. Store selling organic and local products. They also sell Vida Sana breads as they are located at Vida Sana. Previously named Tostas and Namú Organika. Playa Chiquita +506 2750 3007 Average rating: 100 Exceptional View on map
Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Stashu's Con Fusion
Fusion food restaurant with live music. Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asian flavors along with fresh seafood and great vegetarian and vegan options. Second floor above Puerto Viejo Shops on main strip, Puerto Viejo +506 8385-6887 Average rating: 91 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Zaika Bar & Grill
Indian restaurant. Good selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options. Cocles +506 8800 7708 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Coffee, Ice Cream, Chocolate and Dessert
BOA Coworking
Coworking space, café, lounge and gallery upstairs from Green Jaguar Irish Gastro Pub but with a separate food menu which is fully vegetarian. Puerto Viejo View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Bread and Chocolate
Restaurant known for their baked goods, coffee and desserts but there is also a full menu. Good number of vegetarian options and has some vegan desserts and meals as well. Puerto Viejo +506 2750-0723 Average rating: 92 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Caribeans Coffee and Chocolate
Coffee house, chocolate factory and tasting room. Smoothies and light meals too. Offers the Chocolate Forest Experience Tour where you can see the chocolate making experience from the cacao forest to the finished product. Also regular community events and learning opportunities from yoga to film nights. Cocles +506 2750-0504, 8341-2034 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Como En Mi Casa Art Cafe
Espresso drinks, desserts, breakfast, sandwiches, salads. c Puerto Viejo +506 6069 6319, 6069 6337 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Juice for Life Wolaba
Fresh juices and smoothies. 100% natural, organic and vegan. The smoothies are made with coconut based yogurt. Puerto Viejo +506 7043 9694 Average rating: 98 Exceptional View on map Vegan. No animal products on menu
Ocho Nani
Gourmet Italian style ice cream plus fruit salad, smoothies, milk shakes. Many vegan ice cream options including a vegan chocolate. Puerto Viejo +506 8928 8272 Average rating: 98 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Supermarkets and Other Groceries
Bio Mercado Puerto Viejo
Organic, local, artisanal & natural products. Juice bar. Puerto Viejo +506 2750 3224 Average rating: 98 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Namú Ecotienda Orgánica
Superfoods and organics, natural soaps and cosmetics
Puerto Viejo +506 8886 2133 Average rating: 90 Excellent View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Puerto Viejo Farmers and Artisans Market
Weekly farmers' and artisan's market of local produce and other products held every Saturday morning from 6am to noon. Come early for the best selection! Arts and craft market is Thursday to Sunday from 3pm to 8pm. Puerto Viejo +506 2750 0883 Average rating: 92 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Rios Vegan Food
Italian bakery and ready to eat foods such as empanadas and sandwiches. At their store or also available locally at several area supermarkets. Everything vegan. Puerto Viejo +506 8754 0205 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map Vegan. No animal products on menu
Hostels
Mar Caribe
Budget lodging with basic double or triple private rooms and a shared kitchen. The owner Veronica also offers classes in healthy vegetarian and vegan cooking, medicinal plants, and retreats that combine cultural education with community service. The lodging was previously known as Veronica's Place and as Caribbean Flavors Backpackers. Puerto Viejo +506 8964 8225
View on booking.com
Average room rate: $48 Average rating: 84 Very Good View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Hotels
Colores Seafront
Hotel and restaurant right in the heart of Manzanillo across from the beach. Simple rooms with private bath and minifridge. In the space formerly occupied by Mar y Sol Hostel. Restaurant serves a variety of international and Costa Rican dishes and has ample options for vegetarians and vegans. Manzanillo +506 6203 0798 Average room rate: $37 Average rating: 92 Excellent View on map Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish
Samasati Yoga and Wellness Retreat
Perched on a mountain ridge overlooking the Caribbean Sea, offers guest house and casita accommodations. They host retreats, workshops, guest artists and travelers. Stays include vegetarian buffet served in an open air restaurant. Also available on site are healing massage treatments, jacuzzi spa, nature trails, waterfall with natural pool, daily yoga classes and a meditation hall. Hone Creek 800 563 9643 (USA Toll free), +506 8428 3918 (Costa Rica) Average room rate: $105 Average rating: 89 Excellent View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Spas, Hair, Massage, Yoga
AmaSer
Retreat and training center. Health and wellness retreats. Yoga teacher trainings. Full service spa. Public yoga classes. Vegan and gluten free restaurant. Accommodations. Home of Caribe Yoga Academy. Previously named OM at Cashew Hill. Puerto Viejo +506 2750 0001 Average rating: 97 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Schools
Veronica's Place Cooking Class
Cooking classes and permaculture farm from long time Puerto Viejo resident Veronica. The classes focus on vegetarian and vegan Caribbean cooking. There are also some accommodation options and occasional book in advance vegetarian meals. Cocles +506 8918 3238 Average rating: 100 Exceptional View on map Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs
Vacation Rentals
Pura Vida Vegana
Vacation rental house for up to 4 persons hosted by a German family. Double bed plus bunk beds, equipped kitchen, living room, terrace. Vegan breakfast and dinner available as well as vegan catering. Cahuita View on booking.com Average room rate: $119 Average rating: 96 Exceptional View on map Vegan. No animal products on menu
Daniela
Hi, I can highly recommend Soulsurfer Restaurant. Very nice place right on the beach. Veggie Burger, tuna burger - all fresh. Even the sauces are homemade. Founded with love by two Germans. This must not be missing in the list. Brand new - a secret tip. Enjoy it.
January 13, 2018
Puerto Viejo Satellite
Thanks for the tip Daniela. The place looks very nice and I haven't had a chance to check it out yet! I've added a listing page for it 634|here but don't think it qualifies for the Vegetarian page as there is only the 1 vegetarian option and nothing vegan but that veggie burger looks good!
January 13, 2018
Chad ( regular annual visit to PV in Feb march.
Which beach is this on?
October 08, 2018
Puerto Viejo Satellite
It's on Salsa Brava between town and Cocles. Location is 634|here
October 08, 2018