About the Caribbean
The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica stretches from Barro del Colorado on the northern border with Nicaragua to Gandoca on the southernmost tip near Panama. The turtle nesting village of Tortugero is south of Barro del Colorado but accessible only by a three hour boat ride.
The most accessible points from the main highway are Puerto Limon, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. Gandoca is accessible by taking the road to the Panamanian border town of Sixaola and then taking a taxi about another five miles toward the beach. During times of high water, the roads from Sixaola are not always accessible however.
Northern Caribbean Coast
Barro del Colorado is a wet marshy area known worldwide for its snook and tarpon fishing and for its reputation as one of Costa Rica’s wettest parks. The village is accessible only by boat and is home to several sport fishing lodges situated near the mouth of the Rio Colorado (Colorado River).
Tortugero
Accessible only by a three hour boat ride from Moin just north of Puerto Limon, Tortugero is known as the place where an estimated 40,000 green leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles return annually to lay their eggs. In addition, this amazing ecosystem is home to 300 bird species, amphibians, reptiles and 60 species of mammals including ocelots, jaguars and manatees.
Puerto Limon
The capital of Limon province, Puerto Limon is the only port on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast and the stopping place for both cargo and cruise ships. A somewhat dirty and unkempt town, Limon is the main shopping place for residents of the Caribbean coast with dozens of small shops, cafes, a few supermarkets and the traditional Costa Rican el Mercado or market. Until the last couple of years, Limon was also the only town with banks. This is still the place where many Caribbean residents come to do their shopping.
South of Limon begins the area knows as the Talamanca coast after the Talamanca mountains which are still home to the original inhabitants of this area the Bri Bri and Cabecar Indigenous people. The main coastal road from Limon south to Manzanillo meanders alongside some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica.
This region is known for its laidback vibe and is home to most of Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean population, descendants of Jamaicans who came to these shores more than one hundred years ago to work on the railroad or in the banana plantations. In addition to the Afro-Caribbeans (including many Rastafarians), this region is an eclectic mix of Costa Ricans of Spanish descent, native indigenous people and foreign locals from around the world.
Cahuita
A small quaint village, Cahuita is home to Parque Nacional Cahuita or Cahuita National Park. It is also the Costa Rica home to Travel Caribbean Costa Rica. Mr. Gavit, Costa Rica’s most famous Calypso musician, lives in Cahuita and although nearly blind and in his 80s, Mr. Gavit is interviewed several times each year by music historians and others from around the world.
Walking down the mostly unpaved roads of Cahuita is like a walk back in time. Reggae and calypso music resonate from local bars, restaurants and homes throughout the village.
Cahuita is situated on a point surrounded by the sea. On one side of town is Playa Negra or Black Beach with black sand and surfing waves, and on the other by Playa Blanca or White Beach situated within the national park.
Cahuita National Park runs for six kilometers along a beautiful white sand beach and is home to abundant wildlife including two types of monkeys, sloths, iguanas, birds, the most amazing butterflies in the world and more. The protected coral reef makes for great snorkeling.
Puerto Viejo
Also a village, although somewhat larger than Cahuita, Puerto Viejo is more developed. Although you won’t find high rise hotels or condominium complexes here, you will find more restaurants, bars and quaint hotels. The beaches within the village are black sand and parts are well regarded by surfers. Further south out of town and on the road to Manzanillo are incredibly beautiful white sand beaches.
Manzanillo
The coastal highway ends at this tiny village on the sea and the Manzanillo/Gandoca Wildlife Refuge which protects the lowlands of the southern Caribbean coast. The Refuge also protects a coral reef front across the beaches just to its north which are popular with scuba divers. Manatees, dolphins and several species of sea turtles nest on its beaches February through May.
