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Trip Report
Costa Rica Puerto Viejo. Itinerary on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica.
Exploring the Carribean coast of Costa Rica. Working at a yoga retreat , spending hours on the wild natural beaches, and discovering the jungles filled with Costa Rican wildlife.
+ 6
North AmericaCosta Rica26 days / February - March 2023
Highs & Lows
Horsebackriding on the beach in Cahuita!
It rained almost everyday.
Itinerary Overview
I volunteered at a yoga retreat center called Tierra De Suenos, in Puerto Viejo. There I worked in the kitchen serving food to the guests, cooking, and cleaning. The retreat was situated in a beautiful jungle surrounded by sloths, monkeys, and other native animals. When I had my days off I would explore Puerto Viejo on my bike that I rented , go to the beaches, play volleyball, explore the national parks, and learn how to live the Caribbean Tico way. I made friends from all over the world, and tasted amazing traditional Caribbean home cooked dishes. This trip was definitely one for the books!
Playa Cocles There are so many things to do in Puerto Viejo Costa Rica like experience Tico hospitality and enjoy the nature around you
1+Parque Nacional Cahuita is one of the coolest places I’ve been to in Costa Rica. The vibe is super chill and laid back, and the beaches are out of this world. We went snorkeling and saw so many colorful fish and even some sea turtles. It was like swimming in an aquarium! And don't get me started on the sloths - those little guys are just adorable. We also hiked the trails and saw all kinds of wildlife, like monkeys and iguanas. The only downside is that the park can get pretty crowded, especially on weekends, but it's totally worth it. And if you get hungry, there are some great little restaurants just outside the park that serve up some delicious seafood. Overall, if you’re into nature and want to see some amazing wildlife and beautiful beaches, Parque Nacional Cahuita is the place to be.
Playa Chiquita This location was further from town and more peaceful. The beaches were less crowded and more wild. The water was pristine
2+I loved the location a lot. When the weather was hot and not raining it was super beautiful and the beaches are really unique with the palm trees hanging over the water. There’s a rawness to this spot in Puerto Viejo that you can’t find anywhere else. It is a bit far from town so if you’re looking for some peace and quiet with only the jungle noises around you, this is the perfect place for you. I recommend going to Gypsea Cafe on your way back from a day at the beach. They have great breakfast and lunch food!
Q & A
What would you have changed?
I would have changed the lodging for the volunteers. The house was dirty and old.Anything go wrong during the trip?
I had a medical issue, but luckily there was an amazing doctor in town who spoke English. He was super professional and the medical procedure went much smoother than I thought it would!
Restaurant recommendations?
The food at Tierra de Suenos was out of this world! The chefs used wholesome and healthy ingredients and the dishes always tasted as good as they looked. Koki beach restaurant and Socca restaurant were both delicious as well.Tips you would give a friend?
Be ready to get wet! You never know when it will rain. Being a good bug spray. If you’re a light sleeper bring ear plugs for the howler monkeys and some parties that go very late.Transportation Tips?
The tuk tuks are the transportation in Puerto Viejo but it’s much cheaper to rent a bike to get around.
Lodging
Selena hostel
Tierrra de Suenos. The lodging for the volunteers was not as clean and nice as the lodging for the guests. Could have been much cleaner