Caribbean Coast Tour

Get a taste of the Central Valley and Caribbean Coast by taking our amazing Caribbean Tour in Costa Rica! The Central Valley of Costa Rica is considered the heart of the country. It is home to the capital city of San Jose and neighboring towns such as Alajuela, Heredia, and Cartago. Two-thirds of the country's population lives here. The Central Valley is an excellent starting point for exploration because of the wide range of day excursions available from the area. You can enjoy day trips to coffee farms, join various cultural tours, view volcanic craters, see beautiful lagoons and even go on world-class whitewater rafting excursions. The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is a lovely area to explore and experience the laid-back lifestyle, very flavorful food, and unique Afro-Caribbean culture. The Caribbean Coast's heart and soul, this region's rich tastes have made it a tourist favorite for those wishing to unwind and have some fun in the sun. When you arrive at Puerto Limon, the provincial capital of Limon, you will experience an entirely different world from the one you left behind in San Jose. The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is generally less touristy than the Pacific side of the country. You will visit stunningly beautiful beaches, eat at various restaurants that offer delicious local Afro-Caribbean cuisines, and you will go on excursions to a National Park. You will introduce you to the culture of the Caribbean and the various types of living accommodations available in the area. Once you reserve your spot on tour, you will have access to our expert team of relocation consultants who are very knowledgeable in the areas of Costa Rican culture, residency, real estate, and investing in Costa Rica. If you are interested in relocating to Costa Rica, take advantage of the opportunity to join our Virtual Relocation Tour. Get a head-start on making your move to Costa Rica with our advice and information!

What will I experience?

You will experience Costa Rica on this tour by visiting popular places in the Central Valley and on the Caribbean Coast. Do not miss an excellent opportunity to take a Caribbean tour in Costa Rica to be introduced to the area's lifestyle, environment, and infrastructure.

Below is just an example tour schedule. Feel free to make any changes suitable for your trip!

Day #1

Day #2

We will visit the Irazú volcano near Cartago, one of the 3 active volcanos in the Central Valley
Basilica in Cartago is a must see!
Lunch
We embark on a tour of the neighboring towns of Escazu, Santa Ana, Ciudad Colon, Lindora, Valle del Sol.
Dinner at Hotel

Day #3

The Caribbean is calling! We leave San Jose and drive to Cahuita via Vara Blanca, Sarapiqui, Guapiles, Siquirres, Limon. On the way, we have lunch in one of the typical Tico restaurants.
We will check into our hotel in Cahuita, the Suizo Loco Lodge.
We have dinner at The Sobre Las Olas Restaurant right on the ocean – with the best “Coco Loco” drink in the area.

Day #4

After breakfast, we will begin an adventurous day in the Cahuita National Park. Walking along the golden beaches to Punta Cahuita, you will experience the beautiful fauna and flora of the area. Returning by boat, you have the opportunity to snorkel amidst the coral reefs.
Lunch at the hotel
Tour of Cahuita and vicinity, checking out available houses and building lots for sale (on request). Or chill by the pool.
Dinner at Hotel

Day #5

We will drive further south to Puerto Viejo, visit Punta Uva, Manzanillo, looking at available properties on our way. Then we have lunch at typical beach restaurant in Manzanillo.
We will embark on a short hike to the beaches of Gandoca and Manzanillo.
In the afternoon we visit Lapa Verde Bird Sanctuary, right in time for the feeding session.
We check in at our hotel in Cocles, the Cariblue.
Dinner at Hotel

Day #6

Day #7

The Lifestyle

The Caribbean coast sits between Nicaragua and Panama, and there are around 125 miles of beautiful white-sand beaches lined with coconut trees - the ideal tropical paradise. The majority of the residents on the Caribbean Coast are of Afro-Caribbean descent, having moved here from Jamaica or other Caribbean islands to work on the railways or in the banana plantations, which continue to sustain and account for a significant portion of the province's exports. Bananas are now a big industry in Southern Limon, and you will see a lot of them if you take a tour of the region today. Visiting the towns on the Caribbean Coast, you'll find yourself in a mini-Jamaica. You may meet dreadlocked Rastafarians, hear reggae and calypso music playing in the streets and smell delicious Costa Rican Creole cooking aromas. These towns are an adventure in and of themselves, welcoming newcomers with open arms and hearts. Also, in this region of the country, visitors can interact with several indigenous Indian tribes that have lived in the area for thousands of years.

The Food

During our Caribbean Tour in Costa Rica, you will enjoy the Caribbean food, and you will see how delicious it is - rich in spice and intensely aromatic tastes, but the remainder of the country's traditional flavors are anything but hot or strong. Ginger, allspice, curry, and cinnamon are all typical Caribbean spices. Coconut is unquestionably the most popular Caribbean flavor.

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Your Tour Destinations

The Caribbean Coast may have been a less popular tourist destination in the country due to the long drive from the capital San Jose (about 4 hours drive), in the past. Once the new highway's construction is finalized, this will change shortly, cutting the driving time by about 1 hour. Also, there is the possibility to fly from San Jose and other areas of the country into the Limon airport. The area offers visitors many activities to enjoy, including sportfishing, snorkeling, diving, hiking, and sunbathing. Undoubtedly, the biggest crowd-puller is the beautiful beaches.

Playa Cahuita

Tucked along the sprawling southern Caribbean Coast, the beautiful black-sand beaches of Cahuita are some of the most relaxing and exotic in Limon. Boasting warm, calm waters, this tropical paradise is ideal for laid-back travelers seeking a getaway in a quaint beach community. The town sits next to one of the most visited national parks in Costa Rica: Cahuita National Park. Cahuita is becoming more popular among travelers, but it remains a low-key beach town with tranquil shorelines and picturesque hiking trails. Some trails lead to a nearby coastal rainforest, which is even more relaxing and secluded than the town's beaches. The region's tropical climate is consistent throughout the year, making it a great place to visit year-round. If you are a foodie, the unique Afro-Caribbean cuisine of Cahuita is sure to fire up your taste buds. Dessert crepes are very popular and are primarily made with local bananas, strawberries, and chocolate.

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Cahuita National Park

Established in September 1970. Cahuita National Park is filled with rich biodiversity. Beginning at the southern tip of Cahuita, the park spans nearly 55,000 acres of protected marine environments and land ecosystems and 600 acres of living coral reef in addition to its land coverage. Cahuita is one of two parks that protects a coral reef. Expect hot and humid weather here all year long, with the possibility of rain showers at virtually any time. However, the two dry seasons stretch from March to May and September to November. Hiking here is perfect for less-experienced individuals, as the trails are primarily sandy and even; however, they can get treacherous during heavy rains. Because of the coral reef at the park, snorkeling and scuba diving are very popular when the waters are calm, and visibility is good. Off the park's coast, two shipwreck sites are easy to explore during a diving trip. From the Kelly Creek Ranger Station to Puerto Vargas, a 4.4-mile coastal walking trail extends for ideal wildlife viewing. Monkeys and sloths are often seen here frolicking and eating in trees. Cahuita National Park is also an important nesting site for the leatherback turtles between March and July. Three other marine species of turtles also use the beaches of Cahuita to lay their eggs.

Puerto Viejo

Located on the southern shores of the Caribbean Sea, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a beach lover's dream. Formerly a quiet little fishing village, Puerto Viejo has a charm all of its own. Amidst the exotic flora and fauna lies a vibrant seaside town with gorgeous beaches, crystal clear blue waters, and some of the most fantastic surfing opportunities. Many international surfers travel here from all over the globe to ride the renowned Salsa Brava waves, making this Caribbean-influenced village a ‘must visit' when in Limon.

Punta Uva

Although Puerto Viejo is the main town in the Caribbean South of Costa Rica, Punta Uva is a favorite among many visitors. A tiny village with a few restaurants, hotels, and private beach homes, the main attractions are the stunning beaches, quiet atmosphere, wildlife, and beautiful viewpoints. It’s the perfect escape for people who want to get away from noisier and more crowded parts of the area. Playa Punta Uva and Playa Punta Uva Arrecife are two of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica, with palm tree-dotted beaches, turquoise water, and soft tan sand. The two beaches are separated by a rocky little sightseeing spot featuring a short hiking trail.

Playa Manzanillo / Gandoca

The little laid-back fishing community of Playa Manzanillo is the final settlement due south of the surfing mecca of Puerto Viejo. It is located inside the beautiful Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife and Marine Refuge. The primary attraction of this little town is its magnificent white sand beach strip, lined with palm trees and its inviting calm and mild waters. The Gandoca / Manzanillo Preserve is categorized as a humid tropical rainforest. It protects the only natural mangrove oyster beds found along the coastal reefs, the unique orey and jolillo palm swamps, and numerous ecosystems such as a lowland rainforest, wetlands, and the last complete mangrove swamp on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

Lapa Verde Sanctuary

We have the opportunity to visit the Lapa Verde Sanctuary and observe these magnificent birds up close during feeding time. The Great Green Macaw (Ara ambiguus) is classified as a species endangered of extinction (Appendix 1) per the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). In 2009, the worldwide population was estimated at only 1500 individuals, with approximately 350 in Costa Rica (E. Monge 2010). In 2016, the species is still determined to suffer very rapid and continuing population declines (BirdLife International 2016). To reduce the risk of disappearance, all efforts to conserve and reintroduce this species are of great importance. Starting in 2010, Ara Manzanillo has contributed approximately 60 individuals to the free-flying population, increasing the country's Great Green population by 17% and the world population by 4%. Few conservation projects have made such a significant impact on the comeback of a species in grave danger of extinction. Ara Manzanillo is a Costa Rican-licensed, non-profit organization with government oversight. The project is professionally staffed and works in close collaboration with the Ministry for the Environment of Costa Rica.

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The Cocoa Tour

The tour leads us along the Telirey arm of the Sixaola River in a traditional dug-out canoe to an organic cocoa farm on the border with Panama. You will take a walk through the farm and the forest to know the cocoa fruit and bean and taste their pulp. You will learn more about its traditional cultivation and importance according to the Bribri view of the world. During our Caribbean Tour in Costa Rica, you will experience the complete process of making chocolate, from harvesting, fermentation, drying, roasting to grinding and the final cocoa paste. You will participate in the traditional way of preparing chocolate and tasting this indigenous product. Strolling through the farm, you will discover the typical vegetation of the area and learn about the construction materials the Bribri use to build their houses. At the end of our Cocoa Tour, we have the privilege to be invited to a Bribri lunch.

Bribri clan

In the center of Bambu Talamanca (the Bribri indigenous region), a tourist and cultural center, "Ditsowo U," is built with traditional materials and a traditional style. This word in the Bribri language does not have a simple translation, but literary means "maize house" or "corn house," the sacred food of indigenous Bribri, which with its different colors represents the different cultures and communities. When you enter this magical space, a series of fences will lead you to the positive energy and tranquility that helps you escape from everyday life. There are no closed rooms with air conditioning, but Ditsowo U offers you a better luxury. The place connects you with the nature around it, and thanks to its open structure, you can enjoy all of the facets and treasures. We will meet with the leading representatives of the clan and children of the family.