Luxury Puerto Viejo Vacations & Tours made for you
Costa Rica
A Caribbean escape
The easy-going and stylish southern Caribbean stretch of coast that forms Puerto Viejo in Costa Rica is no exception to the country’s widespread biodiversity and prime choice of nature reserves. Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge are both waiting to be explored, but there are also plenty of other things to do here. A day trip to Panama’s Bocas del Toro coral reefs is spellbinding, as are the many cultural tours, cycling routes and boat charters on offer.
Located just under an hour southeast of Limón, the vibe in Puerto Viejo is unhurried and youthful. The beaches, deserted in places, are also dotted with cool beach bars playing reggae in others. The waters are generally calm and crystalline, except for the perfect surfing waves off the Salsa Brava beach. At every turn you’ll find the sights and sounds of the buzzing rainforest waiting to greet you.
Puerto Viejo is actually set on the edge of the Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge, whose vegetation brushes the high tide line and are brimming with eagles, pelicans, caimans, and tapirs. In the water, its reefs are equally alive with sea turtles, dolphins, blue parrot fish and other dazzling marine life.
Understandably growing in popularity year on year, the relaxing charm of Puerto Viejo has brought a number of intimately chic hotels to its shores and visitors can choose from boutique boltholes to eco-friendly cabins a stone’s throw from the virgin beaches or first-rate restaurants.
From our experts
Experiences picked by our Puerto Viejo specialists
Surf Salsa Brava
Feel the thrill of world class surfing at Salsa Brava beach
Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center
Discover Costa Rica’s incredible biodiversity at the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge and Jaguar Rescue Center
Soak up the Caribbean coast's laid-back atmosphere
Enjoy the laidback Caribbean vibes that make this coastline a beachside paradise
A word from one of our experts
Puerto Viejo strikes the perfect balance between serene coastal getaway and abundant natural paradise. The atmosphere is distinctly Caribbean – think laidback, sun-filled days followed by vibrant nights lit up by music, bars and restaurants.
Dan Scott-Kerr
Luxury accommodation in Puerto Viejo
There are many incredible places to stay in Puerto Viejo. Here are some of our favourites, handpicked by our travel designers:
Why book with Jacada?
-
Personalised design
We’ll plan your trip around your specific interests, tastes and preferences, providing helpful tips and honest advice based on first-hand knowledge of the destination.
-
Authentic experiences
Our expert guides and brilliant travel concierges are hand-picked to provide a genuine experience, bringing your destination to life with care and passion.
-
Responsible travel
Our luxury trips are designed with responsible travel principles that prioritise travel experiences that are both good for you and good for the planet.
Trip inspiration
Get inspired with our Costa Rica example trips and then get in touch to plan your own adventure
Costa Rica Family Explorer
This 11 day trip is perfect for families, blending adventure with relaxation. Begin in Tortuguero, exploring dense rainforests, rivers and lagoons where birds,…
Explore trip
An Active Adventure Through Costa Rica
Costa Rica is one big outdoor playground with its beautiful rainforest, impressive volcanoes, idyllic coastline and white-sand beaches. On this 11-day Costa Ri…
Explore trip
Highlights of Costa Rica and Panama
From the lush jungles of Costa Rica, full of incredible wildlife, to the outstanding engineering of the Panama Canal, this nine-day journey introduces you to s…
Explore tripDiscover more of Costa Rica
-
Arenal
Nowhere else in Costa Rica allows you the luxurious yet captivating proximity to a (now) dormant volcano encircled by rich rainforest, dive…
Read more
-
Boca Tapada
You’ll find Boca Tapada nearby the mouth of the San Carlos river in Costa Rica’s Northern Lowlands. It’s an area of unspo…
Read more
-
Central Valley
Coffee hills near the capital.
Read more
-
Cerros de Turrubares
Nestled between the Rio Grande de Tarcoles to the north and the Fila Negra mountains to the west, Cerros de Turrubares is a wonderfully rur…
Read more
-
Dominical
Situated forty five km from Quepos, Dominical is a sleepy surf village located on the Southern Pacific coast of Costa Rica and home to a se…
Read more
-
Guanacaste
Wide stretches of golden solitary beaches, wildlife reserves jostling with exotic nature, a dry consistent climate, great surfing spots, an…
Read more
-
Jacó
Jacó is THE surfer beach town of Costa Rica. And whilst not as sleepy as it used to be due to growing popularity, it still offers the best…
Read more
-
Manuel Antonio
With its accessibility, teeming national park, turquoise marine reserve, white coral beaches and range of luxury hotels, Manuel Antonio is…
Read more
-
Monteverde
Costa Rica’s central highlands are dotted with a number of exquisite and captivatingly biodiverse cloud forests. Typified by elevated and t…
Read more
-
Nicoya Peninsula
Known for its stunning semi-deserted beaches linked together by grey stone cliffs or tangles of knotted mangroves, the rustic Nicoya Penins…
Read more
-
Orosi Valley
It makes sense that Costa Rica’s fertile Central Valley, ringed by volcanoes and stretching in a verdant arc from San Ramon lying to the we…
Read more
-
Osa Peninsula
The Osa Peninsula is one of the most remote locations in Costa Rica. But its seclusion has everything to do with its inimitability, making…
Read more
-
Pacuare
25,000 acres of primary, virgin rainforest stretching from the Talamanca Cordillera to the eastern Caribbean lowlands are nurtured by the s…
Read more
-
Rincón de la Vieja
Discover a world of wildlife and geology at this exciting National Park which boasts 34,800 acres of flourishing nature and volcanic wonder…
Read more
-
Río Celeste
The north of Costa Rica remains largely off the beaten path, but if you’d like to get under the country’s skin and explore further afield,…
Read more
-
San Gerardo de Dota
The newly created Los Quetzales National Park named after its most famous and elusive resident, the resplendent quetzal, is a bird watching…
Read more
-
San José
Costa Rica may be renowned as a bountiful, serene paradise, but lesser known is its cosmopolitan heart: San José. Positioned in the mid-wes…
Read more
-
Sarapiquí
Sarapiquí is a small but beautiful region. It is an area frequented in particular by eco-tourists yet is also a regular if not unmissable s…
Read more
-
Tortuguero
A dense and intricate network of rivers, lagoons, and canals crisscross 11 different habitats of rainforest, swamp and beach, to be explore…
Read more
-
Turrialba
Just a mere forty miles (65 km) east of San Jose in the Central Valley region of Cartago, Turrialba is a wonderfully rustic area in which t…
Read more
Meet your Latin America team
-
Berni De Luca
Client Experience Manager for Latin America
-
Charles Kronsten
Senior Travel Designer
-
Dan Scott-Kerr
Travel Designer
-
Delfina Russo
Travel Designer
-
Demi Roberts
Senior Travel Designer
-
Em Jennison
Travel designer
-
Flavia Toledo
Latin America Concierge
-
James Sirotkin
Travel Designer
-
Jennifer Richt
Senior Travel Designer
-
Kit Wong
Senior Travel Designer
-
Lily Bunker
Senior Travel Designer
-
Lizzie Slater
Travel Designer
-
Melanie Vieira
Senior Concierge – Latin America
When to visit
The year in Costa Rica is split between the dry season, which runs from December to April, and the green season, which runs from May to November. No matter when you go, Costa Rica offers the chance to discover some amazing ecosystems and see fascinating wildlife all year round. As Puerto Viejo is a coastal destination, we advise visiting during the dry season to make the most of the activities available. We recommend avoiding travelling from September to October as many regions experience heavy rainfall during this time.
Dry season
December – April
Green season
May – November
When Is the Best Time to Visit Costa Rica?
Costa Rica travel guides
The Best Family-Friendly Lodges in Costa Rica
Discover our expertly curated list of the best hotels to choose for your family adventure in Costa Rica. Learn about the facilities that can make all the diffe…
Read more
The 8 Best Family Things to Do in Costa Rica
Families visiting Costa Rica will find a wide range of activities year-round. Our travel designers highlight the best wildlife, water adventures, zip lines, ho…
Read more
The Best Things to Do in Costa Rica During the Green Season
Costa Rica in the green season is quiet, green and full of life. The rain keeps the jungle fresh, animals are easier to spot and waterfalls are at their most i…
Read more
The Best Countries to Combine in Latin America
Let diverse and varied adventures unfold when you visit more than one country on your trip to Latin America. Explore activity and nature-focused journeys and l…
Read more
The Best Hikes in South America
Get ready to explore South America’s best hiking trails. Marvel at remarkable landscapes across high-altitude peaks, through sultry cloud forests and on gliste…
Read more
Don't take our word for it
“We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada…”
We enjoyed our first trip with Jacada and it surely won't be our last! Every detail and moment of our trip was perfectly planned. We were met every step of the way with courteous and knowledgeable drivers and guides. We really appreciated the local guides and the commitment they had to make every day special. Thank you Jacada for the…
“heavenly honeymoon”
My wife and I used Jacada to plan our honeymoon to French Polynesia. Working with the Jacada team was fantastic and effortless. Every question was quickly answered. Every hiccup was quickly addressed. We felt like we were in the hands of experts who are equally passionate about travel, and who were committed to helping us have the trip of a…
“Jacada Travel has been outstanding”
We enjoy traveling and we have used Jacada Travel for some wonderful trips over several years. We have never been disappointed. In 2024 we took a Safari in Botswana Africa and walked with the gorillas in Rwanda planned by Jacada and the itinerary was amazing. In 2025 we had planned a trip to Antartica ( with another company ) but…
“Communication and organization were…”
Communication and organization were excellent. The Jacada team was helpful and genuinely interested in our experience. The guides were personable, knowledgeable, and clearly enjoy their work. Vehicles were spotless, timely, and coordinators managed our every need brilliantly. I will recommend Jacada to friends and family. The only way to travel!
“Iceland 8 Days”
We had a wonderful trip planned through Jacada. We enjoyed the venues and the excursions. This is a beautiful place we'd recommend to anyone who wants to go on a new adventure.
Your trip, your story
We craft trips deeply personal, delightfully surprising and entirely one of a kind. Every Jacada journey begins in conversation with a travel designer, a specialist in their destination of expertise. Behind each journey is a wealth of insight, gathered over years of on-the-ground exploration.
Once you’re booked, you’ll meet your concierge. Based in the region you’re visiting, they’ll take care of all the details so your mind is at rest. They make the trip truly special – and truly yours.