Traveling to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
PUERTO VIEJO VIRTUAL TOUR
As you approach Puerto Viejo you start to get an idea of what Caribbean is all about; with turquoise blue waters of the Caribbean Sea on your left, the first beach comes into view where residents are walking their dogs and young ticos are swimming in the crystal clear waters. Welcome to this beachfront resort town famous for its relaxed lifestyle, multicultural population and Caribbean flavor.
At the start of the town on the main road there is a mini supermarket and the Bank of Costa Rica. Ahead are Cabinas Grant, a pancake and fruit juice bar, a soda restaurant and Hotel Pura Vida, all on the seaside on the left.
Veronica’s Place, a local eatery, is nicely situated overlooking the beach and features fresh veggie and organic products and fresh fruit juices. You can hire bikes for the day or week near here as well.
Opposite on the right there is a backpackers’ hostel with an internet café and a small boutique. A road leads inland from here to a bakery and a pharmacy. Back on the main road on the seafront there is a liquor store and a tour office with another internet café.
As we proceed along the beach road south, Chilies Rojo restaurant is next to Swells Surf Bar and Tamara Bar and Restaurant, opposite a barber shop located on the beach side.
Puerto Viejo has a wide range of accommodation and next up is Comibas Cabinas near the hotel Tienda Del Mar followed by the restaurant and bar Mel Par Queccito, all on the right. Continuing south are Cabinas Palmar and Mar Nost Rum Restaurant.
We are now about a third of our way across town along the beach road and here is a simple hardware store followed by Beach Hut Bar & Grill, featuring a roasted pig on a makeshift BBQ spit on the road side. Opposite on the right, Red Eye Scooter has a variety of bikes and motorbikes for rent.
Many eateries line this road and Standfords Restaurant is one of them, located opposite another called Soda Caritas. In Puerto Viejo it is possible to sample varied types of cuisine prepared with fresh fish, with Caribbean Creole being the best pick for its authenticity. Ali Baba Soda is here and so is the Amimodo bar and restaurant that promotes itself for ‘Soul’ food. Opposite, fresh ceviche is a specialty at the Maris Mima Restaurant.
In the next small block on the seaside we have some beachfront cabinas and a bike shop, biking being the most popular way to get around, next to a camping compound on the beach where hammocks can be rented for $4 a night, and a simple hut from $5 a night.
On the right now we come across a line of accommodations and restaurants. First up is the Lotus Garden featuring Asian fusion cuisine, David’s Library with a sushi bar, Jordon’s Jacuzzi Suites and Lizard King Resort and Cabinas, featuring a Mexican restaurant, followed by Exotica Lodge, Coconut Grove with rooms for rent and another fusion cuisine restaurant named Loco Natural.
Next to the beach camping area is a fish shop which sells fresh Red Snapper, Mackerel, Marlin, Corvina, Sea bass, White and Jumbo Scrimp, Calamari, Squid and Clams. Just cook them fresh on the grill with lime and a Creole dip accompanied by a cold beer!
Beachside as we proceed south on the left is Escape Caribbean Bungalows, Cabinas Mariana which offers laundry services, followed by Concrete Jungle Rocking J’s restaurant and bar with internet.
On the right we have just passed Restaurant Elana Brown, Cabinas Sol, a vet shop, Café Kine, a soda with wi fi, Cabinas Horizon, Mini Super Bryant, and a laundry outlet.
So there it is, a quick tour through Puerto Viejo Costa Rica.
