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Aerial view of a forested coastline beside turquoise waters.

Costa Rica · Puerto Viejo & Cahuita

Water and adventure

Snorkelling, dolphins, surf, kayaking and ziplines between Cahuita and Manzanillo.

9 places1 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. 1

    WaterRestricted access

    Snorkelling on the Cahuita reef

    Off Punta Cahuita, departing from Cahuita town11.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    from about $45
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Guided outings to the coral areas off Punta Cahuita and Puerto Vargas, within about 600 ha of protected reef.

    You may not snorkel the park’s reef on your own: only with an accredited guide or operator, who usually takes you by boat to Punta Cahuita. For unguided snorkelling, try Punta Uva on calm days.

    Source: GetYourGuide – Snorkel in Cahuita National Park · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Shared tours of about 2 hours from about $45–49 per person on booking platforms (2026); the price varies with what is included.

    Tip: Book with accredited local operators in Cahuita and pick calm days: with swell, visibility drops sharply. Use biodegradable sunscreen and do not touch the coral.

    Nearby: Puerto Vargas sector (Cahuita National Park) (1 km) · Cahuita National Park (1.1 km) · Playa Blanca–Punta Cahuita–Puerto Vargas coastal trail (3.7 km)

    Sources: GetYourGuide – Snorkel in Cahuita National Park · Costa Rica Experts – Cahuita National Park guide · SINAC – Parque Nacional Cahuita

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  2. 2

    WaterOpen

    Dolphin-watching tour in Gandoca-Manzanillo

    Departs from Manzanillo beach10.9 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Boat trips from Manzanillo beach to look for bottlenose, tucuxi and sometimes spotted dolphins off Gandoca, inside the refuge.

    Source: ATEC – Dolphin watching in Manzanillo · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $$ · US$15–50
    Time needed
    2 to 3 hours.

    Tip: Pick community operators (for example ATEC or Gandoca Tours) that do not chase the animals and keep their distance.

    Nearby: Manzanillo village and beach (0 km) · Snorkelling and diving on the Manzanillo reefs (1.2 km) · Ara Manzanillo (great green macaws) (3.1 km)

    Sources: ATEC – Dolphin watching in Manzanillo · Gandoca Tours – Dolphin watching and visit Punta Mona

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  3. 3

    WaterOpen

    Snorkelling and diving on the Manzanillo reefs

    Off Manzanillo10.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    The refuge protects coral reefs close to shore between Punta Uva, Manzanillo and Punta Mona; there are dive centres at Punta Uva and boat snorkel tours.

    Source: Crystal Jungle Villa – Snorkeling in Puerto Viejo (2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Visibility depends on the sea and the rain: September and October often bring clearer water.

    Nearby: Manzanillo village and beach (1.2 km) · Dolphin-watching tour in Gandoca-Manzanillo (1.2 km) · Kayak or SUP on the Punta Uva river (3 km)

    Sources: Crystal Jungle Villa – Snorkeling in Puerto Viejo (2026) · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Hiking the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge

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  4. 4

    WaterOpen

    Kayak or SUP on the Punta Uva river

    River mouth at Punta Uva7.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A gentle paddle up the Punta Uva river estuary through the jungle, where river turtles, birds and sloths are often seen.

    Source: Caribe Sur CR – Punta Uva · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Punta Uva Beach (0.8 km) · Ara Manzanillo (great green macaws) (1.7 km) · Playa Chiquita (2.7 km)

    Sources: Caribe Sur CR – Punta Uva · My Tan Feet – Punta Uva visitor’s guide

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  5. 5

    WaterOpen

    Surf lessons at Cocles and Playa Negra

    Playa Cocles and Playa Negra (Puerto Viejo)2.4 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Town schools teach beginners on the beach-break waves of Cocles and Playa Negra, away from the Salsa Brava reef.

    Source: SurfSchools – Surf schools in Puerto Viejo (2026) · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Tip: Cocles has strong rip currents: learn only with an instructor and ask the school about the best tide that day.

    Nearby: Cocles Beach (0 km) · Guided jungle night walk (0 km) · Caribeans chocolate forest tour (Cocles) (1 km)

    Sources: SurfSchools – Surf schools in Puerto Viejo (2026) · Crystal Jungle Villa – Surfing in Puerto Viejo (2026)

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  6. 6

    WaterSeasonal

    Salsa Brava (surf break)

    Off the east end of central Puerto Viejo0.5 km from the centre

    Entry
    Free
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A powerful, hollow reef wave off central Puerto Viejo, the best known on the country’s Caribbean coast. Surfers are easy to watch from shore.

    It only works well with the December-to-March swell and is for expert surfers: it breaks over a sharp, shallow reef, especially at low tide. If you are not advanced, watch from shore and take lessons at Cocles or Playa Negra.

    Source: Tico Times – Surfing the Caribbean’s waves · 2022 · +1

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Puerto Viejo farmers’ and artisans’ market (0.4 km) · Puerto Viejo nightlife (0.5 km) · Afro-Caribbean food: rice and beans, rondón and patty (0.5 km)

    Sources: Tico Times – Surfing the Caribbean’s waves · Costa Rica Waves – Salsa Brava

  7. 7

    AdventureOpen

    Zipline canopy tour near Puerto Viejo

    Hills near Puerto Viejo (departs from town)0.2 km from the centre

    Entry
    from $59
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A zipline and platform circuit over the forest in the hills near Puerto Viejo, with transport from town.

    Source: Terraventuras – Canopy tour Puerto Viejo · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    Terraventuras lists it from $59 per person (children 4–11, 50%).
    Time needed
    Half a day with transport; departures around 8:00 and 13:00. Not for children under 4.

    Nearby: Puerto Viejo farmers’ and artisans’ market (0.1 km) · Puerto Viejo nightlife (0.2 km) · Afro-Caribbean food: rice and beans, rondón and patty (0.2 km)

    Sources: Terraventuras – Canopy tour Puerto Viejo · Puerto Viejo Satellite – Caribbean canopy and zipline

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  8. 8

    NatureOpen

    Bribri waterfalls (Volio and others)

    Near Bribri, about 15–25 min by car from Puerto Viejo12.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Waterfalls in the indigenous territory near Bribri; the best known, Volio, drops about 15 m into a rocky pool after a short walk up the riverbed.

    Source: Bribri Costa Rica – Waterfalls guide · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $ · under US$15

    Tip: A small entry fee goes to the community and a local guide is recommended: rocks are slippery and the river rises fast with afternoon rain.

    Nearby: Cacao Trails (cacao museum) (8.1 km) · Cacao tour with Bribri families (10.5 km) · Kéköldi indigenous territory (11.2 km)

    Sources: Bribri Costa Rica – Waterfalls guide · Forever Vacation – BriBri Waterfalls

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  9. 9

    AdventureOpen

    Cycling the coast road

    Route 256, Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo0.3 km from the centre

    Entry
    $3
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Bikes are the usual way to cover the 13 km coast road between Puerto Viejo, Cocles, Chiquita, Punta Uva and Manzanillo; you can rent one by the day in town.

    Source: Wikipedia – Puerto Viejo de Talamanca · 2026 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    About $3–12 a day, according to a 2025 blog.

    Tip: Bike theft is common: lock the frame and wheel, and do not ride at night on unlit roads. There are unpaved, potholed stretches toward Manzanillo.

    Nearby: Puerto Viejo nightlife (0 km) · Afro-Caribbean food: rice and beans, rondón and patty (0 km) · Puerto Viejo farmers’ and artisans’ market (0.1 km)

    Sources: Wikipedia – Puerto Viejo de Talamanca · Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Road conditions of specific routes

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