The Costa Rica Caribbean: While the Pacific coast might attract more travelers, the Costa Rica Caribbean coast is just as intriguing. Nesting sea turtles, blue-green water, and a laid-back lifestyle are just some of the attractions in the Costa Rica Caribbean. Our Costa Rica travel route will help you explore it.
San Jose:
Fly into San Jose. Unless you're eager to get to the beaches (and who wouldn't be!), we recommend spending a couple days seeing the sights in and around San Jose, like The National Theater and the Irazú volcano.
San Jose to Tortuguero:
There are two ways to get to
Tortuguero from San Jose: via a half-hour flight on the Costa Rica airline Nature Air, or by bus to Limon and then by boat. Tortuguero's marshy forests and beaches are home to an astounding variety of wildlife. Most famous are the leatherback turtles, Tortuguero's namesake.
Tortuguero to Puerto Limon:
From Tortuguero, take a scenic boat ride to Puerto Limon, the capital of the Costa Rica Caribbean's Limon Province. Limon is a bustling port town, surrounded by rainforest and bordering the Caribbean sea.
Puerto Limon to Puerto Viejo and Cahuita:
Hop on a bus from Puerto Limon to the tiny town of Puerto Vieja de Talamanco, a Costa Rica Caribbean coast favorite. Puerto Viejo offers rare Caribbean surfing at Salsa Brava, as well as unadulterated relaxation on its beaches.
Puerto Viejo to Bocas Del Toro?:
In Puerto Viejo, you're close to the Panama border. If you have any time to spare, take a few days and visit the remarkable Bocas del Toro archipelago, including Bocas Town on Isla Colon, the Zapatillas Cays, and Isla Bastimentos.
San Jose and Home :
Whether you visit Bocas del Toro or remain in Costa Rica for the rest of your trip, at some point you'll want to head home.... Unless, of course, you decide to stay forever!
