Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast

Mar 11
11:25

2012

Matthew Barker

Matthew Barker

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Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast stretches for 132 miles. Travelers to this region will find spectacular beaches, abundant wildlife, and a vibrant culture.

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The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica ranks among the top travel destinations in Latin America,Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast Articles but only recently. Given its geography, this stretch of coast, which 132 miles (212 km) from top to bottom, has historically been difficult to access. As a result, this region has developed a distinctive culture, characterized by a strong Afro-Caribbean influence, and its natural features remain well preserved.


Puerto Limón is the capital city of the Limón district, which runs the entire length of this nation’s Caribbean coast. The city has a population of 60,000 and is the center of Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean community. Most residents are descended from Jamaican laborers who immigrated to work on the construction of the railway between Limón and San José. Many of these workers remained in this area because the Costa Rican government restricted their movement outside of the district. Today, the Afro-Caribbean community is firmly established and their heritage is proudly celebrated. Puerto Limón hosts a fall festival in October. The week-long event includes a parade, music, dancing, and a concert.

Ecotourism is one of the main attractions in Costa Rica, and this nation is among the leaders worldwide in developing this industry and has received numerous recognitions. It includes an extensive network of national parks and reserves, many of which are on the Caribbean coast. The other attraction is adventure travel, and Costa Rica’s relatively small size makes it easy for travelers to engage in land and water activities such as volcano hiking, trekking, bungee jumping, surfing, snorkeling, and rafting.

Tortuguero National Park, on the northeastern coast, ranks 3rdamong Costa Rica’s national parks in visitors received. It location makes it difficult to access, and only planes and boats arrive there. The reserve has diverse habitats, including rainforest, swamp, and beach, resulting in incredible biodiversity. The park’s name comes from the turtles that use the beaches as nesting grounds. The rivers and forests host interesting species such as jaguars, sloths, monkeys, manatees, caimans, and crocodiles. There are hiking trails and aquatic trails throughout the park and there are also animal refuges that travelers can visit.

Costa Rica boasts spectacular beach towns on both coasts. On the Caribbean coast, the most popular are Cahuita, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, Manzanillo, and Gandoca. On the southeastern coast, Cahuita is a small city with a strong Afro-Caribbean presence in dining and culture. Black Beach is one of the most popular beaches. Further south is the town of Puerto Viejo, renowned for its excellent surfing beaches, particularly the Salsa Brava, the most powerful swell on these coasts. The most visited beaches are Playa Chiquita and Punta Uva. The nearby beach of Manzanillo is popular for kayaking.