Staying in Playa Chiquita puts you in one of the most naturally privileged positions on the Costa Rican Caribbean coast. You're close enough to Puerto Viejo to access its restaurants, surf breaks, and cultural scene — and far enough away to actually hear the jungle at night.
This guide covers the best things to do in and around Playa Chiquita and Puerto Viejo, organized by type of experience. Whether you're here for a week of pure relaxation or want to fill every day with something new, the area delivers.
Located right in Playa Chiquita, about 5 km south of Puerto Viejo, the Jaguar Rescue Center is one of the most rewarding experiences in the entire Caribbean region. This wildlife rehabilitation center cares for injured and orphaned animals — sloths, toucans, howler monkeys, ocelots, poison dart frogs, and more — with the goal of releasing them back into the wild.
Guided tours run daily and last about 90 minutes. Guides explain each animal's story and the conservation work behind the scenes. Cost is around $25 per person. It's a short walk or bike ride from Jungle Tide Villas — one of the most worthwhile mornings you'll spend in Costa Rica.
You don't need to go far. The Playa Chiquita area borders the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, and the biodiversity is immediate. Guests at Jungle Tide Villas regularly spot sloths hanging from nearby trees, toucans perched at breakfast time, and howler monkeys making themselves known at dawn. Just before sunset, keep an eye on the sky: the daily flight of Great Green Macaws heading home through the canopy is something visitors consistently describe as one of the highlights of their trip.
The jungle trail that leads down to Playa Chiquita is a short walk through roots and trees — wear closed shoes if you tend to watch the canopy more than the ground.
About 20 minutes north of Playa Chiquita, Cahuita National Park is one of the most biodiverse and accessible national parks in Costa Rica — and one of the very few that is free to enter (donations accepted). The coastal trail runs through jungle alongside the Caribbean sea, with opportunities to spot eyelash pit vipers, white-faced monkeys, agouti, raccoons, sloths, and dozens of bird species. The reef offshore is one of the healthiest coral ecosystems on Costa Rica's Caribbean side, excellent for snorkeling.
South of Playa Chiquita toward Manzanillo, this refuge protects mangroves, coral reefs, and nesting beaches for sea turtles. The area is quieter and less visited than Cahuita, which means more wildlife and more solitude. Leatherback and hawksbill sea turtles nest here seasonally (typically March–October). Kayaking through the mangroves is a particularly memorable way to explore it.
Playa Chiquita itself is worth far more than one visit. It's actually a series of small natural bays separated by rocky outcrops, which means on a given morning you can find a bay with no one else in it. The water is calm in the bays, the sand is fine, and the beach has been awarded the Bandera Azul — Costa Rica's certification for clean, healthy beaches. There are no vendors, no lounge chairs for rent, no noise. That's the point.
Low tide reveals natural tide pools excellent for kids and casual snorkelers. Bring your own food and water — there are no services on the beach itself.
A 10–15 minute bike ride south of Playa Chiquita, Punta Uva is consistently ranked among the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica. The water is exceptionally clear with a turquoise color that photographs improbably well. It's slightly more visited than Chiquita but still uncrowded by any normal standard. There's a small restaurant nearby. Go early for the best light and fewest people.
A few kilometers north toward Puerto Viejo, Playa Cocles is the area's main surf beach. It's an exposed beach-and-reef break that works at any tide, making it reliable for both lessons and experienced surfers. The vibe here is more active — beach bars, surf rentals, people. Worth the trip even if you're not surfing, just to feel the contrast with the quieter beaches to the south.
Caribe Horse Riding Club and Playa Chiquita Riding Adventures both offer guided horseback tours along the coastline south of Puerto Viejo. Rides range from 1 to 2.5 hours and go through jungle trails as well as along the beach. No riding experience is required — guides provide full attention to first-timers. This is a genuinely special experience: riding along the Caribbean at a slow pace with nothing but jungle on one side and sea on the other.
The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica has some of the most accessible coral reef snorkeling in Central America. Cahuita National Park's reef is the most visited, but the waters around Punta Uva and sections of Playa Chiquita at low tide also reward anyone with a mask. Rent gear in Puerto Viejo or ask at your villa — basic snorkel sets are widely available.
Kayak tours into the mangroves of the Gandoca-Manzanillo refuge are operated by local outfitters and offer a quiet, close-up encounter with the ecosystem. Sloth sightings are common — they move slowly enough that even a kayak can keep pace. Tours typically run 2–3 hours and include a guide.
If you've been thinking about trying surfing, the Caribbean is a more forgiving place to start than the Pacific. Surf the Jungle and other local schools operate at Playa Cocles with instructors who are patient with beginners and know the breaks well. Most lessons run 2 hours and include board rental.
For the adrenaline contingent: Ceibo Adventure Caribe operates zipline tours through the jungle canopy near Puerto Viejo. The giant ceibo tree at the center of the experience rises over 65 meters high, with three platforms offering different activities — including a transparent tent where couples can spend the night under the stars. It's theatrical and genuinely impressive.
The coastal road from Puerto Viejo south to Manzanillo is one of the best bike routes in Costa Rica — flat, mostly paved, lined with jungle on one side and glimpses of Caribbean on the other, with beaches to stop at along the way. Rent bikes in Puerto Viejo or near the villas and take your time. The full round trip to Manzanillo is about 24 km and easily done in a half day with stops.
The Puerto Viejo area has a long history of cacao cultivation, and several local producers now offer hands-on chocolate-making experiences. Chocorart and Caribeans Coffee & Chocolate both offer tours where you follow the process from raw cacao bean to finished bar. It's educational, delicious, and deeply local — the cacao trees are grown on-site. A great half-morning activity, especially with kids.
The Bri-Bri are the indigenous people of the Talamanca region, and several community-run tourism initiatives allow visitors to spend a day learning about their culture, traditional medicine, cacao ceremonies, and way of life. This is one of the most authentic cultural experiences available in the Caribbean zone — expect a boat ride into the mountains, jungle walks, and a traditional meal. Book through local tour operators in Puerto Viejo.
Puerto Viejo itself is worth an evening — or several. The town has a distinctly Caribbean character: reggae music, Afro-Caribbean food, open-air bars, and a colorful mix of locals and travelers. The main strip has enough restaurants, coffee shops, and craft spots to keep you busy without feeling like a tourist trap.
Pura Gula (Playa Chiquita) — Mediterranean-leaning menu with fresh local ingredients. The pad thai and tuna steak have loyal followings. Dinner only, closed Tuesdays.
El Nido e'Pulecenella (Playa Chiquita) — Authentic Neapolitan pizza from a wood-fired brick oven. Surprising, specific, and excellent.
Bread and Chocolate (Puerto Viejo) — The breakfast institution of the area. Fresh-baked bread, sandwiches, jerk chicken, house-made chocolate truffles. Arrive early; it fills up.
Grow (Puerto Viejo) — Organic, locally sourced, garden setting. Good for anyone who wants a break from rice and beans.
Villas del Caribe Restaurant (near Playa Chiquita) — Open for lunch and dinner, with poke, curries, and burgers in a relaxed beachside setting.
The Pacuare River is one of the premier white water rafting destinations in Central America — a full-day trip through Class II–IV rapids in a dramatic jungle canyon with waterfalls, wildlife, and exceptional scenery. Most operators offer pickup from the Puerto Viejo area. It's a long day (10–12 hours), but consistently rated as one of the best single-day adventures in Costa Rica.
The small village of Cahuita, about 20 minutes north, has a relaxed local feel that's even quieter than Puerto Viejo. Worth a visit for the national park alone, but also for a slower afternoon — a cold drink, a walk through the village, and a look at the ocean from a different stretch of coast.
Bike — the best way to experience the coast between Playa Chiquita and Manzanillo. Rentals are available nearby and at most hotels in Puerto Viejo, typically $6–10/day.
Bus — the Puerto Viejo–Manzanillo bus runs along the coastal road several times daily and stops at Playa Chiquita. Cheap and reliable for accessing town.
Car — useful for day trips to Cahuita National Park, the Bri-Bri region, or Pacuare rafting. No 4x4 required for any of the standard routes.
Taxi — available in Puerto Viejo for shorter trips when you don't want to bike.
Jungle Tide Villas — Villa Duna and Villa Habanera — are located in Playa Chiquita, steps from the beach and minutes from everything in this guide. Book your stay at jungletidevillas.com.
