The Caribbean Lowlands Travel Guide

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The Caribbean Lowlands
Typical Costa Rican girl © CANTUR
The Caribbean has a cultural diversity that is different from the rest of the country. With its beautiful beaches, great surfing conditions and pristine national parks it is becoming one of the top attractions for the adventurous traveller. It is less developed than the Pacific side with fewer roads and smaller settlements and about half the area is set apart and protected in parks and wildlife refuges.

The capital of the region is the seedy port of Limon, which is generally avoided by tourists and used only as a transport hub, but is regaining popularity as a cruise port. Cahuita is a relaxed village neighbouring the Cahuita National Park, the Creole culture particularly evident in the food and music. Further south is the even more tranquil hamlet of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca popular for its surfing and splendid coastline. In the north the coastal National Park of Tortuguero is one of the most important breeding and nesting sites of the green sea turtle.

The villages are laid back with an unhurried atmosphere common throughout the region. The majority of the people are extremely friendly, live close to the coast and speak a lively form of English. The people of the Caribbean delight in showing visitors the natural beauty of the area and are eager to share their culture with anyone willing to 'hang out' for a while. There is plenty to see and do, but things are relaxed so take time to experience this rewarding side of Costa Rica.




Attractions

Cahuita beach © Wha\'ppen

Cahuita National Park

The only coral reef on the Costa Rican Caribbean coastline is found within this national park, and with 500 species of fish it affords excellent opportunities for snorkelling. While the land area of Cahuita National Park is small, it has stunning beaches and is...  see full details



Port Viejo © baxterclaus

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, simply known as Puerto Viejo, is a dusty little village lying between the forested mountains of Talamanca and the sea and features excellent surfing, an interesting mix of Afro-Caribbean and Bribri indigenous cultures, and delicious local food. The seven miles...  see full details



Tortuguero souvenir © stevendepolo

Tortuguero National Park

Despite its isolation on the northern part of the Caribbean coast, Tortuguero National Park is an extremely popular destination and one of the most important nesting sites of the green sea turtle, which lays its eggs here between July and October. Three other turtle...  see full details


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