Beaches of Puerto Viejo & Cahuita
Every named beach along the Puerto Viejo & Cahuita coast, on one map. Tap a beach for how to get there, what it is good for, and Blue Flag status.
On the map
Beaches visited
Tick off each beach as you go. Your progress is saved on this device.
Playa Cocles Blue Flag
The area's main surf beach, with a lifeguard tower at the main entrance during peak season.
- Surfing
- Sunsets
- Walking
Playa Chiquita
Rock-sheltered pockets of calm, shallow water that are gentler than the surf beaches nearby.
- Swimming
- Walking
- Sunsets
Punta Uva Blue Flag
A jungle headland splitting two calm bays, with a short trail up to a lookout point.
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Sunsets
Playa Manzanillo Blue Flag Turtle nesting
The gateway beach into the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, with an offshore reef just out from shore.
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Boat launch
Playa Grande Blue Flag
A quiet, forest-backed stretch between Punta Uva and Manzanillo with little development.
- Walking
- Wildlife
- Sunsets
Salsa Brava
One of the heaviest, most consistent reef breaks in Costa Rica, right off the town waterfront.
- Surfing
Playa Negra Blue Flag
A long black volcanic sand beach right at the edge of Puerto Viejo town.
- Walking
- Sunsets
Playa Negra Blue Flag
Cahuita's own black sand beach, quieter than the beaches inside the national park.
- Walking
- Sunsets
Playa Blanca Blue Flag
White sand and a coral reef inside the national park, reachable by a rainforest coastal trail.
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Wildlife
Puerto Vargas Blue Flag Turtle nesting
The quieter southern entrance to Cahuita National Park, with camping and a ranger station.
- Swimming
- Snorkeling
- Camping