A long black volcanic sand beach right at the edge of Puerto Viejo town.
Blue Flag beach
Playa Negra is a black sand beach running northwest from the edge of Puerto Viejo town toward Cahuita, formed from dark volcanic sediment rather than coral sand. It is a walking and relaxing beach rather than a swimming destination, with moderate surf and no offshore reef protection. Two sections near the Puerto Viejo end held Bandera Azul Ecológica awards in 2025. This is a different beach from the black sand Playa Negra near Cahuita town, further up the coast.
From central Puerto Viejo, head northwest along the coastal road toward Cahuita; the black sand beach begins just past the edge of town.
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Puerto Viejo
Chocolate experience operator in Puerto Viejo offering hands-on bean-to-bar classes, a cacao farm tour, and pairing sessions with wine, rum, or mezcal. It also runs a small restaurant serving Caribbean food and handmade chocolate. Bookings are handled by WhatsApp and an online system.
Puerto Viejo
Caribbean Surf School & Shop teaches private and group surf lessons in Puerto Viejo, with its surf shop located near Salsa Brava, the Caribbean's heaviest wave, and also runs stand-up paddleboard sessions and a waterfall tour. The school holds a 4.9-star rating across more than 170 TripAdvisor reviews and ranks among the top-rated water sports operators in town.
Puerto Viejo
Caribe Fishing Tours is run by Captain Alan, a Puerto Viejo local who leads offshore and inshore fishing charters departing from Punta Uva beach. The operation also runs river fishing trips up the Sixaola River and can combine a fishing day with snorkeling or dolphin watching on request.