Discover Puerto Viejo by Bicycle
Regardless of how you get to Puerto Viejo, the best way to set out and explore the coast of the southern Caribbean zone of Costa Rica is definitely by bicycle.
Renting a beach cruiser and getting in touch with your inner child is definitely a highlight of the Puerto Viejo way of life. Many locals and tourists alike use bikes to get around town, passing by cars stuck in traffic on roads that are often too narrow for two cars at the same time.
From Puerto Viejo down the 13-kilometer paved road to Manzanillo, with smaller beach towns and gorgeous beaches in between, cruising around on a bike is a fun and unique way to explore what this corner of Costa Rica has to offer.
Why Rent a Bike in Puerto Viejo
It depends on where you’re from, as well as where you’ve been, but relative to much of the world, Costa Rica tends to move at a slightly slower pace. The Caribbean is the essence of this laid-back approach to daily life, and for some – especially city-dwellers – it’s a challenging adjustment. Enter the beach cruiser.
With a single gear and a modest maximum velocity – even downhill – the beach cruiser is fine-tuned to the speed at which things ought to move. It doesn’t matter how many leg days you’ve done, or how infinite your cardio, this bicycle decides how fast you go – you only choose where you go.
Life can move slowly in Puerto Viejo and the surrounding areas, so slowing down is one way to fit in. It takes a while to get the food you order in a restaurant, coffee has to be made to be served, cars stop in the road to chat with a neighbor, and locals seldom seem in a hurry. Renting a bike is the perfect way to get on this wavelength.
Spotting Wildlife by Bicycle
The road from Puerto Viejo to Manzanillo cuts through the jungle, with tall trees and dense foliage on either side, especially between the small communities of Cocles, Playa Chiquita, and Punta Uva. It’s not uncommon to spot wildlife like Howler monkeys, Capuchin monkeys, Green Macaws, or even sloths from the comfort of your bike seat. Certain sites you might miss from inside a car are more easily seen from the freedom of the bike. And since you travel a bit slower, it’s easier to notice what or why the branches above might be moving or swaying.
The southern coast of Costa Rica is teeming with wildlife, and it’s not hard to spot many animals, especially when you’re moving at a slower space and have the ability to stop easily along the side of the road to watch the monkeys swing in the trees.
Best Beaches to Access by Bike
Another advantage of biking around Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and the other beach communities is that you have access to the main road as well as smaller dirt roads and some hidden beach paths.
Access to Playa Chiquita is only via small senderos or paths. You’ll see many cars parked along the road where people then walk down the paths. You can take your bike with you on the path!
*The trailhead is small but your bicycle will fit. Do not give up. As soon as the handlebars are through, you’ve made it!
While visiting Punta Uva and Arrecife beaches, there is only one road in and out, and the traffic can get very bad with limited parking. Thanks to being on a bike, it’s easy to get in and out without the stress of traffic. There’s also a beach path that runs from Puerto Viejo to Cocles, and while most people don’t ride their bikes on the path, it’s much easier to cut in and out from the beach to the road when you aren’t having to constantly look for a parking place.
The Best Way to Explore
Puerto Viejo has many bike rental shops, and renting a bike is easy and cheap, at around $7 for 24 hours. Many hotels, hostels, and even some vacation rentals come with bikes you can rent or borrow during your stay. It’s a great way to explore the other beaches and towns of the Puerto Viejo area, such as Playa Negra, just to the north of town, or Playa Cocles, just a few kilometers south of town. When you rent a bike, you have the chance to explore little cafes and restaurants, roadside food stands, and hidden pathways. It’s the perfect way to get to know the area and all that it has to offer.
Renting a Bike is Good for Your Health
Let’s face it, vacation can be decadent. Rich food, beachside cocktails, cold beers, and special treats. And while there might be a hike or an excursion mixed in with beach and pool time, it’s hard to on top of our health when we’re traveling. Renting a bike in Puerto Viejo helps you stay healthy while you explore and enjoy.
Be mindful, though, drinking and biking don’t mix well, and with the cars, motos, tuk tuks, and other bikes, it’s best to stay to the right and always bike single file. Hardly anyone wears a helmet while biking in Puerto Viejo, so best to keep your wits about you on two wheels!
PRO-TIP: For the sake of your own safety and the flow of traffic please ride in SINGLE file. Bicyclists/pedestrians are not guaranteed the right of way.
With our string of unique, picturesque towns, each with its own vibe and style, seamlessly held together by the warm embrace of the continuous dense jungles that crawl the length of the tropical coastline, renting a bike might just be the best way to see Puerto Viejo. Contact us at RISE today to book your dream Puerto Viejo vacation, and we’ll happily line up your rental bike as well. What better treat than to check into your rental and hop straight onto your bike!
