Caribbean Coast Travel Guide

Guidebooks

Photo: Costa Rica Tourist Board (ICT)

The tourist brochures tout the country's Caribbean coast as "the other Costa Rica." Everything about this part of Costa Rica seems different: different culture, different history, different climate, and different activities. This region was long ago discovered by European adventure seekers—you're quite likely to hear Dutch and German spoken by the visitors here—but is much less known in North American circles.

Hotels

Caribbean Coast Hotels

The high-rise, glitzy resorts of the Pacific coast are nowhere to be found in the Caribbean. The norm here is small, independent lodgings, usually family...read more

Fodor's Choice

Restaurants

Caribbean Coast Restaurants

The many open-air dining spots out here provide you with that ultimate tropical dining experience, with Puerto Viejo de Talamanca offering one of Costa...read more

Fodor's Choice

Things To Do

Things To Do in Caribbean Coast

Explore the best sights, entertainment, and shopping with our top choices and insider tips.

Travel Deals in Caribbean Coast

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Hotels

Caribbean Coast Experiences

  • Top Reasons to Go to the Caribbean Coast

    Dolphin-watching: Bottlenose, tucuxi, and Atlantic spotted dolphins ply the southern Caribbean coast.... Read more

  • Tortuguero National Park

    At various times of the year, four species of sea turtles—green, hawksbill, loggerhead, and giant leatherback—lumber up the 35 km... Read more

  • Cahuita National Park

    In a land known for its dark-sand beaches, the coral-based white sand of Cahuita National Park (Parque Nacional Cahuita) is a real standout... Read more

  • Eco-Lodges in the Caribbean

    Year-round rainfall begets year-round greenery on the Caribbean coast. You can count on lushness here when the rest of Costa Rica's landscape... Read more

  • Rain Forest Adventures

    Just 15 km (9 miles) beyond the northeastern boundary of Braulio Carrillo, a 1,200-acre reserve houses a privately owned and operated engineering... Read more

  • The Nicas

    Immigration issues generate intense debate in the United States and Western Europe. Who would guess that it has become a contentious matter here... Read more

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  • Lovin' Costa Rica with Kids

    Hello to All!

    Well, first a big thank you to all who take the time to answer questions, give advice, and post your own trip reports. Know that your efforts have helped shape this fantastic trip that follows… Read more

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