Punta Uva Puerto Viejo Visitor's Guide

 Punta Uva is a popular destination for tourists, despite Puerto Viejo de Talamanca being the larger city in the southern Caribbean region of Costa Rica. The lovely beaches, peaceful atmosphere, abundant wildlife, and breathtaking vantage points are what bring visitors to this tiny town. It's only around 5 miles (8 kilometers) from Puerto Viejo, so it's convenient for those who want to leave the city but still have some distance from the hustle and bustle.

Everything you need to know about visiting Punta Uva may be found in this guide.

How to get to Punta Uva 

The beach at Punta Uva is only 8.5 kilometers from Puerto Viejo's central business district, so getting there is a breeze by bike, car, or bus. It's a long way to walk (around 5 miles), but the bus makes getting there and back simple.

Every day at 6:45, 7:45, 9:45, 11:45, 13:45, 16:45, 18:45, and 19:45, buses leave Puerto Viejo for Manzanillo, where you may get a ride to Punta Uva. Extra services are held on Sundays at 12:45, 15:45, and 17:45. Make your way to Punta Uva.

At 12 p.m. from Terminal Atlantico Norte Calle 12, Ave 7-9, you can get a bus from San Jose to Manzanillo; the stop for Punta Uva is at the end of the line. One can also take a bus to Puerto Viejo (daily at 6:00, 10:00, 14:00, and 16:00) and then transfer to another bus or taxi to reach Manzanillo.

Beaches

The beaches of Playa Punta Uva and Playa Punta Uva Arrecife are two of the most stunning in Costa Rica, with their palm tree-lined shores, clear turquoise sea, and powdery tan sand. There's a wonderful tiny viewpoint and walk between the two beaches.

There are a couple of beach access points.

The beach is accessible from the road beside Selvin's Restaurante or through the Punta Uva Adventures gate. Sloth Point, the one near the adventurers' entrance, is a favorite among visitors because of the abundance of sloths in the region. Locals offer services such as renting kayaks and snorkeling equipment, selling pipa frias (cool coconut water), and selling small souvenirs. You may reach the viewing area by strolling down the beach (to the right).

The entire hike won't take you more than ten minutes at the most. If you climb up and keep to the left, then descend and circle back around, you will be treated to a breathtaking panorama of Arrecife.

Playa Arrecife was our favorite beach in the Puerto Viejo area, and we really enjoyed our time there. After setting up a couple of hammocks and spending two days relaxing in the refreshing Caribbean breeze, we left.

Take note that the parking lot is quite small (it's the end of a street) and extremely congested on the weekends if you plan to drive there. Because there was no parking at Playa Punta Uva, we ended up driving to Arrecife twice.

What to do in Punta Uva

We urge that you take use of Punta Uva for more than just a beach vacation.

Snorkeling

Punta Uva offers excellent snorkeling; there's a great area close to the lookout where you can swim right up to the coral reef. The waves here are not exactly gentle, so be sure to monitor the weather. We don't think it's appropriate for kids. We've been to Punta Uva in September, November, and December, and every single time it was quite windy with choppy surf.

Kayaking

Even though I warned you about the wind, this is a great spot for kayaking because you can paddle to the other beach around the bend.

We saw a kayaking pair who had to start over four times because of the seas

It was really windy that day, and I was shocked that the locals rented kayaks to them, so I'd advise anyone considering going to be cautious and check the weather forecast first. It's not a good place for novice kayakers to learn the sport.

Punta Uva also has a river that is perfect for kayaking. The river is pleasant, quiet, and full of interesting fauna.

To avoid disturbing the wildlife, kayaking is the greatest method to see the wildlife, including turtles, sloths, toucans, monkeys, and other birds.

Scuba diving

Scuba divers and others interested in learning the sport can take advantage of Punta Uva Dive Center's convenient location in the heart of town. The fact that they have night dives available is icing on the cake.

Sub

Stand-up paddle boarding is another option, but you should still assess the weather before heading out on the water.

The beach is the most popular destination, although there are plenty of other things to see and do in the Puerto Viejo area, such as the Gandoca Manzaillo wildlife sanctuary (part of which is located near Punta Uva).

Sightseeing walk

When we first came to Punta Uva, we took a tour that took us all around the landmark. The tour provided a wonderful introduction to the area and its beach. Our tour leader showed us many sloths and educated us on local flora and fauna.

Punta Uva weather

The Caribbean region's climate deviates from the normal wet and dry tropical seasons. Temperatures average around mid-80s F (29 C) during the day and low-to-mid 70s F (21 C) during the night in this region, and rain is a constant possibility throughout the year. February, March, September, and October are the driest months on average. When the rest of Costa Rica is experiencing winter, they are enjoying summer in September and October.

Bring clothes that dry quickly and wick perspiration away to ensure you stay comfortable on the beach and in the humidity. It is recommended to bring a swimsuit, bug spray, sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses.

Punta Uva hotels

Punta Uva is home to several modest lodging options, including motels and cabins. You may anticipate clean, simple accommodations at most hotels in Puerto Viejo because almost none of them have air conditioning. Punta Uva is a great place to stay if you don't want to be in the middle of town, where there is more noise and traffic and where you won't feel as like you're in the forest.

 Korrigan lodge

There are four luxurious bungalows at this hotel, all located on the beach. Hammocks are available on the private patios of each unit. Pricing is moderate to high.

Pachamama Jungle River Lodge

There are a handful of villas and bungalows within the resort, perfect for families or small parties of up to six people. It is situated on the banks of the Rio Ernesto, only a few hundred meters from the nearest beach.

Tree House Lodge

Punta Uva's five five-star eco-lodges are spread out over a 10-acre plot, right on the shore. Furthermore, Playa Chiquita is not far away. The Garden House, for instance, is almost entirely crafted from bamboo, making it stand out from the other homes.

Punta Uva restaurants

While Punta Uva does have its share of dining options, the majority of these may be found in Puerto Viejo and the roughly 30-kilometer (18-mile) region between the two cities and Manzanillo.

Restaurante Selvin's serves authentic Costa Rican cuisine with flavors from the Caribbean. The whole red snapper I ordered, along with the accompanying rice and beans, was cooked to perfection.

Other great options are Pita Bonita and El Refugio Grill. We recommend the guacamole and chips at El Refugio and the hummus at Pita Bonita. To further refresh yourself on the beach, we suggest picking yourself a few refreshing coconut waters.