The South Caribbean is the region that extends from the city of Limón to the Sixaola River, in the region bordering Panama. It is characterized by the exotic beauty of its beaches and for its Afro-Caribbean and Rasta cultures.
One of its natural distinctions is the tropical rain forest, which benefits from permanent humidity and a hot climate. These characteristics are most notable in places such as Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Gandoca where, in addition, a unique combination of beach, tropical forest and Afro-Caribbean culture come together.
Activities:
Due to the variety of its natural wealth and its interesting mix of cultures, the South Caribbean allows tourists to engage in activities among which boat excursions, surfing, walks on trails and beaches, turtle watching, dolphins, birds, horseback rides, kayaking in the ocean as well as in rivers, diving, hiking, canopy tours and other activities stand out.
Protected areas:
Cahuita national park
In 1970 this area received the title of National Monument; eight years later it was declared a national park. It protects 1067 hectares of land, 600 hectares of coral reef and 22,400 hectares of sea.
It is located 42 kilometers (26 miles) to the south of the city of Puerto Limón.
Cahuita National Park is renowned for its coral reef and for its tropical humid forest. Located adjacent is the village of Puerto Vargas; and in both locations truly heavenly beaches are found, as well as small bays, coconut palms, virgin jungle, and other natural attractions.
As well as being surrounded by great natural beauty, the beaches of Cahuita and Puerto Vargas have one of the most important coral reefs of the Costa Rican Caribbean Coast, as outstanding as those located in Punta Cocles, Punta Uva, Manzanillo and Punta Mora. These places are ideal for admiring coral (such as brain, elkhorn and
deer, fire, rose, lettuce, among the 35 different species of coral that have been identified), mollusks, sea fans, crustaceans, turtles, multicolor fish, and more.
For the complete enjoyment of all of this, the town of Cahuita, along with the park, offer many lodging facilities as well as restaurants. Likewise, it boasts services such as information, drinking water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, trails, campsites.Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanillo Reserve are regions known worldwide, not only for their abundant natural attractions, but also for being virtually unique, as far as conservation is concerned, in the Greater Caribbean region.
Gandoca-manzanillo wildlife refuge
This refuge has an area of 9449 hectares (4436 sea and 5013 land). It is located in Talamanca, within the costal limits of the Cocles River estuary, close to Puerto Viejo, and the Sixaola River estuary, on the border with Panama. Within its territory are forested alluvial plain areas as well as hills which abound in species like Cativos, Caobillas, Yolillos, Mangles and Almendros de montañas. As far as the location's fauna is concerned monkeys, crocodiles, collared pecaries and pacas stand out.Given its abundant vegetation, there is also a great variety of birds: parrots, falcons, currés and others.
In the coastal region, the beaches are characterized as being of great beauty and very suitable for walking, sun bathing, swimming, diving in the reefs and observing the flora and fauna.
This refuge was even the inspiring scene of an important literary work, the novel titled "La Loca de Gandoca", by Ana Cristina Rossi. It has trails, scenic overlooks, drinking water, restrooms, and more, located throughout its corridor, in populations like Manzanillo, where the administrative area is located. In the Gandoca sector the leatherback turtle is protected; and during a boat tour you can visit the Gandoca estuary surrounded by abundant tropical vegetation that is also the habitat of the manatee.
Hitoy cerere biological reserve
This reserve, created in 1978, has around 9949 hectares and is surrounded by three indigenous reserves: Telire, Tayni and Talamanca. It forms part of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve.
Hitoy Cerere, whose indigenous names mean "river of moss covered stones" and "clear-watered river", respectively, are located in the basins of the Estrella and Telire rivers. It is a reserve that includes different altitudinal levels that range from 100 up to 1025 meters above sea level. It offers forests belonging principally to tropical humid and rain. Among the most representative species of its flora are: palms, espaveles, ojoches, guayabones of great size and much more. In terms of fauna, there are amphibians, frogs, reptiles, raccoons, white faced monkeys, tapirs, collared peccaries, ocelots and around 230 species of birds. There are rivers and streams, where you can enjoy a refreshing swim; in one
of them there is a beautiful waterfall that can be visited, walking along a natural trail alongside the river.
To enter this reserve travel to Valle de la Estrella; and the administrative area is located five kilometers after Finca Cartagena. It has parking, drinking water, restrooms, information, trails, scenic viewpoints and areas for swimmers.
Communities:
Puerto Viejo
It has to do with a village located to the south of Cahuita, very similar in terms of the beauty of its beaches. However, it is an even more wooded region. Next to Puerto Viejo are the Shiroles and Bri Bri indigenous reserves.
However, some of its beaches are not suitable for swimming since they are basically composed of coral platforms.
The town of Puerto Viejo has a wide variety of lodging facilities: from Bed & Breakfasts to hotels with a pool and more than 50 rooms. In addition, there are many companies that are devoted to organizing tours. In terms of culture, its origins are Afro-Caribbean; the predominance of the black population is highlighted in this region, a population that has its own English dialect, patois.
Cahuita
This is a community rich in a mixture of cultures, which for example, makes it an appropriate place to enjoy a varied gastronomy of local and international fare. Visitors can also find a series of services here; among them, the arrangement of sightseeing trips to neighboring areas.
Rural community tourism:
Given that this is a region abundant in flora and fauna and of great cultural wealth, rural tourism, in hostels, is another one of the options visitors can choose. For example, the following hostels are run using this mode of operation:
The ecotourism hostel Buena Vista, located 9Km. (a little more than 6 miles) to the north of Bribri, Talamanca, one kilometer to the south of the Mastatal community.
Activities: organization of trips through the forest and to the waterfall, riding tame buffalos, observing flora and fauna, local and migratory birds, visits to indigenous territories and horseback rides. The Carbón Dos Hostel, located 5Km. (3 miles) after Cahuita; 1 Km. before the entrance to Puerto Vargas. Take the road to the right and the community of Carbón Dos is 3 Km. ahead.
Activities: walks or horseback riding in the forest with scenic viewpoints for bird watching, visits to waterfalls and rivers, visits to farms to learn about the production systems.
The Casacode Hostel, located in Los Ángeles de San Miguel de Sixaola.
Activities: walks on trails in the forest, with talks about its sustainable management, information about water buffalo, cultivation of home-made vegetable gardens.
The Finca Educativa Hostel, located in Shiroles, an indigenous reserve of Talamanca.
Activities: visit to indigenous communities such as Amubri, Yorkín, Cachabri, visits to waterfalls situated in the area around the farm.
Indigenous reserves:
Another one of the attractions of the South Caribbean is the possibility tourists have to visit and have contact with some indigenous reserves, in the Talamanca region. Talamanca was one of the few regions which, during the colonial period, managed to escape the control of the Spanish.
Keköldi reserve:
The Bri Bris are found on this reserve, where tourists can enjoy, in addition to the cultural
aspect, some attractions such as the green iguana farm (Green Iguana Conservation Farm), in the Patiño community. The indigenous people also sell traditional handicrafts such as hammocks, bows, arrows, bags.
Another appealing characteristic typical to this region are the paths that allow for a rich and varied observation of the flora and fauna. One of the most striking aspects happens between the months of January and February, October and November, when the birds of prey migrate north or south, depending on the season. In total, there are 17 species of birds of prey that have been observed; among them: eagles, hawks and falcons, in sightings of thousands of birds per day. A spectacular phenomenon!.
The Cocles river waterfall, another one of its attractions, can be reached with the help of local guides.
Yorkin:
The river of this name is the one that gives its name to the indigenous community of Yorkin. It is only possible to reach it by going up the river, which has its source on the Panamanian side of La Amistad International Park.
In addition to appreciating the nature that surrounds both banks of the Yorkín river, it is possible to share with the members of this community who work in the cocoa and banana business.
They also produce some handicrafts that tourists can purchase.
From the Yorkin village you may visit other sites such as thermal waters, waterfalls and the Buena Vista hills.
There you will leave means of transportation behind and begin a walk through the interior of a virgin jungle. Then you will arrive at a waterfall where you can rest and enjoy the natural jacuzzis.
Later you will continue on to the Uatsi indigenous reserve where you can see their handicrafts and enjoy chicha (a typical drink). On the return trip you will go through the iguana farm in the Patiño community.
Other points of attraction:
Puerto Vargas:
Renowned as one of the most beautiful beaches in the region, it also forms part of the Cahuita National Park. In fact, it is the point of entry to the southern zone of this protected area. It continues on for several kilometers, from Punta Vargas to the mouth of the Carbón river. One of its principal attractions is the abundant vegetation.
In the first stretch, its waters are so crystalline that it is possible to go on boat excursions for coral reef observation boat excursions.
The second section has darker sands and mild to moderate waves. It continues on from Puerto Vargas to the entrance of the beach. The third section is from this last point to the mouth of the Carbón River and is an open coast with strong waves. This beach is clean and safe.
Black beach:
Its dark sand, the product of a high manganese content, gives its name to this beach that extends from the village of Puerto Viejo to its entrance in the northern section.
In general, its waves, from moderate to strong, make it an ideal site to rest, go for a swim or explore it on foot, by horseback or on a mountain bike.
White beach (cahuita):
This beach forms part of Cahuita National Park and gets its name from the color of its sand. It extends for some three kilometers (1.8 miles), from its entrance until Cahuita Point.
It is not a very spacious beach. In its first section it has earring and strong waves, for which this sector is not recommended for swimming. The middle section, before arriving to the Suárez River estuary, is ideal for swimming.
After crossing the estuary, the presence in the external part of the coral reef completely transforms the coast into an immense lagoon. At the point, the sands are clearer and the
reef is close by; so you can dive in these waters, or you can continue on two more kilometers to Puerto Vargas.
Mona beach:
This beach has the enormous appeal that to arrive there you have to set off on a walk around five kilometers long (about 3 miles), between Manzanillo and Punta Mona.
The coast that makes up this sector is very irregular. Owing to the characteristics of the forest, always green, as well as the rest of the surrounding scenery, this coast is of exceptional scenic beauty, especially the immediate surroundings of Punta Mona, where the presence of a small island, totally covered in vegetation, gives greater value to the coastal landscape, that is complimented by patches of coral, ideal for diving.
Vizcaya beach
This beach is located on the road to Cahuita. It is extensive, open ocean and has grayish sand. It boasts abundant costal vegetation, in which the abundance of coconut palms stands out. It is very popular among people from Limón and national tourists, who visit with family or friends to enjoy the beach and the Vizcaya River estuary, both very suitable for swimming.
Manzanillo beach:
From the town of Manzanillo, this beach of golden sands, extends some 3500 meters to the north, to Punta Uva. It has moderate to strong waves. Its shape is irregular and curvy. It has a lot of coastal vegetation, which is highlighted by the abundance of palm trees.
Several sectors of this beach are located in front of the town and close to Punta Manzanillo. It is ideal for going on walks or horseback riding, as well as for sunbathing, swimming or diving.
In the community of Mananillo the street that connects to all beaches south of Puerto Viejo ends, a little more than 12 kilometers off. Manzanillo has numerous services: diving equipment rentals, tours for dolphin watching and for diving, etc.
Avarios del caribe
This beautiful place is located one kilometer north of the Estrella River. It has a private reserve of around 100 hectares, in which it is possible to walk and go on a tour, in boat, through the nearby canals, to observe the flora and fauna, particularly the birds.
Observation of various activities:
Throughout the year, the Caribbean celebrates activities of historical, cultural, sporting, civic, and artistic nature, and carry out festivals in order to raise funds for community development. This is a calendar of some of them.
January:
- Observation of north-bound migratory birds, Puerto Viejo - Talamanca. All month.
February:
- Observation of north-bound migratory birds, Puerto Viejo - Talamanca. All month
- Chinese New Year. Limón
April:
- Tropical America Festival. Trópico Húmedo School. Guácimo
May:
June:
- Civic Festivals. Cariari.
August:
- 24. National Park Day
- 31. International Black People's Day. Flowers of the African Diaspora Festival. Limón.
September:
- 14. Lantern Parade
- 15. Costa Rican Independence Day
- Following the patriotic celebrations, EXPOCOCI. Guápiles
- Observation of north-bound migratory birds, Puerto-Viejo-Talamanca. All month.
- 25. Commemoration of the Arrival of Christopher Columbus. Parades in the city of Limón.
October:
- 12. Limón Carnivals
- Observation of north-bound migratory birds, Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.
November:
- Observation of north-bound migratory birds, Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.
December:
- 25. Christmas
- Observation of north-bound migratory birds, Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.
