-Hotels & Tours by Zone-
SOUTH CARIBBEAN
(CAHUITA, PUERTO VIEJO & MANZANILLO)
Hotels | Tours
Moving
down the coast from the Caribbean port city of Limón takes you into
one of the most important culturally distinctive parts of Costa Rica. Remnant
populations of native Americans, from the Bribrí and Cabecar tribes,
and Afro-Americans that came to Costa Rica via Jamaica a century ago to work
the railroads and banana plantations, live in the lower foothills of the Talamanca
Mountains and along the narrow coastal strip in small settlements and villages
that still maintain a slow-paced existence.
The prettiest beaches of the country's east coast are located here as are
several famous surfing spots.
Cahuita National Park protects 2,500 acres, much of which consists of an
underwater area of coral reefs and sea grasses. More reefs are found a bit
further down the coast and these are included in the 25,000-acre Gandoca-Manzanillo
National Wildlife Refuge. The terrestrial flora and fauna is similar in both
reserves, and has many species in common with the previous region, both being
located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.
Situated 14 miles inland from the coast and covering nearly 25,000 acres
of rain forest is the Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve. It is a bit of a challenge
to get there (having to find your way through a maze of banana plantations
and then up a narrow dirt road), but taking the path less traveled can often
have its rewards".
Excerpts from "Take a Generous Helping of Greenery" from the
Costa Rican Tourist Board.
Limón and Puerto Viejo
"The port city of Limón is Caribbean flavor all the way. Capital
of the Afro-Caribbean culture in Costa Rica, Limón possesses dialects
based on English that have survived thanks to the natural barriers between
the Central Valley and the Caribbean coast. Every October the city dresses
up to celebrate its annual Carnival, which transforms the streets into rivers
of colors, drumbeats and dance for an entire week. When in this town, enjoy
a stroll through Central Park and watch the sloth in the trees and visit beautiful
crescent beaches north of the city…If a stop in Limón produces
a little culture shock, it's a good equalizer for the journey ahead. Following
the coastal road south of Limón quickly leads to the laid-back tropics
envisioned in dreams. The pace is not hurried here, nor should it be. There
can be no rush to get through this area to…where? This way will take
us to the end of the road, and perhaps the beginning of life.
The Talamanca Coast, southward from Cahuita, is the least known but richest
part of this mystical region. Although the Atlantic narrow-gauge railroad
was opened in the 1890´s to Limón, a highway didn't but through
Braulio Carrillo National Park to connect that area to the Central Valley
until 1970. But it wasn't until 1976, when a bridge finally spanned the Estrella
River, that a road connected the villages of Talamanca to the rest of the
country.
If Limón is the gateway to the Caribbean, Cahuita is the threshold
of the Talamanca Coast. Without electricity until 1976, it is the original
laid-back Caribbean village. The coral reefs of Cahuita National Park are
known by many, as is the extraordinary surfing available at several points
along this silver coast. All manner of water activities including snorkeling
and scuba diving the reefs of Cahuita and Manzanillo are prime options. Known
for its marine wealth, Cahuita's reefs also hold one of the greatest varieties
of live coral along its white-sand seashore.
Half an hour south of Cahuita is Puerto Viejo, where everyone goes to party…Caribbean
style of course. This lazy village, a center of community life since the earliest
years of this century, was electrified in 1987 and had only three phone lines
until October 1996. Puerto Viejo has become well known by surfers for its
fine waves. Long boarders come from all corners of the globe to challenge
the surf at Salsa Brava, literally "Angry Sauce". At night the disco
at Stanford's keeps things lively with plenty of reggae and other Caribbean
beats".
Excerpts from "The Magic Wonders of The Caribbean" by Michael
L. Smith and Jim Rodríguez.
SOUTH CARIBBEAN HOTELS:
HONEYMOON &
