Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí & Around

Introducing Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí & Around

At the scenic confluence of Río Puerto Viejo and Río Sarapiquí, Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí was once the most important port in Costa Rica. Boats laden with bananas, coffee and other commercial exports plied the Sarapiquí as far as the Nicaraguan border, then turned east on the Río San Juan to the sea. Today, Puerto Viejo (the full name distinguishes it from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca on the Caribbean coast) is simply a jungle border town – slightly seedy in a film-noir sort of way. There are, however, numerous opportunities in the surrounding area for birding, rafting, boating and jungle exploration.

Migraciónes is near the small wooden dock, sometimes avoided by visiting Nicaraguans who share the river with local fishers and visiting birders. Adventure seekers can still travel down the Sarapiquí in motorized dugout canoes.

There is no dry season, but late January to early May is the ‘less wet’ season. On the upside, when it rains there are fewer mosquitoes.

Banco Popular has an ATM and changes money. Internet Sarapiquí (766 6223; per hr US$2; 8am-10pm) is at the west end of town. Souvenir Río Sarapiquí (766 6727), on the main street, has tour information on birding, kayaking, white-water rafting and zip lining.

Last updated: May 19, 2009