Questions about a Caribean coast trip in May

Is Tortuguero really worth it?

Heck yeah, that is if you like raw nature and wildlife. There is a lot you can do without a guide, kayak, hike and cruise the wild beach. It's a killer place.
Recommend starting off in Tortuguero and work your way south.

For the onward ticket crap for Panama http://flyonward.com/ has been used with success, 10 bucks. Hear there is a travel place in PV that will do the same. Also recently read that the border officials now juts want to see a return ticket out of any country. The Sixaola border is usually very relaxed, quick and easy.

Can always fly back to SJ from Bocas.

Highly recommend rafting the Pacuare River, beautiful pristine jungle/canyon river and a lot of fun. Easy to set up in Cahuita or PV, at the end of the trip they will drop you off in SJ or Alajuela as part of the trip. Alajuela is a nice small town 10mins. from the airport.

Can't help with the surfing questions, can't be very expensive.

Good cheap fun day trip, rent a bike and ride down to Manzanillo and check everything out.

1- To visit the Bribri and indigenous indians, you must have a guide, they don't take kindly to foreign tourist walking into their villages unescorted. It is best to arrange this in Bribri, via road from Hone Creek. Please respect their right to privacy and trying to live apart from the culture around them, last they need is tourist strangers thinking they can just walk right into their lands...

2- This coast for surf is very limited. No Pt Viejo is not where you surf as a beginner, it would Playa Cochles, down the road. Depends on month, winds and tides, can be very flat on caribe side. The other area is 20 minute walk up the beach, from the town of Manzanillo. The Pacific side is endless options for surf lessons. Tamarindo area is best for a beginner.

www.crsurf.com

http://www.puertoviejosatellite.com

3-Getting to Panama is easiest via shuttle that operates between PV and Bocas, and gets you to the water taxi. Otherwise, you would bus to border at Sixoala, cross and bus onward, be sure to get early start, and you lose an hour going into Panama...

http://geckotrail.com/tours/bocas-del-toro-panama-one-day-tour/

Why not Tortuguero area at least 2-3 nights? This is a gorgeous area and lots of nature, and detached from mainland life, you get there via boat.

http://www.tortuguerovillage.com

Agree, raft the Rio Pacaure, one the best rivers to raft in Americas, through indigenous lands and also a gorgeous jungle valley with waterfalls and nature in all directions. Get dropped in SJ area hotels.

https://www.exploradoresoutdoors.com/pacuare-rafting.html

The buses to Tortuguero, are a different bus station than to PV and Sixoala. But, both are close to RT 32 end in SJ, downtown, on NE side, and Alajuela is on 40 minutes and on the NW side...

I stay near Dunn Inn, Hemingways House and the Barrio Amon area. Main avinda central area, market, casinos and cafes.

I thank you both for your kind and complete answers.

I'm definetly considering Tortuguero (in fact, it is pretty much on my wish list).

@mrmoto
"1- To visit the Bribri and indigenous indians, you must have a guide, they don't take kindly to foreign tourist walking into their villages unescorted. It is best to arrange this in Bribri, via road from Hone Creek. Please respect their right to privacy and trying to live apart from the culture around them, last they need is tourist strangers thinking they can just walk right into their lands..."

Let me just reassure you, in no way I would disturb the peaceful living of native people. I respect their way of living and it would be a honor to just meet them. I've lived near a native community in Canada and befriended with a lot of them as they were quite open to introduce me to their culture. If taking a guide is the only way to meet up with the Bribri, it's fine by me. I was only wondering if there was another way. As I said in my first post, I'm trying to stay away from mainstream stuff to get a real vibe about Costa Rica. Thank you for the heads up.

As for surfing, I'm trying to enjoy my trip by doing less road and I'm not sure yet if I will go on the west coast. That's why I asked about Puerto Viejo. Thanks for the site web.

As for Pacuare rafting, I'm intrigued by the suggestion and will consider it once I get there!

Have a nice day !

Hello Mig,
I have been to the Caribbean Coast three times and I would recommend it. If you include Tortuguero, Bribri and a trip to Bocas, you would find plenty to fill your three weeks quite nicely.

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