Digital Nomad in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica: A Complete Guide
Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica was actually one of the first places Jack and I went after becoming digital nomads.
I absolutely loved the lifestyle: surf, work, chill.
Puerto Viejo offers a unique and inspiring environment for digital nomads, with plenty of opportunities to learn, create, and explore.
Keep reading to discover why Puerto Viejo is the best place to be a digital nomad!
Discover more places to digital nomad in Central America.
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Why Puerto Viejo?
The combination of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and close-knit community make Puerto Viejo an ideal destination for those seeking a fulfilling and productive digital nomad experience.
Puerto Viejo has a vibrant Caribbean culture, blending indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and Latin influences. It is known as the most laid-back place in Costa Rica (which is saying something). I don’t know how many times Jack got called out and told to relax, even when we weren’t doing anything.
The lush rainforests and beautiful volcanic beaches around Puerto Viejo provide an inspiring environment for digital nomads to work and create; listen to the sound of the waves or try to spot the exotic wildlife.
Coworking spaces and cafes offer a social atmosphere for digital nomads to find community and connect with like-minded individuals.
Plus Puerto Viejo offers plenty of adventure activities to break up the workday, from surfing and paddleboarding to hiking and zip-lining. These activities provide a chance to recharge and get the creative juices flowing.
I love that Costa Rica values sustainability and eco-friendliness, making it an ideal place for people who prioritize environmentally conscious living. Many businesses in the area are focused on sustainable practices, such as recycling, composting, and reducing plastic waste. Yay Earth!
Digital Nomad’s Guide to Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
Things to Do in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo, located on the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, offers a variety of activities for visitors to enjoy.
Here are some things to do in Puerto Viejo:
Visit the beaches
The area around Puerto Viejo is known for its beautiful beaches, including Playa Cocles, Playa Chiquita, Playa Negra, and Punta Uva. You can relax on the volcanic black sand beaches, play in the waves, and try activities such as surfing or paddleboarding.
Explore the town
Puerto Viejo is a small town with a laid-back vibe and plenty of colorful Caribbean charm. Explore the town’s shops, restaurants, and markets to get a taste of local life. There are also many trails that can be explored on foot or by bike.
Go surfing
What would be a trip to Costa Rica without catching some waves? Puerto Viejo has consistent waves for both beginner and intermediate surfers. And if you’re already advanced, try your hand at the legendary Salsa Brava, considered to be the biggest break in all of Costa Rica.
Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center
This wildlife rescue center is dedicated to rehabilitating and releasing animals back into the wild. Visitors can take a guided tour to see animals such as sloths, monkeys, and toucans up close and learn about conservation efforts in the area.
Take a chocolate tour
The area around Puerto Viejo is known for its cacao plantations, and visitors can take a tour to learn about the chocolate-making process and taste delicious locally-made chocolate.
How to Get to Puerto Viejo
There are several ways to get to Puerto Viejo, depending on where you are coming from, your budget and your preferences. Here are the most common ways to get to Puerto Viejo:
Fly
The nearest international airport to Puerto Viejo is Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose. From there, you can take a domestic flight to Limon, which is about an hour’s drive from Puerto Viejo.
Alternatively, you can take a shared or private shuttle bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, which takes around 4-5 hours.
Caribe Shuttle is my go-to in Costa Rica, book a shuttle from SJO to Puerto Viejo.
Bus
You can also take a bus from San Jose to Puerto Viejo, which takes around 5 hours. The bus leaves from the Gran Terminal Caribe in San Jose and arrives at the Puerto Viejo bus station.
The highway between San Jose and Puerto Viejo is only two lanes (although they are working on expanding it). With all the construction and fruit trucks on the road, the bus can take quite a while. At least the buses themselves are pretty nice, not a like chicken bus.
The bus station in San Jose can be a little chaotic and confusing about which buses are going where, and when. But people in Costa Rica are generally kind will assist you if you ask around; knowing a little bit of Spanish definitely helps.
Private Transfer
If you prefer a more comfortable and convenient option, you can arrange a private transfer from San Jose or other locations to Puerto Viejo. This option is more expensive than taking a shared shuttle or bus, but it offers more flexibility and privacy.
Since we landed in San Jose at a weird time at night, we took a private shuttle and it was a very positive experience. Our driver told us all about Costa Rica and even took us to a local spot on the way for dinner. But if you can make it for a shared shuttle, it’s much cheaper.
Book a private shuttle from SJO to Puerto Viejo.
Rental Car
If you plan to explore the area around Puerto Viejo, renting a car may be a good option. There are several car rental agencies in San Jose and Limon.
I always rent cars through Expedia, even abroad. Find a car today!
Getting Around Puerto Viejo
The main part of Puerto Viejo is quite small, only a few square blocks. Here you will find tons of restaurants, cafes, shops and grocery stores. However overall area of Puerto Viejo actually spans several km along the coast.
Most of the hotels and accommodations are sprinkled all over this area, and not really in the center of town. You can walk pretty much everywhere, but to reach some beaches or hotels I would definitely recommend renting a bike. And if you plan to be there while, maybe even buy or rent a used moto.
Where to Work as a Digital Nomad in Puerto Viejo
Is there WIFI in Puerto Viejo?
Overall, the WIFI in Puerto Viejo is good and we were able to work remote joining Zoom calls and running other software without much lag.
The main issue we encountered was that the town suffered from spontaneous power outages, sometimes lasting a couple hours. We had a portable WiFi hotspot that saved the day a few times.
Coworking Spaces
Puerto&Co
They promote themselves as the savior to your slow connection issues and boast high-speed fiber optic internet. Although I will say when we were there, the internet seemed slower than at our apartment; I can only assume they’ve upgraded since then.
Puerto&Co offers a range of seating options from desks with office chairs to bean bags to meeting rooms. The best part is that they also have a Vegan Café and are conveniently located in the heart of Puerto Viejo.
Memberships:
2 Hours – $6
1 Day – $15
1 Week – $40
1 Month – $150
Check out more Puerto&Co membership options.
Selina
Selina is a hostel meets coworking space located about 1km from the main part of Puerto Viejo. However you don’t have to stay there to work remote from their state-of-the art coworking space.
Selina has large space with hot desks and ergonomic chairs as well as meetings rooms and beach views!
Other on-site amenities include a swimming pool, pizza garden, beachfront bar, yoga deck, and complimentary WiFi.
Memberships:
1 Day – $10
1 Week – $50
Meeting Room – $20
Book your stay at Selina today!
Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo proper is very small. The main part of town is only a few blocks square. This ‘city center’ is where you find most of the restaurants, cafes, shops and markets. However the accommodation options are sprinkled all over the area, some are even a few km from town.
Hotels and Hostels
There are tons of options when it comes to staying in a hotel or hostel. Puerto Viejo has everything from luxury resorts, boutique bungalows, family-friendly hotels, to dirty backpacker hostels.
Choose your own adventure.
Make sure you check your location before booking. Some are quite secluded in the rainforest (which you may prefer) and could take a while to get to town.
The best beaches in the area are actually just outside Puerto Viejo, so many hotels and hostels are located near these areas instead of the main town. You can always rent bikes which makes getting around super easy.
Best Luxury Hotel
Best Mid-Range Accommodation
Best Hostel
Airbnb
Costa Rica might be the most expensive country in Central America. The bulk of the Airbnb’s range between $1000 to $3000. There are some located in the town center, others in a ‘hotel zone’ near Playa Negra, and some are actually tucked away in the rainforest.
Best Time to Visit Puerto Viejo
The best time to visit Puerto Viejo really depends what you plan to do while you’re there and personal comfort. Here are some factors to consider:
Weather
The weather in Puerto Viejo is typically warm and humid year-round, with temperatures averaging around 80°F (27°C). However, the area experiences rainy season from May to November, with the heaviest rains in September and October.
The dry season runs from December to April, with the least rain and the most sunshine. We were digital nomads in Puerto Viejo the month of December and it could get pretty spicy out.
Surfing
If you plan to surf in Puerto Viejo, the best time to visit is from December to March, when the waves are generally larger and more consistent. Not like I need to be surfing any large waves at my current skill level.
Wildlife
The best time to see wildlife in the area is during the dry season, from December to April, when animals are more active and easier to spot. Although I’m still bitter I never saw a sloth…
When is the best time to digital nomad in Puerto Viejo?
The best months to visit Puerto Viejo for most travelers are from December to April, during the dry season when there is less rain and more sunshine, and the best surfing conditions.
For these reasons this is also peak tourist season, so it may be more crowded during this time.
Make Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica Your Next Digital Nomad Destination
Puerto Viejo is a dreamy topical paradise perfect for digital nomads who wish to chill out and live a slower, more modest life. There are plenty of cafes and coworking spaces to get some work done, and tons of things to keep you busy while you’re not working. Surfing on your lunch break? Yes please.
Add Puerto Viejo to your Central America itinerary.
Comment below if you have any more questions!
