Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí is a typical river town with rural architecture and numerous suspension bridges. Forests and agricultural plantations surround the town; at the same time, Puerto Viejo is an ecotourism destination. Several biological stations and reserves are located on the outskirts of the community. When deciding where to travel, therefore, consider both the character of the town and the nature destinations in its surroundings.

A river town between forest and plantations

The river, forest, and plantations describe different sides of Puerto Viejo: forests and land used for agriculture surround the community, while rural architecture and numerous suspension bridges shape its character. Nature is not the only theme here; the rural character of the river town also matters. The river connection brings these perspectives together without requiring any one attraction to represent the entire town. If you choose a travel destination based on its relationship to the landscape, you can consider Puerto Viejo as a community with its own character and distinguish it from nature-related attractions in the nearby area.

Tirimbina: forest access and area allocation

Tirimbina is located near Puerto Viejo. There, 10% of the area is accessible for tourism and educational activities; the rest of the reserve is set aside for research and conservation. This clearly defines the area accessible to visitors and for educational activities: it covers only part of the reserve. Access to Tirimbina forest is via a 264 m suspension bridge that crosses the Río Sarapiquí. Unlike the numerous suspension bridges that are part of Puerto Viejo's character, this bridge is a specific river crossing on the way into the forest. The two figures answer different questions: 264 m is the length of the crossing, while 10% is the share of the area allocated to tourism and educational activities. Together, they clarify the specific access point and how the reserve is used.

River history in Sarapiquí canton

In the wider travel area of Sarapiquí canton, Don Rafael's father worked on the Sarapiquí, San Juan, and Río Colorado rivers throughout his life, transporting materials along them. This personal story connects several named rivers with a specific activity. It broadens the perspective beyond Puerto Viejo and adds a regional view of work on the water to the character of the river town.

Getting oriented and choosing accommodation

For orientation within Puerto Viejo, the Muelle Turístico río Sarapiquí – Ruta de los Héroes 1856 offers a specific reference point: it is 350 m east of Banco Nacional. Alongside the character of the town and nearby nature destinations, this gives you a precise location within the community. If you are looking for hotels in Puerto Viejo, first decide what is central to your trip: the river town and its rural surroundings, or nature-related attractions such as the forest near Tirimbina.

Discover more destinations: Tigre, Palo Seco, Vara Blanca, Birrí, San Pablo, San Antonio, El Roble, Muelle

For the wider travel overview: Heredia.