Punta Uva: 25 Must-Do Activities On The Caribbean Getaway

Are you curious why Punta Uva is getting so much attention? Here is why!

This Secret tropical heaven is tucked away on the breathtaking Caribbean coastline of Costa Rica.

Punta Uva welcomes you with silky white sandy shores, glistening blue oceans and lush rainforests. This place is jam-packed with adventure, serenity, wildlife and marine life bursting with colours.

This immaculate beach village is the epitome of peace and raw beauty for those who are looking for a dreamy getaway.

Come along with us and discover the captivating must-visit places, tempting food tours, and exciting things to do in Punta Uva!

What Makes Punta Uva Famous

Punta Uva is a hidden treasure that welcomes you with its immaculate Caribbean coastline tucked away in Costa Rica.

This is the ideal tropical destination for those who are searching for unspoiled natural beauty, tranquil beaches, and thriving aquatic life. Punta Uva provides the ideal balance between adventure and serenity.

Since it’s not overtaken by the presence of large resorts and agencies and the inherent beauty is maintained, this place defines what the Caribbean culture actually is.

Playa Punta Uva is renowned for its breathtaking butterfly gardens, which are home to some of the rarest and most exotic butterflies found in Costa Rica, such as the blue morpho.

How To Reach Punta Uva Easily

Flight: There are scheduled flights from San José, which is the capital of the country, to Limón, the nearest airport. It is just a 1 hour 30 minutes drive to get there.
car/taxi: Puerto Viejo is the largest hub in this region, so plan your travel to Punta Uva from here. It is just a 9 km or 18-minute drive to get there via a taxi.
Bus: hop on a bus that departs daily to Manzanillo, which only takes a 6-minute drive to reach Punta Uva.

25 Exciting Things To Do In Punta Uva

1. Playa Punta Uva

This is a small coastal village that has been rapidly becoming famous and renowned for its untouched beaches, marine life, white sun-kissed sand, and tropical forests.

Its “raw beauty” is the only outstanding feature that draws tourists every year.

The fact that Punta Uva isn’t overly developed and has managed to maintain its natural beauty and peaceful pace is possibly one of its best features.

Location: Limón

2. Kayak

Kayak is one of the most famous water sports here, you can explore the seashore while kayaking around the river.

You can spot wildlife like monkeys, birds, sea turtles, and toucans. Just make sure you don’t touch or tease them.

Location: Limón
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

3. Sloth watching tour

Do not miss the opportunity to embark on an exciting journey to spot sloths in the most beautiful tropical rainforests in Costa Rica.

Learn about the creatures, Costa Rican culture, rich history and traditions.

Take a stroll through the lush forests and experience the magic filled with adventure, knowledge and traditional tales.

Location: Limón
Duration: 2 hours 30 minutes

4. Tortuguero folk dance

Tortuguero is a remote village in Costa Rica, known for its traditional folk dance that reflects the region’s Afro-Caribbean influences.

The dances often celebrate nature, local wildlife, and the vibrant culture of the area.

Distance: 3 hr 54 min from Punta Uva
Location: Tortuguero
Duration: 1 hour

5. Tram ride in Veragua Rainforest

Spend your day full of adventure and discovering the breathtaking 3,400-acre Veragua Rainforest mountain reserve.

This forest offers natural guided trails, and you can hop on a tram for aerial views of the canopy.

Discover the natural treasures of magnificent tropical rainforests in the Veragua Rainforest, Costa Rica, which offers amazing views of the Talamanca Range’s unending mountains.

Distance: 1 hr 53-min drive
Location: Limón
Duration: 5 hours

6. Refugio Nacional Gandoca

Gandoca-Manzanillo is a famous National Wildlife Refuge that attracts a lot of tourists due to its unique blend of land, beach, and seascapes as well as its vibrant local culture.

It encompasses wetlands, such as swamps, lakes, coral reefs, beds of underwater plants, and seaweed, as well as beaches with shimmering sand.

Along with the town of Manzanillo, the Gandoca Manzanillo wildlife reserve encompasses several motels, vacation rentals, and small luxury resorts along route Puerto Viejo.

Distance: 2 minutes drive
Location: Limón
Duration: 3-4 hours

7. Playa Manzanillo

Manzanillo is one of the most spectacular places with incredibly clear water, the perfect area for surfing, stunning black sand, swimming, and snorkelling along with vibrant coral reefs.

If you are a beach lover then you must stop at this location for a relaxed getaway and adore the Caribbean beauty. You can capture aesthetic moments and enjoy the nearby eateries.

Distance: 8 hr 41 min from Punta Uva
Location: Puntarenas

8. Jaguar Rescue Center

This jaguar rescue centre is a well-managed wildlife rescue centre and their only concern is to take care of injured wildlife and rescue orphaned animals for release back into the wild.

These include sloths, monkeys, crocodiles, and snakes.

Distance: 7 minutes drive
Location: Puerto Viejo, Limón
Duration: 5 hours

9. Playa Cocles

Cocles is a picturesque Caribbean heaven, stretched for a mile, lined with palm trees along with a sun-kissed sandy beach.

If you love to surf then this is a must-visit place for you!

You can find the best waves ideal for surfing, located on the Eastern coast of Costa Rica and draw surf lovers from the entire world.

You can also come across a tribe with native BiriBiri roots.

Distance: 9 minutes drive
Location: Limón

10. Puerto Viejo

Get on an enchanting adventure by hopping on a bike and get off the grid.

Explore the stunning beaches, visit cosy cafes, enjoy coconut water, relax on the shores, spot monkeys, and sloths, and delve into the Caribbean culture.

Distance: 16 minutes drive
Location: Limón

11. Banana plantation tour

Do not miss the opportunity to explore banana plantations, and find out about cultivating, collecting, and storing bananas by visiting a plantation.

This tour gives you an insight into the importance of bananas in the economy of Costa Rica.

It offers you a chance to delve into this unique experience where you get to taste fresh bananas directly from the plantation.

Distance: 34 minutes drive
Location: Limón
Duration: 5 hours

12. Wildlife tour

Take a guided wildlife excursion to learn about Punta Uva’s abundant biodiversity.

Venture on a thrilling journey to explore wildlife like sloths, monkeys, snakes, and exotic birds in the lush tropical rainforests of Punta Uva.

If you are a nature lover and want to see Costa Rica’s stunning wildlife, this tour is ideal.

Distance: 16 minutes drive
Location: Puerto Viejo
Duration: 2-3 hours

13. Cahutia national park

Cahuita National Park is nestled near the southern part of Cahuita town, spanning 2,640 acres of land.

Along with a sea renowned for its stunning beaches, verdant rainforests, and vibrant coral reefs.

The name of this park translates into “mouth of water” in the traditional BiriBiri language. You can spot marine life, mammals, and chirping birds in the park.

Distance: 34 minutes drive
Location: Limón
Duration: 6 hours

14. Uvita Beach

Uvita Beach has been becoming most loved by tourists in Costa Rica.

Although it’s not as famous as other beaches like Jaco or Manuel Antonio it offers a perfect location to relax in the tranquil space.

Now it is one of Costa Rica’s growing beach tourism hotspots, drawing larger crowds of visitors each year, especially around the whale-watching seasons.

Distance: 7 hr 20 min drive
Location: Puntarenas

15. Playa Dominicalito

If you want to relax on the shore with tranquil waves touching the golden sand, then this is the ideal place.

This beach is preferred by surfers or those who are beginners and want to learn surfing. You can easily stroll barefoot along the sandy, slightly rocky shoreline.

Distance: 6 hr 57-min drive
Location: Puntarenas

16. Playa Gandoca

This beach has dark sand, stunning ocean and serenity. A wonderful location to explore!

The shimmering sand is stretched over 3.5 kilometres with a curved coastline, encircled with palm trees and flora.

Distance: 59 min drive
Location: Limón

17. Snorkelling

Explore the Punta Uva underwater, which is just like a rainbow of hues, bursting with colours.

Go on a snorkelling adventure and dive in to spot vibrant coral reefs, aquatic marine life and tropical fishes, rays and sea turtles.

Location: Limón
Duration: 5-7 hours

18. Rafting

Book a guided tour to raft along the Pacuare River also known as Río Pacuare, which originates in Costa Rica and travels 108 kilometres to the Caribbean.

This popular spot is ideal for rafting, riverboarding and kayaking with gushing waves to give you an adrenaline rush.

You can spot numerous bird species and a diverse range of tropical animals in the nearby rainforest.

Distance: 2 hr 21 min car drive
Location: Cartago
Duration: 7 hours 30 minutes

19. Tortuguero boat tour

Mark this magical experience on your bucket list!

You will be provided with a mystical and exceptional experience where you may take in all the panoramic splendour and appreciate the landscape all around you.

Take a stroll and you may come across different species like mammals, birds, reptiles and much more.

Distance: 3 hr 57 min drive
Location: Limón
Duration: 6 hours

20. Explore Limón

The region of Puerto Limón in Costa Rica is well-known for its golden-sand Caribbean beaches, unique native cuisine, and abundant biodiversity.

This excursion guarantees you an experience of exploring sea shores, city tours, and must-see locations like banana plantations and Tortuguero Canals.

Distance: 1 hr 18-min drive
Location: Limón

21. Playa Bonita

Playa Bonita is a serene beach located near Limón, Costa Rica.

Known for its golden sands and calm waters, it’s a perfect spot for relaxation and enjoying the stunning sunsets on the Caribbean coast.

Distance: 1 hr 22-min drive
Location: Limón

22. Ziplining

In Punta Uva, enjoy the exhilaration of ziplining through the canopy of the rainforest. Ideal for those who enjoy a thrill!

As you soar amongst treetops, this adventurous excursion offers a magnificent view of the coastline and jungle, giving you a unique panorama of the region’s spectacular natural settings.

Duration: 5 hours

23. Puerto Viejo horseback riding

horseback riding during sunset in Punta Uva

Puerto Viejo offers exciting horseback riding experiences along its pristine beaches and lush rainforests.

Riders can explore scenic coastal trails and enjoy the natural beauty of the region.

Distance: 16-min drive
Duration: 2 hours

24. Manzanillo rainforest

The Manzanillo Rainforest, located in the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, is a biodiverse heaven teeming with wildlife.

Visitors can hike through lush tropical forests, spot exotic animals, and enjoy breathtaking ocean views.

Distance: 2-minute drive
Location: Limón
Duration: 3 hours

25. Playa Cacao

Playa Cacao is a secluded beach on the Osa Peninsula, Costa Rica.

Surrounded by dense rainforest, it’s a tranquil spot for swimming, snorkelling, and enjoying the natural beauty of the Golfo Dulce region.

Distance: 9-minute walk
Location: Playa Chiquita

10 Best Hotels in Punta Uva

Best Dining Options In Punta Uva

FAQs

How far is Punta Uva from airport?

Limón international airport is the nearest to Punta Uva. It only takes a 1 hour 11 minutes car ride to reach Punta Uva from the airport.

Can you swim in Punta Uva?

Yes! Punta Uva is famous for its stunning beaches, ideal for swimming, and water sports and draws tourists all around the year. The must-visit beaches are:

Punta Uva
Playa Manzanillo
Playa Uvita
Playa Bonita
Playa Cacao

Where is Punta Uva Beach?

Punta Uva is tucked away in the Caribbean coastline, Limón Province, Costa Rica. It is located near the Limón International Airport, just 1 hour 11 minutes drive away.

Restaurant	Province	Speciality	Food
El Refugio Grill	Puerto Viejo Manzanillo	Serves amazing cocktails, chicken salad, hamburgers, tuna salad and sandwiches.
La Sirena	Puerto Viejo	Serves outstanding ceviche, burgers, pizza and salads.
Restaurant Eden Beach	Puerto Viejo	Best ensaladas, parilla and quesadillas.
KOKi Beach Restaurant & Bar	Puerto Viejo de Talamanca	Vegetarian dishes, cocktails,
TOSTAS	Limón	Offers vegan dishes, fresh fruits, corn tortilla, ceviche and smoothie bowls.
Indomito	Punta Uva	Delicious seafood, traditional Costa Rican food and pizza.
Selvin	Limón	Cocktails, ceviche, lobster, shrimp and desserts.
Restaurant Arrecife	Limón	Mouthwatering steak, bruschettas, BBQ, cocktails, and coffee.
Pura Gula Restaurante	Playa Chiquita	Delectable pasta, fish, beef tenderloin and cocktails.
Panaderia Vida Sana	Playa Chiquita	Aesthetic café that serves South American and Costa Rican cuisine
Sol del Caribe	Limón	Cocktails, salmon, tuna and Caribbean chicken.
Azul bar & grill	Puerto Viejo de Talamanca	Central America, Caribbean and Costa Rican cuisine and gluten-free options.
El Umbral Punta Uva	Punta Uva	A relaxing spot that serves fresh fruits, healthy food and Costa Rican cuisine.