10 things not to expect from the costa rica southern caribbean coast
TRANSCRIPT
What not to expect on Costa Rica’s
Southern Caribbean Coast
1. The same weather.
Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast experiences nearly the complete opposite weather patterns as the rest of the country. When the Pacific Coast is baking under a blazing sun, the Caribbean Coast is getting greener from tropical rain showers; and when the rest of the country is drenched in “Rainy Season,” it is Costa Rica Caribbean Summer thanks to a unique microclimate.
2. Huge mega resorts and hotel chains.
When you're on the beach at Puerto Viejo or Playa Cocles on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica all you see are sea, sky, sand and jungle. No 10-floor hotel towers. No sprawling condominiums. Hotels in Puerto Viejo are set back from the beach and are at the most two-stories high, keeping in harmony with nature.
3. Dust and desert-like landscapes.
It’s not called the Costa Rica dry season for nothing. The Pacific Coast gets drier and browner as time progresses from January to May, under a sizzling tropical sun with little to no rain. That terrible dust problem you find in many Pacific Coast towns – you won’t find it in the Caribbean. Regular showers all year keep the Caribbean green and lush … and cooler!
4. Destruction of nature.
On the Costa Rica southern Caribbean Coast, the jungle stretches right to the sea – thick, lush and full of wildlife. It hasn’t been bulldozed for those mega resorts or clear-cut for cattle.
5. Fast food chains.
You won’t find McDonald’s here, or KFC or Pizza Hut. Only lots of real, authenticCaribbean cuisine and food from all over the world, thanks to Puerto Viejo’s melting pot population.
6. Super highways.
There is one main two-lane road from Limon to Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, and the locals like it that way. The main mode of transportation around Puerto Viejo is beach cruiser bicycle. Time to relax and slow down.
7. Rush hour traffic.
Other than maybe a group of people on bicycles heading to the beach or a party, you won’t get stuck in traffic over here.
8. Resort prices.
You can go to a hotel chain on the Pacific Coast if you want to pay $20 for a typical Costa Rican meal. On the Caribbean Coast, that same meal will run you $6 to $9.
9. Stressed out, pushy, rude people.
Unless you bring them – or are one yourself – you’ll find most people on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast are easygoing, friendly and happy.
10. Concrete jungle.
It’s only the real deal jungle here, with not much concrete in sight.
