Getting Around: Taxis are fairly easy to come by around Puerto Viejo. You’ll either find them hanging around the parquecito (little park), or you can call Taxi PV (tel. 2750-0439). You can rent scooters and bicycles from a handful of roadside operators around town. If you need to rent a car, head to Adobe Rent A Car (www.adobecar.com; tel. 2750-0290).
Town Layout: The road in from the highway runs parallel to Playa Negra, or Black Sand Beach (not the beach in Cahuita), for a few hundred meters before entering the village of Puerto Viejo. The sea is on your left and forested hills on your right as you come into town. It’s another 15km (9 1/3 miles) south to Manzanillo. This road is paved all the way to Manzanillo, although many sections are marked with enormous potholes.
You’ll find a couple of banks and ATMs, as well as the post office (tel. 2750-0404), near the entrance to town. A Guardia Rural police office (tel. 2750-0230) is on the beach, near Johnny’s Place.
There are also a couple of self- and full-service laundromats.
On to Panama: Costa Rica’s southern zone, particularly Puerto Viejo, is a popular jumping-off point for trips into Panama. The nearest and most popular destination is the island retreat of Bocas del Toro. Most tour agencies and hotel desks in the area can arrange tours to Panama. The most reliable and easiest way to get to Bocas del Toro is to take the daily Caribe Shuttle (www.caribeshuttle.com; tel. 2750-0626), which will take you via land and boat for $33 each way; check the website or call for departure times.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
