Driving in Caribbean Coast

Reggae culture, jungle beaches and the Tortuguero canals, on the far side of Braulio Carrillo National Park. Route 32 is paved but foggy, busy with trucks and prone to landslide closures, so check conditions before you leave; Tortuguero itself has no road and ends with a boat.

Any car

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Caribbean vibes, jungle beaches and cycling culture — beyond the mountains of Braulio Carrillo.

✈ SJO (4–5h) ☾ 3–4 nights

Any car

Cahuita

A tiny Caribbean village next to a beachside national park with coral reef snorkeling.

✈ SJO (4h) ☾ 2 nights

SUV recommended

Tortuguero

Jungle canals and nesting sea turtles — no roads in, so you'll finish the trip by boat.

✈ SJO (3h drive + 1h boat) ☾ 2 nights

Routes to Caribbean Coast

Any car

San José (SJO) to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

4h – 5h 232 km

Through Braulio Carrillo National Park and down the Caribbean coast: 4–5 hours, paved all the way, but Route 32 is…

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Any car

San José (SJO) to Cahuita

3h 45m – 4h 45m 217 km

About 4 hours to the laid-back Caribbean village next to Cahuita National Park. Paved all the way via Braulio Carrillo…

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SUV recommended

San José (SJO) to Tortuguero (via La Pavona)

3h – 3h 45m 139 km

You can't drive into Tortuguero — you drive to La Pavona dock, park, and take a boat. 3 hours of…

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Any car

La Fortuna (Arenal) to Puerto Viejo

5h – 6h 284 km

From the volcano to the Caribbean: 5–6 hours via Sarapiquí, Guápiles and Limón. Paved all the way.

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