Sarapiqui
Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui is a small pueblo located in the province of Heredia. This area is best known for bird watching, wildlife observation and adventure tourism. Everything revolves around the Rio Sarapiqui, which is a tributary of the Rio San Juan.
The town of Puerto Viejo offers visitors with the ability to enjoy the daily life style that the locals live. The pace is slower than more popular tourist destinations. Restaurants are limited as well as grocery stores. The true vacation lies within the forest instead of a resort, restaurant, or mall. Of course there are the tourist souvenir stands but these are at a minimum.
Outside of town, there is plenty of wildlife and natural reserves. The Organization of Tropical Studies has set up an amazing biological station where one can observe flora, fauna, wildlife and their studies. Selva Verde is another great option with numerous trails through the jungle.
It is not all wild flora and fauna in this region. There are ornamental plant, banana and pineapple plantations that run throughout the area. There is also an amazing butterfly garden that it is home to over dozens of species.
Adventurers will enjoy ziplining, whitewater rafting, rappelling and hiking. Arenal Volcano or Turrialba Volcano are both located within a reasonable drive.
The Northern Zone is an area of fairly unpredicatble weather where one can wake to sunny skies, weather torential down pours by 10am and then have sunny skies again by noon. Temperatures usually hovering in the upper 70s during the day and lower 60s at night. The rain season here runs from May through June and September through November. The heaviest rains are generally during September and October. Worth mentiong is the fact that despite the rains, September and October are usually the best months of the year for volcano observation. Though clearly not scientific, locals attribute this to the heavy rains knocking down the cloud cover around the volcano.
Visitors should pack shorts, tee shirts, appropriate shoes, rain gear, sun block. It is also advised to bring at least one pair of pants and a long sleeve shirt.
Fun Fact: Puerto Viejo means Old Port in English. There is another Puerto Viejo along the Caribbean coast which is often confused by tourists.
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