Hotel Cariblue

Cocles beach days, rainforest afternoons

Cross the street for Playa Cocles, then return to rainforest trees and a pool at Hotel Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort. That close relationship between coast and greenery gives this midrange Puerto Viejo lodge its appeal. The accommodation ranges from rustic bungalows to hotel-style rooms, so you can choose the atmosphere and space that suit your stay.

Pool, spa and Caribbean dining

The large pool sits at the heart of the grounds, with lounge chairs providing a natural place to pause after a beach outing. Aqua Caribbean Spa offers treatments and massages when you want to devote a little more time to unwinding. The Jacuzzi and tropical gardens add other reasons to enjoy the hotel between adventures.

SoleLuna Restaurant occupies an open-air rancho near the pool and serves a fusion of Caribbean cuisine. Totem Beach Bar sits within the restaurant, bringing tropical drinks into the same relaxed setting. A meal here can be an inviting way to finish a day along the coast.

Surf and wildlife outings

Playa Cocles offers surfing, including daily lessons at the north end. For wildlife outings, Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge bring trails, beaches and opportunities to look for monkeys, sloths and birds. Snorkeling is possible in the drier seasons; conditions help determine what is suitable on the day.

The nearby reserves hold more than the coast’s most familiar mammals. Along with monkeys and sloths, you may look for toucans, iguanas, frogs and colorful pit vipers as you explore Cahuita or Gandoca-Manzanillo. Cahuita is an appealing place to begin when wildlife is high on your list. For another coastal experience, Salsa Brava in Puerto Viejo draws surfers to its larger waves. Choose the outing that interests you, then return to the pool and gardens for the quieter part of the day.

Room choices and practical details

Compare the room styles before booking. The Jungle House provides multiple bedrooms, while some hotel rooms sit in a building at the front of the property. Bring your own pool and beach towels, as the hotel does not provide them. Wi-Fi is available in some common areas. With those practical details planned, there is plenty of room for a simple Caribbean rhythm: beach, pool and dinner beneath the rancho.

What to consider when choosing Hotel Cariblue

• Cariblue’s midrange jungle-and-beach combination suits travelers who want leafy grounds and Playa Cocles across the street, rather than rooms directly on the sand.
• A large central pool with lounge chairs, a Jacuzzi and Aqua Caribbean Spa make an unplanned afternoon at the lodge appealing after time along the coast.
• SoleLuna’s open-air rancho serves Caribbean-fusion dishes near the pool, with Totem Beach Bar inside the restaurant—dinner and tropical drinks fit naturally into a hotel evening.
• Compare rustic bungalows, hotel-style rooms at the front of the property and the multi-bedroom Jungle House for the atmosphere, location and space your party needs.
• Bring your own pool and beach towels, because the hotel does not provide them. Wi-Fi is available in some common areas, so plan around that limited coverage.
• Daily surf lessons at northern Cocles offer a learning opportunity, while Salsa Brava brings bigger waves nearby; choose the beach experience that suits your interests and conditions.
• Cahuita and Gandoca-Manzanillo offer land-based wildlife opportunities, from monkeys and sloths to frogs, iguanas and toucans; snorkeling is possible during drier seasons rather than assured throughout the year.
• Tropical gardens and tall rainforest trees give the hotel a laid-back natural atmosphere, making it useful as both an outing base and a place to enjoy the hours between excursions.