The vibe in Puerto Viejo is casual and thoroughly unpretentious. But, there are also retirees looking for a slow-paced life in a beautiful setting. Many expats have even started small businesses-cafes, restaurant, hostels, tour companies, microbreweries, and B&Bs. With so many English speakers the transition to a new life here is easy. But it’s easy to meet people and make friends.ĭozens of nationalities are represented in Puerto Viejo, with a strong American and Canadian contingent and plenty of Europeans, too. When you live on the Caribbean it’s a small community.
Most people just call it Caja.įor a low monthly fee based on income, an expat single person or couple receives all the medical care they need, including prescription drugs, diagnostic tests, doctor visits, and surgeries. Still, many expat retirees without chronic conditions or serious medical concerns happily make their home in Puerto Viejo.Ī huge benefit is that those who become legal residents of Costa Rica, under the pensionado program are able to join the government-run healthcare system, called Caja Costarricense de Seguro Social. Many local expats go all the way to the capital, San Jose, which is a four-hour drive, to seek medical care beyond basic needs. For emergency or specialist care, you must travel to the nearest public hospital in Limon, which is about 90 minutes from Puerto Viejo by car or bus. There are small clinics and doctor’s offices in the area, but they typically aren’t well-equipped. Puerto Viejo is a rural area…the least developed region of Costa Rica. All this contributes to a healthy lifestyle for expats of all ages. People tend to walk or bike everywhere and there are plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as seafood. The year-round warm weather on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast lends itself to outdoor activity like beach combing, snorkeling, surfing, and more. Retire in Puerto Viejo ©iStock/Rainer Lesniewski Running from the port city of Limon to the border with Panama, 57 miles to the south, most expats and visitors stay in and around the fishing villages and beach communities of Cahuita, Manzanillo, Punta Uva, Playa Chiquita, and Playa Cocles. The Caribbean coast’s heart is the tiny town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a fishing village turned tourist hub for the small number of visitors who make their way here. White-sand beaches…Clear turquoise water filled with tropical fish…Palm trees swaying in the breeze…A laidback vibe, Costa Rica’s little-known Caribbean coast is the ultimate tropical paradise. Donations to ATEC can be made through PayPal, or email them for more information.Puerto Viejo: The Ultimate Tropical Paradise
A set of books costs just 6,000 colones ($12) per student. It has also purchased four sets of schoolbooks for students at the Patino School, and is still raising funds to get books for all 50 students. You can donate at their Go Fund Me page or get more information here.ĪTEC and have started a Twitter feed at 'gcpuertoviejo', with a “green tip” posted every day to remind folks in Talamanca and all over the globe of the little things you can do to keep Talamanca green.ĪTEC, the Talamancan Association of Ecotourism and Conservation, based in Puerto Viejo, was able to raise money to purchase school supplies for all 20 kids at the Kekoldi School. Jaguar Rescue Center is currently raising funds to insulate electrical transformers and save the many wild animals who are killed and injured by them every year. If you are outside the area and would like to help, you can donate at the Puerto Viejo Satellite donation page and we will pass on your donation. If you are in the area you can drop donations off at the Pleasure Ride office in the Multicentro. You can help make a difference by donating a food bag (with $10 you can get basic supplies for several days), hygiene products, clothes, shoes etc. Gecko Trail Costa Rica is coordinating help. Tourist areas are mostly recovering quickly but a little up in the hills are the hidden tragedies. Due to the recent flooding caused by several tropical waves hitting the canton of Talamanca in Limon, home to Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, there is urgent need of assistance for many families who have literally lost everything.
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