I’d like to start off by saying that none of Puerto Viejo’s beaches are ugly. Far from it, they all are astoundingly beautiful. I would recommend if you’re in the area to see all of them! However, if you have limited time and want to get that perfect Instagram picture, here is our definitive ranking of the area’s beaches:

No. 1 — PLAYA CHIQUITA

In the battle of picturesque beaches, we have to give the win to Playa Chiquita. Sitting three miles south of Puerto Viejo, it is far enough away from the hustle and bustle of the city that few visitors venture out there, making it one of the less crowded beaches in the area. The waters in Playa Chiquita are also considerably clearer than the surrounding beaches so you can gaze deeply into the beach’s many tide pools that lie close to the shore. A large part of the white sand is protected from the sun by a canopy of palm trees and there are many well-placed driftwood logs available for sitting and enjoying the view.

Best For: Instagram Pictures, Sunrise Views

No. 2 — PLAYA ARRECIFE

Protected on both sides by Punta Uva and Punta Arrecife, going to Playa Arrecife really gives you the feeling of getting away from it all. Located five miles south of Puerto Viejo, Arrecife is the most remote of all of the beaches on our list, which in turn makes it the least crowded. Also, the surrounding coves give it a decent amount of protection so the waves are relatively mellow.

Best For: Body Surfing, Tanning, Relaxation

No. 3 — PUERTO VIEJO

The namesake of the area, Puerto Viejo offers a lively Caribbean town in addition to a beautiful coastline. There is nowhere better in the area to sit and drink the day or night away, as you’ll always find a mix of tourists and locals that are more than willing to party with you. Also, just off the coastline lies a few shipwrecked boats that add to the atmosphere and are fun to climb around on.

Best For: Nightlife, Day Drinking, Shopping

No. 5 — PLAYA NEGRA

This beach is unique in that, as the name suggests, it is an entirely black sand beach. While not extremely comfortable to lay on because of the heat, the black sand is still extremely soft and also very beautiful. There’s also a great surf spot for beginners, as it has fairly protected waters.

Best For: Beginner Surfing, Unique Pictures

No. 6 — PLAYA COCLES

Playa Cocles is not without its unique qualities. There are dozens of surf schools for those who are brave enough to venture into Playa Cocles’ riptides in search of the perfect wave (and lifeguards on duty for those who bit off more than they can chew). However, it is quite crowded most days, with lots of people approaching you to sell various goods, and not particularly picturesque, so we had to put this one last on our list.

Best For: Expert Surfers

I hope you enjoy as much as we did!