Salsa Brava (Puerto Viejo surf break)
Nature spot · Caribbean Coast
The heavy reef wave in front of Puerto Viejo, one of the Caribbean's best-known surf breaks. It works when the swell arrives, mostly December to April.
- Cost
- Free
- Time there
- 45 min
- Best time
- afternoon
- Kids
- 4 / 10
- View
- 7 / 10
- Crowds
- 5 / 10
- Swimming
- 1 / 10
- Effort
- 0 / 10
- Location
- 9.6555, -82.7512 — Google Maps
Tip
Watch from the shoreline in the afternoon: the wave is strictly for experienced surfers, beginners learn at Cocles instead.
Be careful
Shallow, sharp reef and strong currents: do not swim here when the swell is up, and stay off the wet rocks.
Places nearby
- Restaurante Lidia's PlaceFood & CoffeeOwner-run local restaurant in a Puerto Viejo neighborhood, praised for coconut rice and beans, a casado visitors rank among the best in the country and fresh lobster and red snapper at fair prices.
- Cafe RicoFood & CoffeeJungle-garden cafe on Avenida 69 known for big breakfasts, house-roasted coffee, a weekly special and a book-lined dining room with stone tables outside.
- Exploradores OutdoorsSurf, Boats & Diving · takes 11.5 h · from $99Rafting and adventure outfitter with offices in San José and Puerto Viejo, known for Pacuare River trips and Caribbean coast tours.
- TerraventurasTours & Adventure · takes 4 h–6 h · from $50Puerto Viejo tour operator since 1998 running canopy, snorkeling, horseback and rainforest tours on the southern Caribbean coast.
- KOKi Beach Restaurant & BarFood & CoffeeBeachfront restaurant and lounge bar in the center of Puerto Viejo, made from reclaimed wood and recycled materials, popular for sunset dinners, fresh seafood and cocktails.
- Bread & ChocolateFood & CoffeeOpen-air wooden cafe in the middle of Puerto Viejo with home-made breakfasts, sandwiches and baked goods, plus its own chocolate made from locally grown cacao.
Sources: Wikidata Q23738629 · https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Puerto_Viejo_de_Talamanca · https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q23738629