Punta Uva Beach Costa Rica

Punta Uva Beach

Punta Uva is one of the most beautiful beaches in the area, thought by many as the most beautiful beach in Costa Rica. ‘Punta Uva’ means ‘Grape Point’ and takes its name from a sea grape tree situated at the very point of Punta Uva. The point extends out into the Caribbean Sea around 300m and sits about 20m above sea level covered by thick jungle that at times is full of howler monkeys.

There is a trail up to the point from the left hand side that you can walk and take in the breath taking coastline on each side of the point. At the tip is a tunnel going from one side to the other that you can swim out to, depending on the conditions

The left hand (north) side of Punta Uva is a great swimming area and during bigger swells the surfers and ocean kayakers take advantage of the waves breaking around the point and reef. There is a good restaurant/bar just off the beach offering a wide selection of food and cold drinks with a very tropical feel as the bar and surrounding ranchitos are made only with indigenous materials.

Pura Vida in Punta Uva!

On the right hand side of Punta Uva you will find the Arrecife Restaurant, a “comida typica” (traditional Costa Rican food) restaurant, again with a wide selection of food and cold drinks. This is the perfect area to treat yourself to that well deserved cocktail that you have been dreaming of whilst kicking your feet up in a hammock overlooking the sea with the palm trees offering shade from the Central American sun.

Selvin’s Restaurant is also located in Punta Uva at the first access point from Puerto Viejo. The Restaurant is owned by a very friendly local named Selvin who really knows how to cook seafood using the local ingredients of the area. Try and not miss out on his authentic Jamaican Ron Don (”run down”) seafood soup that is normally served over the weekend.

If you do not have your own transportation, a great way to get there is by renting a bicycle from one of the many bike shops in town. The road between Puerto Viejo and Punta Uva is approx 9km and is very flat so fortunately there are not any big hills that you have to climb. The road at times can get very dusty especially when we haven’t had rain for a few days and it is also full of pot holes which at least keeps the speed of passing vehicles at a minimum. However, by the time you reach your destination the feeling of the lukewarm waters of the Caribbean will feel that much better as you bath in Paradise.

If a bicycle is not your thing, you can always rent a scooter or an electric cart which is a great way to see the surrounding areas as you explore the beaches and mountains between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. The Rental shop has prices per hour or by the week and they will even deliver to your hotel.

Satellite View of Puerto Viejo Beaches

We also have a taxi boat that leaves from the center of Puerto Viejo to Punta Uva and back again depending on how long you wish to stay. Giving you a completely different view of the Caribbean coast as you pass by Cocles Island, off Playa Cocles, and take in the secluded coastline occupied by more wildlife than people.

Punta Uva also offers great scuba diving and snorkeling. The dive shops in the area spend most of their dives in or around Punta Uva as the drop down the 30m reef wall or to the holes created by an earthquake gives the diving world some great dive sites occupied by the colorful marine life of the Caribbean.

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