
Where to take your family in South America
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If there’s anywhere in Costa Rica to perfect the art of rest and relaxation, it’s the Caribbean coast. Complete with requisite palm trees, snow-white beaches and picture-perfect turquoise waves, the coastline has ‘beach holiday’ written all over it. But dig a little deeper into the sands and you’ll soon see that R&R doesn’t have to mean doing nothing... In Puerto Viejo, a sleepy (by day!) Afro-Caribbean village, join the surfers as they gather to tackle the waves, and then head into town to sample the uber-trendy eateries and vibrant food stalls, or find an offbeat bar for a drink and chilled-out vibes. For swimming, resist the temptation at Puerto Viejo and instead head to Playa Cocles, two miles up the road, and dip into the water before touring the nearby cacao forests and chocolate-creation lab. Then, there’s Cahuita National Park, a 10 square-kilometre, nature-rich paradise that spills from land to coral reef, rainforest to lagoon, and protects sea turtles, manta rays and sloths. But equally, if you would like to sit, take a moment and watch the waves tumbling onto the sands, the Caribbean coast will absolutely oblige...
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One look at Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and you'll know you've arrived in the Caribbean. The beaches are the biggest draw, making a beautiful spot to laze in the sun with a coconut drink in hand or ride horseback along the sand, while the Salsa Braves provide some of the best surfing in the world. Get into the spirit of things with dinner in a local village, where reggae beats spill out onto the streets. In true Costa Rican fashion, there are also plenty of lush reserves to explore inland, a knowledgeable guide by your side.
There may be palm trees and beaches, but there’s also reggae beats, chilled-out surfers, tasty food stalls, and wildlife. Enjoy them all.
Head away from the coast and discover some of the country’s indigenous communities that have resisted tourism and modernity for centuries.
The accommodation on the Caribbean coast falls short compared to the rest of Costa Rica, but there are still some gems to unearth if you know where to look.
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