Welcome to RicaRent, your specialist in Costa Rican villa rentals 

Caribbean region

Spanning some 125 miles from Nicaragua down to Panama, the Caribbean region has some of the densest vegetation, most diverse landscapes and receives the highest amount of rainfall. Christopher Columbus was greeted by this coastline of lush, jungle-lined, white-sand beaches when he landed here in 1502 and named the country Costa Rica - 'rich coast'. The Caribbean has more protected land than any other region providing excellent opportunities for surfing, rafting, sportsfishing and diving.

Limon

Somewhat dilapidated, the port town of Limon was established during Columbus's days. It has since been used as a major port transporting coffee and bananas all around the world. The town comes to life during October when Columbus Day - El Dia de la Raza is celebrated with a carnival. This is when Puerto Limon's Afro-Caribbean culture can be experienced at its best.

Tortuguero

Formerly a scattering of volcanic islands, Tortuguero National Park is now characterized by an alluvial floodplain split by a series of swampy canals. It covers 19,000 hectares and is famous for one of the few remaining nesting beaches of the endangered green turtle. Every year between June and October, mostly beneath a waning moon, the green turtles drag themselves from the sea to the beach where they dig the holes in which they lay their eggs. The Hawksbill and Loggerhead turtles also nest here during this time. The giant Leatherback, the largest sea turtle in the world, nests here from February to July. 13 of Costa Rica's 16 species of wildlife under threat of becoming extinct can be spotted in Tortuguero; these include jaguars, cougars, manatees and tapirs.

Cahuita

Cahuita is a laidback beach-side village perfect for soaking up the atmosphere, sampling delicious Afro-Caribbean or relaxing on the beautiful black-sand beach. A decent coral reef makes for good diving and snorkeling and the nearby national park has some idyllic trails through the rainforest. Cahuita National Park is also home to the few remaining indigenous Indian tribes of Costa Rica namely the Bribri, Cocles and Talamanca Cabecarv tribes.

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

South of Cahuita lays the young and vibrant town of Puerto Viejo. Acclaimed for its surf, most notably a wave called Salsa Brava, it also has a lively party scene and good restaurants. Caution should be exercised when walking around the quieter streets of the town late at night.

Manzanillo

Close to the Panamanian border, the Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo protects both a stretch of land and sea. It contains some of Costa Rica's last remaining coral reefs reached via Punta Uva. As well as being a popular park for snorkelling Gandoca-Manzanillo is also home to rare turtle nesting beaches, the only red mangrove swamp in Costa Rica, rainforest, Sajo trees and shorelines fringed by both holio and coconut palms from where the sunsets are spectacular.