Puerto Viejo inspired me in ways I could’ve never imagined.

I have wanted to explore the Caribbean side of Costa Rica for some time now. I finally visited Puerto Viejo and spent a few days communing with the people in the area.

One of the reasons I wanted to visit Puerto is because of my Jamaican heritage. Many people migrated to Limon and Puerto Viejo, especially when the Panama Canal was built. Therefore, there is a strong presence of Caribbean culture and traditions in this area of Costa Rica. I thought I was going to Puerto to learn more about my Jamaican heritage. However, I was surprised to learn that only a few people of Jamaican descent are still in the area. I was disappointed to find that out, but I still loved the town's energy and vibe.

I learned that a growing ex-pat community of young Black Americans and Canadians now live there. I observed a strong sense of community there that inspired me in ways I could have never imagined. It fed my spirit in many ways. I ultimately met some people from this amazing community during my stay. Interacting with locals here really brought me a lot of joy. They live such a simple, peaceful life that I pray for myself one day.

I stayed in a bungalow at a boutique hotel called Relax Natural Village (Adults Only). They prepared fresh fruit and natural juices for me every morning before I walked to the beach. A supermarket was next door to the hotel, and restaurants not within walking distance were a short taxi ride away.