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Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Punta Uva
Spend 2 days in Punta Uva: beach, snorkeling and short hikes; add a half‑day trip to Cahuita National Park.
Punta Uva is a small coastal village on Costa Rica's Caribbean side, known for clean beaches, a butterfly garden and easy access to nearby wildlife reserves. Two days cover beach time, water sports and a quick visit to Cahuita National Park.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Sep–Oct, Feb–Apr
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (rainy season)
- Stay
- 2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡10,000–15,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡15,000–25,000 excl. bed · High ₡25,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police / Ambulance 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Bike rental (hour) | ₡2,000–3,000 |
| Scooter rental (hour) | ₡3,000–4,500 |
| Snorkel gear (hour) | ₡1,500–2,500 |
| Kayak (hour) | ₡2,500–3,500 |
| Dolphin boat trip | US$40–45 |
| Meal at Punta Uva Lounge | US$8–15 |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIO · Limón International Airport
- Approximately 45 km (28 mi) north of Punta Uva; taxis or shared shuttles available.Approximately 28 mi (45 km) north of Punta Uva; taxis or shared shuttles available.
Typical fares
- Bike rental (hour)
- ≈ ₡2,500 per hour, delivery possible
- Taxi Punta Uva → Cahuita
- ≈ US$8–12, 20 min
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Rent bikes, scooters or electric carts from local shops; rentals can be delivered to your accommodation and are charged by the hour.
See and do
Known for
- Beach
- Butterfly garden
- Gandoca‑Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Cahuita National Park | Taxi or shared shuttle from Punta Uva, about 20 min | ≈45 min total |
| Gandoca‑Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge | Walk or bike along the coastal trail, 10–15 min | ≈20 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Cariblue
- Bungalows in tropical garden, beach access, restaurant on site.
- The Tree House Lodge
- Eco‑friendly tree houses near the beach, garden setting.
- Casa Viva Beach House Rentals
- Beach‑front houses with garden, self‑catering.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kul‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑to kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Development is prohibited within 50 m of the high‑tide line; respect the protected zone.
- Some tour operators list prices online that may be outdated; confirm before booking.
Punta Uva is generally safe; keep valuables hidden on the beach and use reputable bike/scooter rentals.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Punta Uva yet. Suggested stay: 2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Beach
- Butterfly garden
- Gandoca‑Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Punta Uva, revision 5316707 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5316707
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Punta Uva
A esta dirección, por favor
To this address, please
My hotel (write the name and address in the local script)
- Police / Ambulance911
US emergency services via 911; nearest US consulate in San José.
Voykit · checked 2026-09
Printed from Voykit (/punta-uva). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.