Main pool area
Main pool area
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Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort, Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Relaxed property with lodges set in the jungle and not too far from the beach.

Overview

Cariblue Jungle and Beach Resort is a group of lodges with thatched awnings spread among a large property in the jungle. Each lodge has about four to six rooms and two floors. Although not a beachfront property, it’s just down the road from Playa Cocles and not far from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Other perks of the property include two outdoor pools, bicycle rentals, and weekly live music.

Pros
  • This lodge-like property gives you both jungle and beach vibes, as it’s surrounded by forest but also just a few minutes from Playa Cocles. 
  • A restaurant and two bars (adorned with traditional thatched roofing) separate two outdoor swimming pools.
  • You can rent bicycles at the property, which is a great way to explore Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a 10-15-minute cycle.
  • On the weekends, you can enjoy live music in the evening. 
Cons
  • This is a large property with lots of rooms, so it can feel a bit busy. 
  • The Wi-Fi is quite slow.
  • Although not far from the sea, it’s not a beachfront property.

Kimkim's Take

Brittany
Brittany McNamara kimkim staff
Based on kimkim staff visit, March 2022 (Learn more)

Authenticity

Although just down the street from the beach, Cariblue feels like it's deep in the forest, surrounded by tropical vegetation. Getting from your room to the main building for breakfast (or a swim) requires a short and pleasant stroll through the jungle. The wooden lodges dot the property, complete with traditional thatched roofing.

Location

Cariblue Jungle and Beach Resort blends the best of both worlds with its location. You won't be directly on the beach, but it's just a few minutes to Playa Cocles by foot, and you'll be in what feels like an overflowing jungle. Unfortunately, the beach isn't the best for swimming, but you can still enjoy relaxing, splashing on the shore, and watching surfers in the waves. The resort isn't far from Puerto Viejo de Talamanca (about a 10-15-minute cycle or 5 minutes by car).

Rooms & Bathrooms

The property is large, and about four to six rooms accompany each lodge, so it can feel a little busy. Rooms come in many layouts, but all have colorful decor, comfortable beds, and shared or private terraces with hammocks. Some have ocean views, desks, and/or lofts. Bathrooms are large but dated, especially the old showerheads. Be prepared to bring all your own toiletries, as the resort only supplies soap.

Other Highlights

You'll find a restaurant, two bars, and two outdoor swimming pools at the resort's main building. The restaurant provides your morning breakfast buffet with plenty of options, plus a fusion of Mediterranean and Caribbean dishes for other meals. In the late afternoon, you can enjoy happy hour at the bars and try the property's signature cocktails. And on Fridays and Saturdays, there's live music in the evenings.

Sustainability

A significant part of the resort's property (which stretches across 5 ac/2 ha) is a protected jungle, home to wildlife and unique plant life. The resort partners with several nonprofits (two being the Sloth Conservation Foundation and Planta Mi Arbol), which help support the property's natural habitat. Other on-site sustainability initiatives include recycling, using organic food in the restaurant, and reducing water waste.

Hotel Information

Hotel stars icon 3-star Hotel
Hotel phone icon +506 27500518
Hotel address icon Playa Cocles, 1.5 Km.

Traveler Reviews

5 total ratings, 4 with reviews
4.2 out of 5
Feature ratings
Authenticity & Character
4.6
Location
5.0
Staff
4.0
Cleanliness & Comfort
4.6
R
Roveen B.
Berkeley, CA | Reviewed on Jan 04, 2023
Nice, rustic set-up, right across from a beach with nice grounds. A good dining room with a varied menu, and a pleasant lounge area. We ended up enjoying the nail-biting World Cup Finals while there! The breakfast buffet was unexciting. There is a pool with a swim-up bar, which we ended up not using due to the proximity to the beach itself. The service at the resort was a bit uneven, e.g., they only give you one key per room (regardless of number of guests in the room), and they didn't seem... Read more

Nice, rustic set-up, right across from a beach with nice grounds. A good dining room with a varied menu, and a pleasant lounge area. We ended up enjoying the nail-biting World Cup Finals while there! The breakfast buffet was unexciting. There is a pool with a swim-up bar, which we ended up not using due to the proximity to the beach itself. The service at the resort was a bit uneven, e.g., they only give you one key per room (regardless of number of guests in the room), and they didn't seem to have the front desk manned after hours in case of any issues like getting locked out. Also, one of our rooms had a leaking AC unit, and the staff did not (or were not able to) fix it and we ended up not using it. The location of the resort is great though with easy access to Puerto Viejo dining and night life.

Authenticity & Character
Good grounds, nice lounge area and bar.
Location
Access to town, access to Cocles beach
Staff
Uneven service and staff didn't seems fully trained for customer service for a place like this. Some people were friendly and nice and some not so. One of the people at the front-desk (Alberto) was downright rude and condescending including berating one of the older folks in our group for taking off her wrist tag :(
Cleanliness & Comfort
AC in one room was leaking and did not get fixed. Have multiple keys to the room if there are more than one guest.
Stayed in December 2022
Edward
Edward G.
Gloucester, MA | Reviewed on Jan 02, 2023
step below the Arenal Monoa - If the Arenal Manoa had not been so good ..... Read more

step below the Arenal Monoa - If the Arenal Manoa had not been so good .....

Authenticity & Character
Location
Close to beach -
Staff
Guy (not gentleman) at the desk bordered on being rude with my wife
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in December 2022
John
John K.
Canton, GA | Reviewed on Aug 19, 2022
We had a wonderful and relaxing 6-night stay at Cariblue - this was the middle leg of our trip and we enjoyed the extra time and lazy days that a long stay afforded. The accommodation was lovely, the air-con was a luxury and we enjoyed the pool and the restaurant. We were also able to experience the beach and the immediate location outside the hotel on foot. It was quiet and never crowded out and about. Read more

We had a wonderful and relaxing 6-night stay at Cariblue - this was the middle leg of our trip and we enjoyed the extra time and lazy days that a long stay afforded. The accommodation was lovely, the air-con was a luxury and we enjoyed the pool and the restaurant. We were also able to experience the beach and the immediate location outside the hotel on foot. It was quiet and never crowded out and about.

Authenticity & Character
Location
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2022
Maritza
Maritza P.
Dallas, TX | Reviewed on Jul 10, 2022
Got to see sloths, ajouti, butterflies galore..poison dart frogs, toucans, different loca birds! Read more

Got to see sloths, ajouti, butterflies galore..poison dart frogs, toucans, different loca birds!

Authenticity & Character
Jungle!!
Location
The jungle flora and fauna!
Staff
Cleanliness & Comfort
Stayed in July 2022