Eighty-two km north of San José sits Puerto Viejo, a tiny community in a majestic valley surrounded by rainforests. Though most travelers pass through Sarapiquí en route to Volcán Arenal to the west or Tortuguero to the east, an increasing number of nature enthusiasts are lingering in this small jungle town to take advantage of some of Costa Rica's most diverse and dense wildlife and vegetation. No longer a major trade port to the Caribbean, Puerto Viejo's location on the banks of the Río Sarapiquí, the "river with two personalities," has made it a popular destination for those seeking adventurous white water rafting and much calmer river tours. Both provide excellent opportunities to observe the area's 500+ species of birds.
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