Exploring Puerto Viejo while Studying Abroad in Costa Rica

Exploring Puerto Viejo on Spring Break during San José Study Abroad Program 

Semana Santa is one of the important holidays abroad in Costa Rica. It translates to “Holy Week,” and celebrates the coming, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Costa Rica is known for being majority-Catholic country so Holy Week is a major celebration here. While attending Universidad Veritas we have no holidays besides Holy Week so this break is also celebrated as Spring Break. Everyone is traveling together, finding their hostels, getting their groceries, etc.

What I Captured

This photoset is dedicated as a day of my life in Puerto Viejo! Particularly the day I went to Playa Negra, what I ate that day, etc.

Morning Yoga with Friends

A wooden floor with a wooden structure and a wooden table and yoga mats

In the morning, my friends and I walked over to a retreat to do vinyasa Yoga. It was so fun and relaxing! 

I was fortunate enough to make friends abroad. Our destination was Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, known for its Caribbean food, music, and multitude of beaches! I was excited to go because I love beaches and I love traveling and it has significance for me because it was my last time traveling and hanging out with my friends before we left the week after to go home. So, I was in the making last memories mode with the people I cherish because some I won't see again.  

A group of study abroad friends taking a selfie

My friends Alexa, Sophia, and I after completing the yoga! 

From San José to Limon or Puerto Viejo was about a five-hour bus ride. We arrived at our Airbnb, which is a nice house with two bedrooms. Every day I got greeted by this black and white cat I named Mew Mew.

A cat lying on a chair

The beautiful street cat Mew Mew visited me and took my seat! 

I also saw butterflies, lizards, and dogs every day.

The Food and The Beaches

I achieved my dream of riding a bike abroad in a beach town, the wind blowing in my face, seeing all the cool restaurants alongside the beach.

A bowl of fruit on a plate

We grabbed breakfast at a beachfront restaurant! I got a dragon bowl, very yummy! 

A plate of food with shrimp and fries

Grabbed a delicious lunch at a small soda restaurant. 

A plate of pasta and a bowl of salad

Had pasta for dinner and watched “Love is Blind” with my friends. 

There was a beach I wanted to go to which was Playa Negra (“Black Beach”) because of the black sand.

A study abroad student taking a selfie on a beach

Here is me enjoying the nice but hot black sand in Playa Negra! 

I also went to other beaches called Playa Punta Uva and Playa Cocles. 

A group of study abroad students in swimsuits on a beach

Group photo time with me and my friends.   

A beach with a body of water and a sunset

Watched this beautiful sunset after getting out of the water.  


Ebony Owens-Kennedy

Ebony Owens-Kennedy is the Content Creator - Photographer in San José, Costa Rica, and is currently studying at Thomas Jefferson University.