Sampler plate at Pita Bonita

Photo 1 of 5. Click to view slideshow.
Sampler plate at Pita Bonita

Super Vegetarian Friendly

Esa página está disponible también en español.

Puerto Viejo and the surrounding communities are super vegetarian friendly. Most places in Costa Rica will have some basic options for vegetarians, such as the typical "casado" plate which can come with fried cheese or eggs or sometimes just veggies. But traditional Costa Rican cooking doesn't tend to be very interesting for vegetarians and, as you can imagine, is worse for vegans.

But in the Puerto Viejo area you will find a lot more than that with tons of places that have diverse and interesting vegetarian and vegan options and a few places that are completely vegetarian. Here are some of the best options.

Sort by: Category | Alphabetic

Restaurants

Cafe Rio Negro

Cafe Rio Negro

Ceviche, fresh seafood, hamburgers, pizza, desserts, batidos. Lots of vegan options. Open for lunch and dinner.
 +506-2750-0155
 Average rating: 88 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Chile Rojo

Chile Rojo

Thai and asian fusion restaurant. Sushi bar. Many vegetarian and vegan options including thai curries, veggie burger and veggie sushi (ask). Great people watching on the main drag across from the beach and crafts market.
 +506 2750 0421, +506 8396 3247
 Average rating: 84 Very Good
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Grow Beachfront Restaurant

Grow Beachfront Restaurant

Beachfront vegetarian restaurant and bar. Serves breakfast, lunch, and dinner from a small menu. Crepes, burritos, bowls. Gluten-free options. Coffee, healthy mocktails, artesanal beer.
 +506 8370 6334
 Average rating: 94 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegan. No animal products on menu

GypSea Café

GypSea Café

Farm to table restaurant with organic ingredients. Catering to omnivores with a great selection for vegetarians. Open for breakfast and lunch.
 +506 2750 2016
 Average rating: 92 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Jammin Comunidad Vegana

Jammin Comunidad Vegana

Vegan community and open-air rasta style restaurant. Aims to have positive impact on the environment through self-sustainable practices and agriculture. Hosts activities related to music, art, and veganism.
 +506 6372 5317
 Average rating: 96 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegan. No animal products on menu

Madre Tierra

Madre Tierra

Cocktails, restaurant and bar. Variety of food including Caribbean, Latin, Seafood, Costa Rican, Fusion and Vegetarian.
 +506 2750 2083
 Average rating: 90 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

The Pelican Pub and Cafe

The Pelican Pub and Cafe

Restaurant and pub. Draft beer. Varied menu including lots of plant based options.
 +506 6026 4559
 Average rating: 94 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Port Vell

Port Vell

A breakfast and brunch restaurant in the heart of Puerto Viejo. Homemade recipes with locally grown ingredients. Vegan and vegetarian options. Coffees (plant-based milks), smoothies, espresso and lot's more. They also host events from Cafe Bla Bla such as games nights and language exchange.
 +506 6038 8624
 Average rating: 98 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Puerto Pirata

Puerto Pirata

Meals, snacks, coffee and batidos on the porch in a chill location overlooking the sea. Evenings becomes the Tiki Bar with cocktail specials. Menu has vegetarian, vegan and sustainable seafood only; no meat.
 +506 2750 0459
 Average rating: 89 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Pura Gula Restaurant

Pura Gula Restaurant

Healthy slow food restaurant
 +506 8634 6404
 Average rating: 92 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Sanito Pura Vida

Sanito Pura Vida

Restaurant and serving organic, vegetarian and vegan food made with local ingredients. Store selling organic and local products. They also sell Vida Sana breads as they are located at Vida Sana. Previously named Tostas and Namú Organika.
 +506 2750 3007
 Average rating: 100 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Stashu's Con Fusion

Stashu's Con Fusion

Fusion food restaurant with live music. Caribbean, Mediterranean and Asian flavors along with fresh seafood and great vegetarian and vegan options.
 +506 8385-6887
 Average rating: 91 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Zaika Bar and Grill

Zaika Bar & Grill

Indian restaurant. Good selection of vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options.
 +506 8800 7708
 Average rating: 96 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Coffee, Ice Cream, Chocolate and Dessert

BOA Coworking

BOA Coworking

Coworking space, café, lounge and gallery upstairs from Green Jaguar Irish Gastro Pub but with a separate food menu which is fully vegetarian.
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Bread and Chocolate

Bread and Chocolate

Restaurant known for their baked goods, coffee and desserts but there is also a full menu. Good number of vegetarian options and has some vegan desserts and meals as well.
 +506 2750-0723
 Average rating: 92 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Caribeans Coffee and Chocolate

Caribeans Coffee and Chocolate

Coffee house, chocolate factory and tasting room. Smoothies and light meals too. Offers the Chocolate Forest Experience Tour where you can see the chocolate making experience from the cacao forest to the finished product. Also regular community events and learning opportunities from yoga to film nights.
 +506 2750-0504, 8341-2034
 Average rating: 96 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Como En Mi Casa Art Cafe

Como En Mi Casa Art Cafe

Espresso drinks, desserts, breakfast, sandwiches, salads. c
 +506 6069 6319, 6069 6337
 Average rating: 96 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Juice for Life Wolaba

Juice for Life Wolaba

Fresh juices and smoothies. 100% natural, organic and vegan. The smoothies are made with coconut based yogurt.
 +506 7043 9694
 Average rating: 98 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegan. No animal products on menu

Ocho Nani

Ocho Nani

Gourmet Italian style ice cream plus fruit salad, smoothies, milk shakes. Many vegan ice cream options including a vegan chocolate.
 +506 8928 8272
 Average rating: 98 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Supermarkets and Other Groceries

Bio Mercado Puerto Viejo

Bio Mercado Puerto Viejo

Organic, local, artisanal & natural products. Juice bar.
 +506 2750 3224
 Average rating: 98 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Namú Ecotienda Orgánica

Namú Ecotienda Orgánica

Superfoods and organics, natural soaps and cosmetics
 +506 8886 2133
 Average rating: 90 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Puerto Viejo Farmers and Artisans Market

Puerto Viejo Farmers and Artisans Market

Weekly farmers' and artisan's market of local produce and other products held every Saturday morning from 6am to noon. Come early for the best selection! Arts and craft market is Thursday to Sunday from 3pm to 8pm.
 +506 2750 0883
 Average rating: 92 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Rios Vegan Food

Rios Vegan Food

Italian bakery and ready to eat foods such as empanadas and sandwiches. At their store or also available locally at several area supermarkets. Everything vegan.
 +506 8754 0205
 Average rating: 96 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegan. No animal products on menu

Hostels

Mar Caribe

Mar Caribe

Budget lodging with basic double or triple private rooms and a shared kitchen. The owner Veronica also offers classes in healthy vegetarian and vegan cooking, medicinal plants, and retreats that combine cultural education with community service. The lodging was previously known as Veronica's Place and as Caribbean Flavors Backpackers.
 +506 8964 8225
 View on booking.com
 Average room rate: $48
 Average rating: 84 Very Good
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Hotels

Colores Seafront

Colores Seafront

Hotel and restaurant right in the heart of Manzanillo across from the beach. Simple rooms with private bath and minifridge. In the space formerly occupied by Mar y Sol Hostel. Restaurant serves a variety of international and Costa Rican dishes and has ample options for vegetarians and vegans.
 +506 6203 0798
 Average room rate: $37
 Average rating: 92 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian-Friendly. Has good vegetarian options but also serves meat or fish

Samasati Yoga and Wellness Retreat

Samasati Yoga and Wellness Retreat

Perched on a mountain ridge overlooking the Caribbean Sea, offers guest house and casita accommodations. They host retreats, workshops, guest artists and travelers. Stays include vegetarian buffet served in an open air restaurant. Also available on site are healing massage treatments, jacuzzi spa, nature trails, waterfall with natural pool, daily yoga classes and a meditation hall.
 800 563 9643 (USA Toll free), +506 8428 3918 (Costa Rica)
 Average room rate: $105
 Average rating: 89 Excellent
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Spas, Hair, Massage, Yoga

AmaSer

AmaSer

Retreat and training center. Health and wellness retreats. Yoga teacher trainings. Full service spa. Public yoga classes. Vegan and gluten free restaurant. Accommodations. Home of Caribe Yoga Academy. Previously named OM at Cashew Hill.
 +506 2750 0001
 Average rating: 97 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Schools

Veronica's Place Cooking Class

Veronica's Place Cooking Class

Cooking classes and permaculture farm from long time Puerto Viejo resident Veronica. The classes focus on vegetarian and vegan Caribbean cooking. There are also some accommodation options and occasional book in advance vegetarian meals.
 +506 8918 3238
 Average rating: 100 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegetarian. Serves dairy and/or eggs

Vacation Rentals

Pura Vida Vegana

Pura Vida Vegana

Vacation rental house for up to 4 persons hosted by a German family. Double bed plus bunk beds, equipped kitchen, living room, terrace. Vegan breakfast and dinner available as well as vegan catering.
 View on booking.com
 Average room rate: $119
 Average rating: 96 Exceptional
 View on map
 Vegan. No animal products on menu

Additional comments from our visitors about Vegetarian and Vegan in Puerto Viejo

Write a comment/review

What are people saying about us?

Daniela

Hi, I can highly recommend Soulsurfer Restaurant. Very nice place right on the beach. Veggie Burger, tuna burger - all fresh. Even the sauces are homemade. Founded with love by two Germans. This must not be missing in the list. Brand new - a secret tip. Enjoy it.

January 13, 2018

What are people saying about us?

Puerto Viejo Satellite

Thanks for the tip Daniela. The place looks very nice and I haven't had a chance to check it out yet! I've added a listing page for it 634|here but don't think it qualifies for the Vegetarian page as there is only the 1 vegetarian option and nothing vegan but that veggie burger looks good!

January 13, 2018

What are people saying about us?

Chad ( regular annual visit to PV in Feb march.

Which beach is this on?

October 08, 2018

What are people saying about us?

Puerto Viejo Satellite

It's on Salsa Brava between town and Cocles. Location is 634|here

October 08, 2018

Add your comment or question

None
(required) (Address never made public)
(required)
(if you'd like a link included to your homepage)
Add photo?

You may upload a photo from your hard drive to accompany your comment if you like. Your photo will be automatically resized but to upload must be no more than 6MB.

Contact Reason: (required)
Subscribe? Email me when someone replies to my comment
Email me when any comment is made on this page
No, I don't want to receive any email

   Due to a problem with spam, your comment will not appear until it has been approved.