From Cahuita to Manzanillo by Lisa Khajavi Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline within the Limon province stretches from Barra del Colorado in the north bordering Nicaragua,  to the tiny town of Sixaola in the south bordering Panama.  Barra del Colorado is famous for world-class tarpon and snook fishing, and nearby Tortuguero for the magical turtle nesting season.  The estuaries, parks and refuges in both of these places are amazing for anyone interested in wildlife viewing.  Tiny Sixaola is really not noteworthy unless you plan to brave the rickety border crossing into Panama.  However for an amazing beach and jungle experience, I am going to focus on the area covering Cahuita to Manzanillo where the stunning coconut lined beaches, hypnotic calypso, relaxing reggae and spicy creole cooking all come together for an overall experience you won’t find anywhere else in Costa Rica. Playa Cocles Near Puerto Viejo This area truly developed a culture and rhythm all its own.  The feel is Afro-Caribbean with Jamaican flair, coming from the culture brought into the area in the late 1870’s.  The building of the railroad and the boom of the banana industry brought workers from Jamaica and other Caribbean islands who then settled here.  They and their descendants established fishing and farming communities all along the coast and the colorful influences reflected in wonderful food, music and language are alive and well today.  Savor creamy coconut rice with lobster or  Jamaican Rondon (Rundown) stew with local red snapper, fresh coconut milk, plantain, breadfruit and the vibrant scotch bonnet pepper-so tantalizing!  Calypso legend Walter Ferguson lives in the area, and reggae beats can be heard all around.  Additionally, you will find the indigenous Bri Bri, Cabecar and Kekoldi tribes keeping their traditions alive in the reserves of the nearby Talamanca Mountains.  There are other indigenous reserves in Costa Rica, but in this area the culture is more intact because of its remote location, away from the hustle and bustle of the Central Valley and widespread development of the Pacific beaches.  One of my favorite finds in this area is the organic and sustainable cacao bean production, from which high grade chocolate is made.  One of the local Bri Bri families outside of Puerto Viejo near the village of Bambu hosts unforgettable agrotourism experiences on their rustic plantation.  The Jamaican-Creole roots, combined with the local indigenous heritage is quite a contrast to the rest of  Costa Rica which has so many with Spanish descent, and so many international influences blended into daily life. Bribri Cacao Plantation Talamanca Costa Rica I need to start by mentioning Limon because it is the capital of the entire province and the gateway to the Southern Caribbean Coast.    An important port for commerce and cruise ships, it was just off the coast here, near Uvita Island where Christopher Colombus anchored in 1502 on his fourth and final voyage to the New World.