One Love, Many Bands

While Puerto Viejo is known year-round as the central reggae-party in Costa Rica, the atmosphere changes during each March and April for the annual South Caribbean Music Festival. Held at the Playa Chiquita Lodge, the festival has concerts on Friday and Saturday night with live reggae, classical, and calypso music from around the Caribbean coast.

Though the music itself is enough of an attraction for most visitors, the festival doesn’t stop there. In true Caribbean tradition, you can also enjoy home-cooked Caribbean specialties at the open-air concerts, watch dance recitals of local and foreign groups, and join in workshops where local musicians teach kids and tourists to play Caribbean-style music.

With stellar music, great food, and a picturesque backdrop against the calm, palm-tree-dotted beaches of Puerto Viejo, the South Caribbean Music Festival is the epitome of the area’s chilled-out lifestyle; a few days jamming to the relaxed beats and you may find yourself joining the dreadlocked locals for a longer stay.

The South Caribbean Music Festival is held each year in March and April. Check with the Playa Chiquita Lodge (2750 0062 or 2750 0408; festival@playachicquitalodge.com) for more details.