Updated for 2026: Your local guide to the best free activities in Puerto Jiménez.”
Welcome to Puerto Jimenez Guide. There are a lot of things you can do in Puerto Jimenez that are free.
“First is the lagoon; if you’re lucky, you can see a crocodile. It is an easy walk from anywhere in town. Begin by walking toward the beach road until you reach Delefines restaurant. Behind the restaurant, you will find a dirt road that leads to a small bridge with pipes. Following this path for another 20 meters will bring you to a trail on the left. This trail opens up right at the lagoon, where the big crocodile usually hangs out on the far side. Always watch where you are stepping for snakes!”
> Local Pro Tip: “The big crocodile is usually on the far side of the lagoon. It’s an easy walk from town, but always watch your step for snakes in the tall grass!”
- https://youtube.com/shorts/cDZ6-_TQoo4?feature=share
- made a you tube for the the path .
Visit the rivers
Another great thing to do is a visit to the Rivers, Rio Tigre or Rio Aguas. Both rivers are going out of town. Get on the local bus, Transportation. Tell the driver you want to get off at Rio Tigre or Aguas. To get to the river, there is a road on the side going back into town. You will have to cross the street. Walk down the rivers and find a deep pool to swim in. Bring a picnic. Nothing better than a dip in the cool waters of the rivers.
you tube of the Aguas River below.
https://youtube.com/shorts/gmRjtJbuD3Y?si=Fo2jKikW55HcyDap
Go to the waterfall
There is a small waterfall on the way to Matapalo. It has a nice pool to swim in.
> “To reach the waterfall, catch the colectivo going toward Carate and Matapalo. Passengers should get off at Matapalo right after passing the world-famous Martinez bar and crossing the bridge. Walking back to the bridge starts the easy hike up the river. Switching from side to side allows you to follow the trail until you reach the hill. Once you climb that final hill, you have arrived!”
Get off the colectivo at Matapalo and walk back to the bridge. The hike up the river is easy. You will have to switch from one side to the other to follow the trail. Then you will come to a hill, you’re almost there!! Climb the hill, and you have arrived at the waterfall.
Enjoy the cool water in the pool. after you excursion, stop by Martinez for a cold drink.
Corcovado Park
To get to the park for free. This is something the tour companies do not want to tell you. The trail head at Carate is on public land! Which means you do not need a permit or a guide. La Leona is the first ranger station.
The trail head at Carate is located on public land, which means you do not need a permit or a guide to explore it. Reaching the La Leona ranger station marks the boundary of the park. Once you arrive at the station, you have gone as far as allowed without a permit, but the walk there offers plenty of wildlife.”
Catch the colectivo van going to Carate, first one leaves at 6 am, and the last one leaves Carate at 4 pm.
Doz Brazos de el Tigre
Another great day trip is visiting the small barrio of Dos Brazos, located at the head of two rivers that form the Rio Tigre. Hiking the river leads to deep pools perfect for cooling off while immersed in nature. Listen for the sound of water caressing the rocks—it’s a beautiful, bubbly sound. During my last visit, I even spotted a Tayra! Visit the dedicated Dos Brazos page for more details on what to do there.”
Getting there.
To get to Dos Brazos, you can catch the collective van. It leaves from the gas station in town at 6 am. for more information on what you can do, visit The Dos Brazos page