Caribe Sur de Costa Rica 6 .

Cahuita, en el Caribe Sur, es un pueblo con demasiado encanto, un aut�ntico pueblo caribe�o donde el tiempo parece haberse detenido, en un entorno paradis�aco de playas y magestuosos bosques tropicales. En Cahuita se respira un aire afrocaribe�o, una herencia de Africa que se refleja en la arquitectura, la gastronomia, la m�sica y el sentir de un pueblo cuyas raices est�n en los pescadores de tortuga que desde hace tres siglos se fueron asentando en estas costas. Hoy Cahuita es un pueblo multicultural donde convive gente llegada de todos los rincones del mundo. Fueron los indigenas Miskitos, pescadores de Tortugas, quienes bautizaron el lugar como Cahuita, que en su idioma significa "lugar donde crecen los sangrillos", una especie de �rbol de flores amarillas muy com�n en la zona.

�Porque visitar Cahuita?

Cahuita es un destino muy peculiar dentro del circuito tur�stico de Costa Rica, no solo por su incomparable belleza esc�nica sino por se el pueblo mas representativo de la cultura afrocaribe�a en el pais. Y es que paseando por sus calles uno puede percibir el color, el sabor y los ritmos heredados de Africa y las Antillas. Cahuita cuenta con uno de los tesoros naturales mejor conservados del Caribe Sur, su Parque Nacional, uno de los mas bellos del pais, que encierra una riqueza biol�gica inigualable, Te impresionar� por su increible belleza, sus playas de arenas claras, su arrecife coralino y su majestuoso bosuqe tropical repleto de vida silvestre.

Un lugar Maravilloso

En Cahuita podr�s conocer las t�picas construcciones caribe�as de m�ltiples colores, construidas sobre pilares, que le dan ese aspecto tan caracter�stico a un pueblo que resiste perder su identidad. Podr�s degustar un Rice & Beans o un Rond�n con sabor a coco, curry y chile picante, o disfrutar de un reggae y del calypso. Cahuita tiene una playa preciosa que es ideal para nadar o hacer snorkeling. El Parque Nacional de Cahuita, uno de los m?s visitados de Costa Rica, bordea a la ciudad por el sur.

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1. Cahuita National park & tortuguero canals and more!! 6 in 1 tour

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3. Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon

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11. Kayaking Tour in Gandoca Lagoon throug mangrove forest

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Cahuita National Park

  • Información Information
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Beach, forest and colorful marine life

We have toilets, showers and changing rooms, drinking water, information services, trained local guides, community lifeguards, and picnic areas. Parking in Sector Puerto Vargas.

  • White sand beaches with safe areas for bathers enjoyment where you can perform beach activities.
  • Coral reef, with areas designed for snorkeling, where you can see a great variety of fishes and coral developed coral structures, where stands out cerebriforme coral, elkhorn coral, sea fan, french angelfish, queen angelfish, isabelita fish, cucumber sea, lobsters and turtles.
  • Trails along the coast where you can see: howler monkey, white-faced monkeys, sloths, toucans, coatis, trogon, night heron, tinsel snake, black hawk and basilisks.
  • To enhance your experience it is recommended to hire a local guide.
  • Staying on the trails, use comfortable clothes for walking, biodegradable sunscreen and insect repellent.
  • Taking care of your belongings
  • Do not stand on corals.
  • Remember that the entry of pets, alcoholic beverages, weapons of any kind are not allowed, as well as drug substances.

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Home » Destinations » Caribbean Coast » Puerto Viejo » 21 Things To KNOW Before Visiting Cahuita National Park

21 Things To KNOW Before Visiting Cahuita National Park

By Author Costa Rica Travel Life

Posted on Published: August 16, 2022  - Last updated: March 17, 2024

21 Things To KNOW Before Visiting Cahuita National Park

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Cahuita National Park is one of the best national parks in Costa Rica ! This stunning area near  Puerto Viejo   offers an escape to a tropical jungle full of sloths and monkeys and beaches with coral reefs housing more than 500 species of fish.

While it is among the most well-known national parks here, it’s also one of the least commercialized which is one of the reason why we love it so much. For travelers exploring the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, it provides a unique opportunity to spot wildlife for a fraction of the cost of other parks. In fact, it’s possible to visit Cahuita National Park for free (although donations for park upkeep are welcomed.)

With that said, visiting Cahuita National Park does require some planning. Not only are there some very specific rules to Cahuita National Park, but because it’s rather underdeveloped, you need to prepare.

For that reason, I decided to put together 21 things you need to know before you visit to help make your trip go smoothly. So, here’s everything you need to know before heading to Cahuita National Park! 

1. About Cahuita National Park 

A sloth in Cahuita National Park near Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Every year, travelers from around the world flock to Costa Rica’s gorgeous Caribbean coastline to experience Cahuita National Park. Established in the 1970s, Cahuita National Park was designed to protect an extensive reef system just off the shore. The park encompasses a massive 2,732 acres of land and 55,200 marine acres. 

Cahuita National Park is a favorite tourist destination with sugary white sand beaches and abundant wildlife. It’s one of the top things to see in Costa Rica for wildlife lovers, snorkelers, hikers, and adventurous travelers of all kinds. 

Sadly, the reef is struggling to survive after an earthquake devastated the area in 1991. A large portion of the reef was upturned almost 10 feet (3 meters), causing it to rapidly perish in the light, air, and heat of the harsh tropical sun. Combined with fertilizer runoff from the nearby banana plantations, the reef at Cahuita National Park is a highly threatened environment.

Because of this, snorkeling the reef is only allowed during guided tours with professionals trained to protect the reef from further damage. 

While the reef is undoubtedly one of the main attractions at Cahuita National park, there is plenty more to experience. Hiking trails, rare wildlife, and a picturesque coastline are just a few of the reasons the area remains one of our favorite destinations in the country. 

In fact, I found the trail through Cahuita National Park to be the highlight of my visit. I saw tons of Costa Rican animals including monkeys, lots of birds , sloths, and even a viper snake. 

2. Where is Cahuita National Park?

Cahuita Town, Costa Rica

Cahuita National Park is located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast within the Limon province. It’s about a 20-minute drive north of the popular tourist town of Puerto Viejo, making it a fantastic day trip from Puerto Viejo or Limon .

I love that this park is just outside of the bustling tourist towns, so you can easily immerse yourself in the natural wonder of Costa Rica’s diverse ecosystems. 

The park itself is located within a town of the same name. Cahuita town is a small local village that remains relatively quiet. Even though Cahuita National Park attracts a lot of tourists, the town is much less busy than nearby Puerto Viejo and can make for a fantastic place to stay for a few days if you want to escape the hustle and bustle and enjoy nature. 

There are a few great places to stay in and around Cahuita , a thriving community of ex-pats and locals, and a few places to eat, but other than that, most tourists visiting the town wake up early to hike the national park, and there isn’t much else to do. 

Related Read: If you’re visiting Cahuita from Puerto Viejo, be sure to read our complete guide to deciding where to stay in Puerto Viejo before you go!

3. How much does it cost to visit Cahuita National Park? 

A blue Land Crab in Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

Technically, visiting Cahuita National Park is free if you use the main entrance at Kelly Creek Station . It’s by donation, so you can pay whatever is affordable to you.

Donations fund the park and help preserve the delicate ecosystem of the reef, so it’s a wonderful gesture to Costa Rica to donate whatever you can, especially as a tourist. There is, however, a strongly suggested $5 USD minimum donation.

At the second entrance, through the Puerto Vargas sector , there is an entrance fee of 1,130 colones for Costa Ricans and $5.65 USD for foreigners. Many tourists choose this route as it is closer to Puerto Viejo. You can still choose to pay more as a donation if you want to support the conservation efforts at Cahuita National Park. 

4. Do you need to book your ticket to Cahuita National Park in advance? 

A sloth in a tree on a sloth watching trail in Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

It’s not necessary to book your ticket to Cahuita National Park in advance; you can simply pay when you enter the park.

This is not the case for some national parks in Costa Rica , but Cahuita doesn’t see the same traffic other parks do – another reason why I love Cahuita National Park!

Related Read : In contrast, you MUST purchase tickets in advance to see Manuel Antonio National Park. Check out our complete guide to Manuel Antonio National Park , so you’re prepared to visit another amazing park in Costa Rica!

5. Can you pay for your ticket with a credit card or cash? 

The entrance fee from the Puerto Vargas sector and the donations at the main entrance are cash only. Make sure you’ve visited an ATM before leaving the nearest town so that you have cash on hand to pay the fee or offer a donation to enter the park.  

You can, however, pay in either colones or USD at both entrances.  

6. Entrances to Cahuita National Park 

Playa Blanca in Cahuita National Park

There are two separate entrances to access Cahuita National Park. The main entrance from Cahuita town is called Kelly Station. This entrance is by donation and is highly recommended for tourists. The bus drops off near the entrance, and you can easily walk there from the center of Cahuita town. 

The alternative is to enter from Puerto Vargas. The entrance at Puerto Vargas has a parking lot if you’re traveling by car. This entrance is slightly closer to Puerto Viejo. However, I personally prefer the main entrance. 

Both entrances are connected by a 5-mile (8-kilometer) trail that circles the perimeter of the park along the coast. To hike from one entrance to another and then back to your starting point will be 10 miles (16 kilometers) and take an entire day.

Some travelers park at one entrance, hike the trail towards the other, and then take a taxi back. This is the best way to explore the park in my opinion. 

7. When is the best time to visit Cahuita National Park? 

A male Jesus Christ Lizard Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

When you’re thinking about the best time to visit Costa Rica and Cahuita National Park, you’ll want to take into account when it will be the busiest. Because the park is extremely popular, the peak tourist season (which is also the country’s dry season) from late November through March is particularly busy.

With that said, the Caribbean coast experiences different seasons, with February to April and August to October being the top months to visit for the best weather. You’ll want to visit during those times or the dry season, especially if you plan to go snorkeling . During the rainy season, muddy water from the rivers can cause the water in the reef to cloud significantly, which makes visibility extremely poor. 

If you aren’t planning on snorkeling and prefer to avoid crowds, it’s much less busy during the rainy season (May to early November). 

Whenever you visit Cahuita National Park, arrive as early as possible (8 am is best) to beat the crowds of visitors and feel like you have the beautiful landscape all to yourself. 

8. Cahuita National Park hours

Cahuita National Park is open daily from 8 am to 4 pm.

You will want to arrive before 2 pm to allow yourself enough time to experience the park as workers start to turn people away at the trailhead between 2-3 pm.

9. Is there parking at Cahuita National Park? 

Quiet street in Cahuita town, Costa Rica

There are parking lots at both entrances of Cahuita National Park, but they cost a few dollars. It’s around 3,000 colones ($5.65 USD) to park in the parking lots for the day.

The parking lot for the main park entrance is near the center of Cahuita town, and the Puerto Vargas entrance is close to the ranger station. 

Both lots are guarded, but it is still a good idea not to leave anything valuable in your vehicle. 

Related Read : Besides not keeping valuables in your car, we’ve put together a list of safety tips for traveling in Costa Rica so you can be confident to travel here.

10. Can you visit Cahuita National Park without a tour? 

A guide on a sloth watching tour in Cahuita NP

Exploring Cahuita National Park on your own is perfectly acceptable without a guide. The hiking trails are clearly marked and easily accessible, and most travelers feel confident exploring the hiking trail and beaches on their own.

The only exception is that a guide is needed if you plan on snorkeling the reef. Signing up for a guided snorkeling tour ensures that the small portion of the surviving reef remains safe and that you will experience the best ocean life. You are not allowed to snorkel without a guide!

Also, a guide makes spotting wildlife much easier. So if seeing wildlife it a top priority, hiring a guide is a good idea.

11. How long is the hiking trail in Cahuita National Park? 

The main trail through Cahuita National Park

The entire hiking trail stretches from one park entrance to the other for 5 miles or 8 kilometers. It is an end-to-end trail and not a loop, so the only way to hike back is to take the same trail back the way you came for a total of 10 miles or 16 kilometers. 

There is no need to hike the entire trail, though. It’s still a wonderful experience to hike a portion of the path, enjoy the views, and then turn around. Some travelers choose to take a taxi from their endpoint back to the entrance that they started at after their hike, which makes a nice option if you don’t want to do a full day of roundtrip hiking, but still want to experience the trail in its entirety. 

The trail is well-maintained and almost entirely flat, but sections can get really muddy after rain. I recommend wearing hiking boots if possible, but a pair of runners will also be suitable. Just be prepared to get them dirty!

12. How long does it take to explore Cahuita National Park? 

Cahuita National Park is big, with an extensive hiking trail, many gorgeous beaches, and so much wildlife. It’s definitely a good idea to give yourself at least 3 to 4 hours to explore the park at a minimum.

Many visitors stay all day to enjoy everything Cahuita has to offer, including the hiking trails, stunning white sand beaches, and all of the biodiversity.  

I spent around 5 hours in the park and loved every minute of it. Be sure to allow time to take it easy and relax on the sand. 

13. What wildlife can you see in Cahuita National Park? 

Yellow eyelash Palm Pit Viper in Cahuita

Cahuita National Park is abundant in wildlife of all kinds. It’s one of the best places on the Caribbean Coast to get up close and personal with Costa Rica’s biodiverse animal, plant, and ocean life. 

On a trip to Cahuita National Park, you might see monkeys like howlers and capuchins, sloths, and armadillos. In addition to adorable mammals, there are amphibians and reptiles galore. Tree frogs, lizards, and snakes can also be spotted throughout the park. 

Birds like toucans, egrets, herrings, and parrots can be seen soaring in the sky above the park or perched on the treetops, while the reef is home to countless species of marine life. In addition to rare coral species, there are over 500 species of colorful fish that call Cahuita home.  

Of course, one of the most popular animals to spot is the humble sloth. Although they are in the park, they are hard to find without a guide. So, if seeing a sloth is high on your bucket list, get yourself an expert guide or join a guided tour. 

Related Read: One of the best places to see sloths in Costa Rica is in La Fortuna, where one of the best things to do is take a sloth tour !

14. Can you swim in Cahuita National Park? 

A sign wanting not to snorkel without a guide in Cahuita NP

Yes, Cahuita National Park has some of the most beautiful beaches in Costa Rica ! There are two main beaches within the park that are perfect for swimming.

Both Playa Blanca and Puerto Vargas have beautiful beaches with soft white sand and calm waters. The waters are the perfect shade of bright Caribbean blue, and the palm trees that scatter the coastline provide much-needed shade from the tropical sun. Both beaches are lovely for swimming and splashing the day away. 

Swimming is permitted at the beaches only, and it’s important to remember that snorkeling is not permitted without booking a guided tour.  

15. What should I bring to Cahuita National Park?  

A sloth on a tree in Cahuita NP

To enjoy your day at Cahuita National Park to the fullest extent possible, it’s a good idea to pack a few necessities to make yourself more comfortable throughout the day. We suggest packing a large day pack full of the following items. 

  • Plenty of water for drinking – it’s hot, and you’ll be thirsty on the trail! Plus, there are no shops inside the park. 
  • Bug spray to ward off pesky mosquitoes and flies. 
  • Reef-safe sunscreen – especially if you plan on swimming. 
  • Cash – Cahuita is one of the more underdeveloped national parks in Costa Rica.
  • Snacks or a picnic lunch if you plan to spend the day. But be careful of raccoons; they will steal your bag! 
  • Swimsuits 
  • Beach blanket or towel
  • Dry change of clothes 
  • Lightweight rain jacket 
  • Shoes for hiking 
  • Sunglasses 
  • Camera so that you can take photos of the amazing scenery. 
  • Binoculars if you have some. 

16. Facilities in Cahuita National Park 

Within Cahuita National Park, the natural surroundings are left alone, and there are no facilities except some tables and a small trail. With that said, public bathrooms are located at each entrance at the ranger stations.  

17. Is Cahuita National Park suitable for kids? 

A racoon looks for food on a the trail in Cahuita NP

Cahuita National Park is an excellent place to travel with children. The beaches are beautiful with plenty of shade and have calm waters that are perfect to relax and swim with kids of all ages.

Unlike some of the other beaches in Costa Rica’s national parks, which have big waves and strong riptides, parents can feel good about letting little ones splash around in the water here. 

The hiking trails in the park are also relatively easy and suitable for kids because they are relatively flat. But hiking the entire trail may take a little too long for small children. Five miles can feel like a long way!  

The only concern with children in a wild environment is their interaction with wildlife. Be sure to keep them close so they don’t touch any animals or, worse, reptiles. Some are deadly, and sticking to the trail under supervision is important for kids. 

18. Should I hire a guide to explore the park? 

One of the beaches in Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

If you’re looking to get the most out of your experience at Cahuita National Park and want to see all the wildlife, hiring a guide is a good idea. Local guides are trained to spot animals that you might miss and are sure to give you lots of interesting information about the park and its vibrant plant and animal life. 

I often love to do things without a tour, but spotting wildlife just isn’t one of them. For that reason, I used a guided tour in Cahuita, and after spotting so much wildlife, I was so glad I did! You can choose to either hire a guide at the entrance and negotiate a fee or book this half day Cahuita National Park for $85 USD. If you want more info and further recommendation keep reading because we talk more about our favorite tours later on in this blog.  

With that said, while hiring a guide might add to your experience, it certainly isn’t necessary. It’s an added expense, and you’ll still have a perfectly wonderful time exploring on your own. We would recommend skipping a guide for budget travelers. But if you do so, take your time in the park, so you have more chances of spotting wildlife. 

19. How do you get to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Viejo? 

Daniel and Bailey take a selfie on a bus to Puerto Viejo

From Puerto Viejo, it’s easy to reach Cahuita National Park as a day trip or even a half-day excursion. You can choose to take a bus, drive a rental car , or hire a taxi to reach the park entrance. 

If you choose to take the public bus, they depart several times throughout the morning from Avenida 73 , the main street in Puerto Viejo. It’s very easy, and the journey takes around 40 minutes. There is a small booth on this street that sells tickets and also has updated bus times (they often change in Costa Rica.)

The morning buses leave around 6:30 am, 7:30 am, 9:30 am, and 11:30 am. While afternoon buses are available, they aren’t likely to get you to the park with enough time to explore. There are plenty of buses back to Puerto Viejo throughout the day, and you’ll simply have to swing by the bus stop in Cahuita town and wait for one that is heading in your direction. 

If you choose to take a taxi, the cost is around $20 to $25 USD. If you’re renting a car in Costa Rica , you can just type Cahuita National Park into GPS. It’s an easy drive and only takes about 20 minutes or so. Remember, you’ll need extra cash for parking. 

Getting to Cahuita National Park from Limon or Puerto Viejo is easy, so it’s not something you need to stress about before arriving. 

20. What are the best things to do in Cahuita National Park? 

There is so much to see at Cahuita National Park that you’ll never run out of things to do during your trip. From hiking and wildlife spotting to swimming, it will be an unforgettable adventure that allows you to experience the beauty and nature that make Costa Rica one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. 

If hiking isn’t your thing, you can choose to simply relax all day on the beach and enjoy the beautiful blue water and the palm trees swaying gently in the ocean breeze. One of the most popular activities is snorkeling in the stunning coral reefs on a guided tour, which you can book ahead of time. 

21. What are the best tours of Cahuita National Park?

A monkey in a tree in Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

Cahuita National Park Hike and Waterfall Tour  

For an amazing half-day guided hike option through Cahuita National Park, this is the tour for you. Shuttle service to the park is included and will pick you up from your hotel in Puerto Viejo before taking you to the entrance to the national park. Then you will embark on a tour with a knowledgeable guide who will teach you about the park’s history and point out all the unique species of plants and animals. 

As a bonus, your guide will take you to a secret waterfall within Cahuita National Park, where you can swim and enjoy snacks before returning back to your hotel. Snacks are included throughout your day, and the total cost is about $85 USD per person. This is also one of the top tours in all of Costa Rica , in my opinion. You can book this experience online in advance here .

The Chocolate Forest Experience  

For a one-of-a-kind adventure at Cahuita National Park, consider embarking on the Chocolate Forest Experience. The entire tour takes about 6 hours and includes a shuttle to and from your hotel. You will hike through a cacao forest with a guide and learn about the sustainable production of cacao.

You will also have the opportunity to try cacao in its ceremonial form and even create your own chocolate bar. The tour also includes a stop at Cahuita National Park before returning you back to your hotel. 

Departing at 8 am daily, the tour costs $120 USD per person. It is an excellent way to add a unique cultural experience to your visit to Cahuita National Park. You can book this tour here !

Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon

This full-day tour is a great option if you’re traveling from Puerto Limon. It includes transportation from your hotel in the Limon area to the port where you will embark on a boat. Set sail along the stunning Caribbean coastline of Costa Rica and explore various beaches and the Tortuguero Canals, where your local guide will point out the best wildlife.

You’ll have the opportunity to get off of the boat in Cahuita National Park and explore on a nature walk before returning to the boat and sailing back to Puerto Limon. 

The tour includes bottled water, juice, and a fruit snack, but lunch is not included, so it is a good idea to pack some snacks. The cost is about $95 USD a person and you can book it online here .

Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo

The pool at Selina in Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo is the most popular sizeable town near Cahuita National Park. While this is a smaller center, there are still plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re a budget traveler looking for a chill hostel or craving a bit of resort luxury, there’s something for you. Check out our top picks for all price ranges.

Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel – $

For a relaxing stay, check into the chill vibe of  Playa 506  where you can listen to the ocean as you dream in a hammock. This property walks right out onto the beautiful sandy beachfront of Playa Cocles. With clean rooms and friendly staff who are always willing to help, this is a place where I felt right at home. 

This hostel offers convenient group living accommodations including shared kitchen and hangout areas while having a more low-key vibe. Things really quiet down after dinner time here, so if you want to party, you’ll have to head into town. Expect to spend around $27 USD per night when you book a stay here on Booking.com ,  here on HostelWorld.com ,  here on Hotels.com , or  here on Expedia . 

Selina – $$ 

Selina Puerto Viejo  offers great accommodation for mid-range travelers with shared dorm-style rooms or private accommodations including rooms with bunk beds or two-bedroom suites. There are even unique teepee tents (with a double bed inside!) for a fun take on camping. You’ll pay around $30 USD per night for a bed in a dorm room, around $80 USD for a teepee tent, and more in the $100-150 range for suites and family rooms.

Seline also offers outdoor shared kitchen space, pool, yoga shala, and exciting events on the weekends. If you are looking to socialize and participate in fun group activities, this is the hostel for you. There is always something going on at the Selina! Start the day with a yoga class at 8 am, try out group fitness activities and wellness classes or participate in a guided medication.

There is also a co-work option for the digital nomads who are looking for longer-term accommodations. They have a separate co-work room with desks that you can set up in. During the weekends, Selina is one of the top places to go for events and parties. With different DJs and themed events, this is the place to go for young travelers looking to dance and let loose. Book your spot  here on Booking.com ,  here on HostelWorld.com ,  here on Hotels.com , or  here on Expedia .

Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort – $$$

If you are looking for an affordable luxury stay, this is the place for you. At the  Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort , you’ll stay in your own private bungalow in the heart of the jungle. Lounge by the infinity pool, pamper yourself at the spa, and enjoy the convenience of being directly across from Playa Cocles. 

Every room comes with a terrace overlooking the gardens! Expect to pay between $110-200 USD per night, depending on the size of the room you choose, but they are all pretty large! Book a room  here on Booking.com ,  here on Hotels.com , or  here on Expedia .

Getting Around Costa Rica

Bailey with our rental car near Rio Celeste Costa Rica

How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level. 

Renting a Car

Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.

One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.

Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.

Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.

You can  browse cars on Discover Cars here .

TPL Cover Costa Rica

Book Shuttles

If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica , or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.

Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)

To get the best price, use the website  Bookaway . They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway! 

You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.

Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!  

The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!

It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.

Bailey and Daniel take a selfie in Tortuguero National Park

Cahuita National Park is one of those spots in Costa Rica that lets you escape into nature and the natural beauty of this country. Whether you’re hiking, catching some rays on the beach, or capturing photos of the incredible wildlife, this park is a fantastic and affordable stop on your vacation.

I hope you found this guide to Cahuita National Park helpful before you plan your own trip here!

If you have any other questions about this park or visiting Costa Rica, please leave us a comment or check out some of our other guides like:

The best places to go surfing in Costa Rica & complete surfers’ guide

Things to know before visiting Rio Celeste – ULTIMATE GUIDE

Things to do in Santa Teresa, Costa Rica + guide to visiting

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Cahuita National Park

Cahuita is a unique national park in Costa Rica because of its close relationship with the community. It’s an example of shared management for sustainable development between the community and government. The participation of park rangers and community lifeguards stands out through shared governance and management. Discover the most preserved coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean and enjoy the scenery, culture and cuisine offered in the area. White sand beaches, a turquoise sea and diverse marine life are some of the attractions that await you in Cahuita National Park, in the province of Limón. In this ecosystem, embedded in the Caribbean but with a forest environment, you will find species like raccoons, coatis, sloths, iguanas and lizards. You can also find snakes like the eyelash viper and the rainforest hognosed pitviper, and birds like the common black-hawk. Inside the park you can practice recreational sports and hike the trails, or simply enjoy the beaches, swimming and sunbathing. The park is supported by guides and tour operators from the community, who have been trained by the National Learning Institute and are accredited by the Costa Rican Tourism Board to help inform and provide services to visitors.

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Cahuita National Park Costa Rica: All You Need to Know!

Do you want to escape heavy tourism along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast? Then Cahuita is an excellent place to stay for a few days. You won’t find crowds here like in Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero and the atmosphere is incredibly laid-back. The highlight of this small village is Cahuita National Park. A perfect slice of tropical jungle with a great variety of animals to spot!

Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park, Cahuita, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is well known for protecting its biodiversity. Roughly 28% of the country is either a protected area, a wildlife reserve, or a national park.

One of the smallest national parks is Cahuita National Park. Cahuita National Park was established in 1970 to protect the coral reefs in the Caribbean sea.

Later on, it became the park as it is known today, with coral reefs, beaches, and forests. The waters are teeming with fish and other marine life. The forest consists of tropical rainforests and patches of mangrove swamps.

You can discover the park by walking along an indicated trail and taking a dip in the crystal-clear blue waters.

How to get to cahuita national park

Road local bus Porto Viejo Cahuita Tortuguero Costa Rica

If you’re coming to Cahuita National Park by car you can park at either of the two entrances. Here are the directions to the park at the Kelly Creek entrance in Cahuita town. These are directions to get to the Puerto Vargas entrance. 

If you are coming to Cahuita National Park by public transport, you can catch a local bus from San José several times a day which will cost around $ 6. You can also book shuttle tourist busses here . The local Mepe buses run regularly between Puerto Viejo and Limon. They are rather slow but very cheap ($ 1). 

Hitchhiking is also an option, we did it quite a few times while traveling through Costa Rica and were picked up by tourists as well as by locals.

Cahuita National Park entrances

Cahuita National Park entrance, Cahuita, Costa rica

There are two entrances to Cahuita National Park. The first one you can find at the center of Cahuita town is called Kelly Creek. The other entrance is called Puerto Vargas. Which one to choose depends completely on what you want.

We entered the park at Kelly Creek and exited at Puerto Vargas. The trail is more beautiful starting from Kelly Creek so if you want to keep the best for last it is maybe a good idea to do it the opposite way around. 

Cahuita national park trail

Cahuita national park trail, Cahuita, Costa Rica

The trail inside the park is not a loop but a one-way trail. It’s approximately eight kilometers (five miles) long and stretches along the coast from Kelly Creek to Puerto Vargas.

You can explore the trail yourself or hire a guide to take you around the park. We didn’t take a guide and were able to see a lot of wildlife in the park. People usually gather at a certain place when an animal is spotted so you can easily join them. If you do take a guide make sure he has been accredited by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute.

Of course, you can also book a tour online if that makes you feel more comfortable. This guided tour to Cahuita National Park includes a guided hike in the park with wildlife spotting and a trip to a hidden waterfall in Cahuita.

Cahuita National Park Beaches

Cahuita National Park Playa Blanca, Cahuita Costa Rica

There are two beach areas inside the park called Playa Blanca and Playa Vargas. At some parts of the beaches, it is forbidden to swim because they serve as a protected nesting ground for turtles.

Make sure to look at the map when you enter the park. When you enter the park at Kelly Creek Station you will see a beautiful white sand beach which is probably filled up with tourists sunbathing or lounging in the shades of the almond trees.

Walk a little bit further into the park. The stretches of the beach will become smaller but you will surely find a little slice of tropical beach you will only have to share with a few monkeys.

Cahuita National Park snorkeling

Beach @ Cahuita national Park, Cahuita, Costa Rica

It is not allowed to snorkel in Cahuita National Park without a certified guide because of the fragile state of the coral reefs. We didn’t snorkel in Cahuita but we heard that Willie’s tours should be a good tourist office to book a snorkel tour.

It will cost you $ 30/per person and a minimum of two people is mandatory. Marine life to be seen are reef sharks, sea cucumbers, lobsters, turtles, stingrays, and many other tropical species of fish.

→ Also read: A Complete Guide to The Best Vegan Resorts in Costa Rica

Cahuita National Park Wildlife

Monkey @ Cahuita National Park, Cahuita, Costa Rica

Aside from the marine life to be spotted on a snorkel tour the on-land animal encounters are priceless. We saw sloths, raccoons, iguanas, chestnut-mandibled toucans, howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys, the yellow eyelash viper snake, and a variety of birds , crabs, and snails.

This park is a bit underrated when it comes to spotting wildlife. We saw more animals here than in any of the other parks we visited in Costa Rica. 

Cahuita National Park Wildlife, Cahuita, Costa Rica

Opening hours and entrance fees

The Kelly Creek entrance opens at 6 AM and closes at 5 PM. You can enter the park for free but it is common to donate. They use the donations to maintain the park. The Puerto Vargas entrance opening hours are 8 AM to 4 PM. This entrance is not free but requires a $ 5 entrance fee.

Cahuita national park hotels

If you want to stay a few nights close to the park I can recommend the  Airbnb we stayed at with Zinja and Alonso at Playa Negra. They are amazing hosts and the location and accommodation is simple but beautiful. Squirrels and toucans can easily be observed from your little terrace in the morning.

They also made fresh lemonade for us and took us on a family visit to a Finca and a restaurant in a rural inland part of the country. This is a real authentic experience.

If you have some more money to spend it is a good idea to stay in the jungle at Shamana Eco Lodge . 

Fancy more Costa rica travel advice?

  • Cahuita to Tortuguero by Public Bus and Boat
  • Uvita Waterfall Costa Rica: Full Guide to a Hidden Gem
  • 8 Great Things to Do in Arenal Costa Rica
  • 6 Great Things to Do in Cahuita

Disclaimer: This post may include affiliate links. If you click on them, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

Guide to Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica

  • July 6, 2022

cahuita tours office

What a beautiful National Park! I’d love to explore the trail and the beaches, they look incredible! Thanks for the great guide! I hope I get an opportunity to visit!

cahuita tours office

annelies_degelas

It’s truly a great park and the hike is very easy! 🙂

cahuita tours office

Cahuita looks incredible! I didn’t know that so much of Costa Rica is protected (although I had heard it is an incredible country to see wildlife.) I love the sound of hiking the Cahuita trail and visiting those beeeeautiful beaches!

It’s pure bliss, Josy! 🙂

cahuita tours office

This looks and sounds like a wonderful beautiful place! I wish to visit Cahuita National Park one day!!

It is and you surely should, alex! 🙂

cahuita tours office

These are my favorite kinds of travel experiences – the natural places that are less known to tourists and really showcase a country’s beauty. Cahuita National Park just hit my bucket list! Thanks for sharing!

Mine too, Cris! Happy you like Cahuita National Park! 🙂

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Jaywalktheworld

  • Adventure Log
  • Puerto Rico

15 Amazing Things To Do in Cahuita, Costa Rica

cahuita national park

When I visited Costa Rica for the first time back in 2017, visiting the Caribbean coast wasn’t much of a thought. Now I know people were visiting there but I hadn’t heard much about that area. Coming back for the second time in 2022, we made it a point of emphasis. We set up a base in Puerto Viejo but there are many different areas to visit like Limon and Cahuita. Cahuita was closer so we decided to go there. There are so many things to do in Cahuita and it is much quieter than Limon.

The biggest attraction in Cahuita is by far their national park. It is also home to the largest coral reef in all of Costa Rica. Here you can see many and I mean many animals and enjoy some of the best snorkeling in the whole country. This area is known for its Caribbean influence and that’s why I love it. Cahuita is a quaint beach town that is nice to visit if you want to get away from the crazier Puerto Viejo.

cahuita tours office

How To Get To Cahuita, Costa Rica

Cahuita route map.

  • Bus from San Jose: There is a direct bus that leaves multiple times every day from the MEPE Bus Station. Ask for a ticket to Cahuita and make sure it’s direct. Try to buy it a day before you want to leave to ensure they’ll be enough space. The cost for us from San Jose to Puerto Viejo was 5700 Colones, so it’ll be a little less than that.
  • Bus from Puerto Viejo: This is where we came from. It is very cheap. Go to the ticket office that is located right across the street from the bus station. Ask for a ticket to Cahuita. The price is 800 colones one way. It will take 15-20 minutes. Very Cheap!

Related Blog Post: 10-day Itinerary in Costa Rica

cahuita tours office

The Top Things to Do In Cahuta, Costa Rica

Explore cahuita national park.

Cahuita National Park was the main reason we wanted to visit this town. Not that it’s the only reason to visit but that this national park is amazing. We saw so many animals without even trying, so getting a guide was pointless. I’m not saying don’t get one because they have a ton of knowledge but they aren’t as necessary. There were so many people always pointing up at animals helping everyone out. This was one of my favorite activities that we did when visiting the Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

Cahuita National Park Map

cahuita national park map

Cahuita National Park Entrance Fee

To enter the park, doesn’t cost anything. They ask for you to leave a donation though if you’d like. Everyone left a donation. I would say between 500-1000 colones is probably fine. That’s what we saw in almost everyone around us. It is well worth that amount, so don’t worry because you’ll get your money’s worth.

My Suggested Hiking Gear

Cahuita national park snorkeling.

This is by far the best snorkeling in all of Costa Rica. Make sure you go when it hasn’t been raining for multiple days or it will be hard to see anything. The only way you’re legally allowed to snorkel in this area is by paying for a guide. When entering the park they checked my bag to make sure no snorkeling gear was in there.

Cahuita National Park Animals

You visit Cahuita National park for two reasons: the animals and the beach. There are animals everywhere you look and they even become a problem on the beach. We saw 3 sloths, multiple howlers and white-faced monkeys, tree frogs, turtles, raccoons, and snakes. Below are the many pictures that I took. Be careful with your stuff on the beach as these monkeys will try to take your items!

cahuita tours office

Eat the Local Caribbean Food

Cahuita as well as towns like Puerto Viejo have a huge Caribbean influence. Personally, I’m glad it does because I am a huge fan of jerk sauce and seasoning. Be sure to check out the Reggae bar. It is one of the most popular places in the area for a reason and will surely give you that Caribbean vibe that you’re looking for.

Go on a Chocolate Tour

Cacao is very popular in these regions and it is a good opportunity to try some fresh from the field. There is a really nice tour to take called Cacao Trails Tayku Museo de Cacao . There are many tours going on every day and I have only heard good things about them.

cahuita cacao

Visit the Local BriBri Waterfalls

This area is home to some local tribes that run and own the cacao farms shown above. You can take a tour of them and see how they live their day-to-day lives. Near this area are some waterfalls that are a fun way to get out of the sun. Bribri waterfalls are in the middle of the jungle where you will hear many noises and see many animals.

bribri waterfalls

Go Snorkeling in the Cahuita National Park

This area is home to a 600-acre coral reef that has over 500 different species of fish living here. Snorkeling is banned in this area without a guide but it is totally worth it! It is a paradise for all the snorkeling lovers out there and you will really get an appreciation for the wildlife once you do it.

things to do in cahuita

Grab a Drink at Coco’s Bar

We went here after our adventure through the Cahuita National Park. It was a great way to relax after a nice long day. There is a good selection of TVs with soccer on normally. Grab a bite to eat and a beer to enjoy a relaxing evening! Coco’s is located a couple of blocks straight ahead once you leave the park.

Sun Bathe on the beach

The main beaches you will be going to when visiting Cahuita would be Playa Negra and any beaches located inside the national park. You can’t go wrong with either but Playa Negra will be more populated. Once you enter the park you will have many beaches to choose from along your hike. Added bonus is that you can walk just one 1minute off Playa Negra to go to sunset drinks at the Reggae bar.

things to do in cahuita

Stay at the Secret Garden in Cahuita

Secret Garden in Cahuita is one of the most popular places to stay while visiting, especially as a couples getaway. It is rated a 9.7 for a two-person trip on booking.com. The location is a 3-minute walk from the beach and is ideally located near the entrance to the Cahuita National Park. It is easily one of the nicest and cleanest hostels in the area for the price.

cahuita tours office

Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center

Making a visit to the Jaguar Rescue Center is one of the most popular activities in the area. This rescue center’s job is to take in injured animals, rehab them and then release them back into the wild. Sometimes this isn’t always possible as they have become too used to humans. If that is the case, then these animals stay here and are taken care of by the staff and the volunteers. These are the animals that you will see there. We saw monkeys, toucans, parrots, ocelots, crocodiles, and many others. Unfortunately, there are no jaguars here.

cahuita tours office

See a Sloth at the Sloth Sanctuary

Seeing a sloth in Costa Rica is everyone’s dream when visiting. Sometimes you can find them on your own and other times it can take you weeks to see one in the wild. You might even go home empty-handed but this doesn’t have to be the case. Visit the Sloth Sanctuary just 15 minutes north of Cahuita. Here you are guaranteed to see sloths because they take care of sloths that no longer can live in the wild. This won’t take away from the experience though as seeing one for the first time is just as magical as the last. There are different types of tours that range from $28 – $150, so be sure to check out their website to find out which one is best for you.

cahuita sloth

Visit the Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero is a wildlife haven for many different species and is highly regarded. This area is home to many different species of turtles too as the name “Tortuguero” means “turtle catcher” in Spanish. When visiting, the best way to see everything is actually by boat. It may be far and a little bit of a trip from Cahuita, but it is totally worth it.

Take a Day Trip to Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is located 15-20 minutes south of Cahuita and is the most popular town in the region. It has massively grown in popularity over the years and is big amongst backpackers. There are many things to do here and great areas to go surfing at. An easy and popular way to get around here is by bike. The main part of town is by the water, so go rent a bike for a day and start exploring! You are a lot closer to attractions like Manzanillo and the Jaguar Rescue Center.

cahuita tours office

Best Time to Visit Cahuita, Costa Rica

Visiting the Caribbean coast is very different than most of the country. The weather is far more unpredictable. We spent our first 3 weeks of the trip on the Western beaches of the Nicoya Peninsula and didn’t see rain once. When we got to the Caribbean side we were met with rain 3 or 4 days out of the week. With that being said the best times to visit Cahuita are between February to April and August to October.

Thank you for reading my guide about the things to do in Cahuita, Costa Rica! I hope you get to enjoy what this side of Costa Rica has to offer as we did. There is so much to do around here, I wish we had more time. It almost feels like you are in a different country when visiting here, which is amazing. Add this area to your itinerary the next time you visit Costa Rica!

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14 Epic Things To Do In Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica

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Cahuita National Park Snorkeling Tour

Cahuita National Park Snorkeling Tour

  • Destinations
  • Things to do

Cahuita National Park has spectacular, clear water during the dry season, with lots of marine wildlife for you to meet. This park only allows you to go snorkeling under the supervision of a guide, which helps keep the environment in tip-top shape and the water uncrowded. Sea turtles are one of the highlights of this tour, but you’ll also be able to see sea sponges, mollusks, dolphins, sharks, and lobsters.

Your tour begins at the “Surf the Jungle” office in Puerto Viejo, and then make your way to the coast of Cahuita National Park. Then you’ll board your boat and make your way to a good spot for snorkeling. Besides insight into the ecology, your guide will also provide the equipment.

Attraction Visited

Cahuita National Park

At 2,711 acres (1,097 ha), Cahuita National Park is small in size compared to its counterparts, yet up to par in terms of its animal, plant, and marine biodiversity. The park is much more regarded for its underwater portion than it is for its land attractions, which are certainly stunning in their own right. This national park enables visitors the ability to explore Cahuita's aquamarine costal waters complete with Costa Rica's largest costal reef.

Read more: Cahuita National Park

What to Bring

Bathing suit, towel, sunscreen, sandals, and sunglasses.

What's included

Guide, equipment and a fruit snack.

Transportation

Many of our tours and activities offer transportation pick up & drop off options from several locations and destinations. Options vary by tour, see “BOOKING REQUEST” for full details.

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Cahuita National Park & Tortuguero Canal

  • INFORMATION

Puerto Limon one day tour Cahuita National Park & Tortuguero Canal

*FULL REFUND POLICIES IF TOUR IS CANCELLED, COVID SITUATION OR SHIP MISS PORT*

If your ship arrives after 8:00 AM, the PickUp will be 9:00 AM or 30 minutes after ship arrival. You can book your tour and we will adjust the time

The our Puerto Limon one day tour to Cahuita National Park & Tortuguero Canal   begins at port where you hop on an air-conditioned motor coach for a 20 minutes’ drive along scenic roads, passing quaint villages on your way to Moin where the Tortuguero Canals begins. Known as Costa Rica’s Amazon because of its surrounding rain forest, the Tortuguero Canal region is rich with exotic flora and fauna. 

Board your covered boat for a leisurely cruise through the Tortuguero  Canals. Your guide explains the rain forest eco-system and points out sights of interest. Keep an eye out for wildlife including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, bats, aquatic birds, iguanas and crocodiles as well as exotic flora. 

At the end of your cruise, board your waiting transportation for the transfer to Cahuita National Park, where an interesting nature walk and visit into the rain forest awaits for you. 

Cahuita, from the indigenous worlds kawe or mahogany and ta or point, was created in 1970 to protect the country’s largest coral reef. One hundred twenty-three species of fish have been listed here, along with a variety of corals and other invertebrates. The park also protects an example of tropical moist forest, along with swamps forest and marshland. Cahuita is a perfect place for those who want to enjoy a beautiful tropical beach, the rain forest and abundant wildlife. Upon arrival to Cahuita Town, we will get into the park for a 45 minutes nature walk for enjoy the rich biodiversity of the area, along a flat and shady trail that runs along the shoreline. Monkeys, Sloths, Iguanas, Toucans, Colourful Frogs and many other species are very common to see during this tour. This is a very easy walk for all, from kids to seniors.

After the Puerto Limon one day tour Cahuita National Park & Tortuguero Canal, enjoy the picturesque local small bars and restaurants, where you can enjoy a Caribbean dish or taste the most famous local beer Imperial.

On the way back to the pier, a short stop will be made at some local souvenir stores in case you want to purchase a souvenir.

Note: All our Puerto Limon one day tours have 8:00 AM as departure time. However, if your ship arrives at 8:00 AM, we will move the Pick Up time to 9:00 AM. For ships arriving late, we will adjust and confirm by email.

Greenway Nature Tours is a Certified Travel Agency and Tour Operator by the Costa Rican Tourist Board with special certification in Sustainable Travel (CST) . We offer about 8 different Puerto Limon shore excursions.

Start planning your Puerto Limon Shore Excursions today. Email us

Price – Shore Excursions

Puerto limon one day tour, destination, departure time, return time, what´s to bring, not included, from our gallery.

Enjoy some beautiful pictures about what to expect if you book this tour with us

Limon Costa Rica Shore Excursions. Cahuita Park Tour by Greenway Tours

Pick Up Time - 8:00am from the pier (9:00 am if ship arrives by 8:00 am)

  • Meet our Naturalist Tour Guide and Deluxe Transportation from the pier
  • Drive to Cahuita National Park. Coastal Drive & Sightseeing Tour

Cahuita National Park Nature Walk - 9:00am

  • Start a nature walk with our tour naturalist tour guide along the Cahuita Trails

Visit the Souvenir Stores - 11:00 am

  • Stop at a nice souvenir store and get that special souvenir from Puerto Limon

Tortuguero Canal Boat Tour - 11:30 am

  • Enjoy a Boat Tour and wildlife watching with our naturalist tour guide.

Fruit´s Snack - 12:30pm

  • After the boat tour, enjoy a fresh fruits snack

Return to the Pier & Ship - 1:00 pm

  • After an amazing cultural and natural experience, return to the ship

Limon Costa Rica Shore Excursions. Cahuita Park Tour by Greenway Tours

Reviews Scores and Score Breakdown

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cahuita tours office

Great overview of the City This was a very broad overview of Costa Rica it was just enough to give you an appreciation for the diversity of this lovely country. It would be nice to have much more time at each location but the cruise ships just dont stay there long enough. Greenway we need to go back on our own just to visit longer.

June 8, 2020 at 9:16 pm

Grace young.

Very Nice Tour We enjoyed our tour and had a wonderful guide. Would recommend. Saw alot of the sites of Costa Rica. Nice clean bus and people there are wonderful.

June 8, 2020 at 9:17 pm

Michael hill.

Compressed but informative The jungle walk was great. We saw small and large, from spiders and ants to sloths. Lunch was classic Costa Rican. The water cruise was ok, and our guide and driver did a good job of bringing the boat into good positions so that each person got good views. We also got a bus-window view of the Caribbean coat area, with a good monologue. It was compressed but we felt like we got a good flavor of the Puerto Limon area. Thanks!

Lucas Wright

the best stop on our trip this is by far the best excursion we had on our trip…. the tour guide took us to a zoo in which you actually get in the spacious living environment with the animals. HIGHLY RECOMMEND this tour

June 8, 2020 at 9:18 pm

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Costa Rica Experts

Snorkel & Hike Cahuita National Park

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Home » Tours » Snorkel & Hike Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park is a nature lover’s playground full of land and sea adventures. Start your adventure at the beach, climbing on board the boat for a ride out to the local coral reef. You will then have roughly 2 hours in two different parts of the national park to snorkel in the ocean, depending on the weather. After, fuel up with tropical fruit on the beach before heading out on a hike through the coastal rainforest. Since the park is home to an abundance of diverse wildlife, chances are good that you’ll spot monkeys, tropical birds, sloths, iguanas, poisonous dart frogs, and other interesting creatures.

  • Duration: half-day, departs in the morning and returns in time for lunch
  • Difficulty Level: easy/moderate, be prepared to board the boat from the beach in knee-high water
  • Includes: transfers, guide, entrance, equipment
  • What to Bring: Swimwear, sunscreen, hat or bandana, secure shoes or sandals, towel
  • Tour Type: active, nature

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Cahuita Costa Rica: Caribbean Beach Town Guide

A beautiful Caribbean beach town and home to an amazing national park

Cahuita Costa Rica: Caribbean Beach Town Guide

The Cahuita Costa Rica Vibes

Cahuita is located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica.

We love this area because of the cool vibe and because the Caribbean Sea side of Costa Rica typically has far fewer tourists than the Pacific coast.

Cahuita is a fairly small town, but it the perfect place to spend a few relaxing days. It has a Afro Caribbean vibe, tons of delicious Caribbean cuisine restaurants, beautiful beaches, and an amazing national park.

Don’t tell the rest of Costa Rica, but this is one of our top five spots in the country.

Background Info About Cahuita Costa Rica

Nearest international airport.

Juan Santamaria International Airport in San Jose

Popular Things to Do

relaxing at the beach, hiking in Cahuita National Park

Best Way to Get Around

Rental car , tours with transportation included, walking in the downtown area

Best Time of Year to Visit

Dry season is from August until December

Grocery Stores

I like the Super Vaz #2 which is located next to the entrance of the national park

ATM’s

There is a Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) located within walking distance of the downtown area.

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We met in Virginia, moved to Germany, and have called sunny Costa Rica home since 2016.

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cahuita national park

Map Of Cahuita

Cahuita is a small beach town located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. If you are planning to travel to Panama, Cahuita is a good place to stop before crossing the border.

Flights to Costa Rica

Montezuma is great because it is easily accessible from the Liberia airport and the San Jose airport. 

More and more airlines are starting service to Liberia so check out the rates. It may be worth it for you.

If you haven’t booked your flight yet, we suggest using Skyscanner . We consistently find the best rates through their website.

Driving to Cahuita From San Jose

Our favorite option is to rent a car and drive to Cahuita on your own. The drive is not too bad for first-time Costa Rica drivers.

In the beginning of your trip, you will have to do a little driving through San Jose though which can be a bit daunting and stressful.

After making it through San Jose you will drive through Braulio Carillo national park which is really pretty. The roads are well maintained here but there are a lot of curves in spots.

However, there has been a lot of road work here recently (they are widening the road so I doubt it will be over anytime soon) and there have been a lot of major backups.

Cahuita Costa Rica: Caribbean Beach Town Guide

Adobe Rent-a-Car

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From there you follow a straight road to Limon and then drive down the coast. I absolutely love the drive along the coast. The roads are in good condition and it’s absolutely beautiful.

You do not need a 4×4 for this route, but you might want something with a bit of power while driving through the national park.

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Private Shuttle to Cahuita

Adobe has a private shuttle company and they are great! 

Their experience certified driver can pick you up anywhere in the country and take you along Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast to your hotel in Cahuita.You can get a private shuttle price quote here .

Public Bus to Cahuita Costa Rica

If coming from San Jose you can take the public bus from Mepe. You can see a complete time schedule here .

The ride will take you about four hours and will cost about $14 per person for one way.

The buses are surprisingly comfortable. The bus stops in Limon (about two and half hours into the drive) for a snack and bathroom break. There is no bathroom on the bus.

cahuita national park

Transportation In Cahuita

Downtown Cahuita is a small area and easy to explore by foot. The national park is also located right off of the main downtown area.

If you would like to explore other places nearby you can take a taxi or rent a car for a day. 

Adobe, our favorite rental car company has an office in Puerto Viejo and they will deliver your car to your hotel for free within 12 miles of their office. I just checked, and their office is exactly 10.5 miles from downtown Cahuita. Yeay!

Pro Tip: We have partnered with Adobe to give our readers a 10% discount on your rental car.

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Cahuita Costa Rica: Caribbean Beach Town Guide

Cahuita Costa Rica Weather

Here, the rainy season runs from mid-December until end of July. I know, that sounds like a whole lot of rainy time, but let me explain.

Although it can be rainy, you just never really know. We have visited in January and had amazing weather. We have also visited in January and had total washout days.

One thing we have noticed though is that usually when it rains, it at least rains at night. Daytime rainstorms don’t happen that often. Also, the temperature stays fairly warm even when raining.

Another weird thing, July is the rainiest month to visit Cahuita, but come August, it almost completely dries up.

You just never know in this country!

During the dry months the weather is amazing and warm!

Things to Do in Cahuita Costa Rica

Visit cahuita national park.

Exploring Cahuita National Park is our favorite national park in all of Costa Rica. It is seriously amazing!

Here you can enjoy an abundance of wildlife and Playa Blanca, a beautiful white sand beach.

You can read our full guide to the park here .

Go Snorkeling

In Cahuita National Park there are protected coral reefs. It is possible to take a snorkel trip to explore these amazing reefs.

We suggest asking your hotel to set this up. Many hotels partner with local companies and can get you the best deal.  

Watch the Sunrise

Wake up at 5 am and head to the beach for a beautiful and peaceful sunrise experience.

Check out the Shops in Downtown Cahuita

During your visit to Cahuita Costa Rica, there are some cute artsy shops you can explore in the downtown area. This is a great place to buy souvenirs.

Visit the Sloth Sanctuary

The Sloth Sanctuary is the place to got if you’ve ever wanted a close-up encounter with sloths. The Sloth Sanctuary works hard to protect sloths that have been injured or have previously been taken in as pets. A lot of these animals will be unable to be reintroduced to the wild, but they are kept safe at this sanctuary.  

Check out Nearby Puerto Viejo

Puerto Viejo is really close to Cahuita and also has a Caribbean feel to it. If you’d like to know about Puerto Viejo, head on over to our Puerto Viejo page .

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Are you stressed about planning the perfect vacation to Costa Rica?

Have no fear! We are here to help. Check out our FREE Ultimate Costa Rica Planning E-Book that is jam-packed with must know travel info

Cahuita Restaurants

Pizzeria Cahuita : If you are tired of eating traditional Costa Rican food every day, head here! You won’t be disappointed. Their pizza is excellent, but personally I’m in love with their spinach ravioli.

Sobre las Olas : If you are looking for a good seafood or fish dinner, this is the perfect spot.

From the outside, it doesn’t look like much, but head around back and you’ll be pleasantly surprised y the tables set up along the water.

We suggest getting there early (around 5pm) to claim one of the good tables and enjoy the nice waterfront view.

Also, be sure to bring bug spray because it gets rather buggy once the sun goes down.

El Rincon del Amor – A great spot for fresh and delicious Caribbean food. This is a good place to go for a nice dinner.

Aroma Coffee – My new favorite breakfast and lunch spot in Cahuita. They have excellent fresh everything. They make amazing smoothies and coffee drinks as well. Oh, and try to save room for dessert!

Budget-Friendly

Cafe Coral – A delicious place for breakfast. Everything is good here. 

cahuita national park

Cahuita Costa Rica Hotels

There are actually a wide variety of hotels in Cahuita that you can stay at for a decent rate.

We like to stay at the hotels on Playa Negra, just north of town, but this does mean you need a car or need to walk about 20 minutes to get to the populated downtown area.

High-End Hotels

Topos Tree House – If you have ever wanted to stay in your own private treehouse, this is the place to do it! Just note that it does book out fast, so reserve way in advance!

Mid-Range Hotels

Hotel El Encanto – One of our fave places in Cahuita! The rooms are really nice, the pools are great, and the staff is the best. 

Budget Hotels

Cabinas Nirvana-  Super cute rustic place hidden in the woods. This was perfect for when we were traveling with my family and wanted a big cabin we could all share at a decent price.

Cabinas Palmer Makanda – Basic rooms but includes a shared kitchen and is located right near the downtown area. They have shared dorms and private rooms available. 

Cabinas Algebra-   Basic cabins close to the beach. 

Cabinas Tito-   Great cabins close to the beach and downtown area. Breakfast is not included, but there are plenty of great places nearby.

cahuita sunrise

Vacation Rentals in Cahuita

We always love renting a home or villa for our vacation in Costa Rica. This gives you more privacy and allows you the flexibility to cook your own meals.

Note: We try to only ever suggest places with good cancellation policies, but always double-check before booking.

Beach Villa – A simple two bedroom house that can sleep up to five guests. This home is located steps away from the beach. I suggest it for a family that would like an affordable place to stay with privacy and your own kitchen.

Casa Magdalena – A three bedroom home that accommodates 7 guests. This home has a simple rustic interior and a pool. 

La Casa del Mango – A luxury four bedroom home that can sleep 8 guests. I love the private pool and roof top terrace.

Lilan Nature – This home is in a complex with other rental homes. There is a shared pool and shared tennis courts. We like the minimalistic modern style of this two bedroom home. 

Cahuita Costa Rica: Caribbean Beach Town Guide

Group Tours to the Cahuita Area

Take the planning, stress, and guess work out of traveling by booking a multi-day tour with an experienced guide.

For more tour ideas check out Tour Radar . 

Costa Rica See and Do it ALL

An interesting and unique way to see the country…by bike! Visit Manuel Antonio, Osa Peninsula, San Gerardo, Cahuita, Tortuguero, and the La Fortuna area.

Cahuita Travel Tips

If you are debating between visiting Cahuita and Puerto Viejo, we suggest Cahuita for a more relaxed atmosphere.

If you are interested in a good nightlife scene, more stores, and overall more action, Puerto Viejo is a better town to stay in.

Packing for Cahuita Costa Rica

In Cahuita we tend to alternate between two types of clothing, beach gear and hiking clothes for the national park. 

We really like Keen waterproof shoes for the national park here because there are a few places in your hike which involve river crossings. It is nice to have shoes on that can get wet.

There is never really a need here to dress nicely. A light sundress or shorts and a shirt would be fine for a dinner out.

Check out our Cahuita Packing List on Amazon for all the essentials. 

Cahuita Costa Rica FAQ

Where is cahuita costa rica.

Cahuita Costa Rica is located on the Caribbean coast near the Panama border. It is located just north of the popular backpacking town, Puerto Viejo.

How far is Cahuita from San Jose?

From San Jose it will take about three to four hours to drive to Cahuita. The driving time depends on if you get stuck behind large trucks going to Puerto Limon for exports.

Is Cahuita Costa Rica worth visiting?

Yes, definitely. Cahuita is home to Cahuita National Park which has an abundance of wildlife and is less crowded than many of the national parks on the Pacific Coast.

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You Might Also Like Visiting

Tortuguero : A relaxed village that is only accessible by boat. This is a great place to stay for wildlife canoe rides and seeing turtles nesting

Manzanillo : a small relaxed beach village near the border of Panama and Costa Rica

Puerto Viejo : A popular Caribbean coast town with backpackers. This town is great for surfing, yoga, and nightlife.

….if none of those appeal to you, check out our  Guide to the Caribbean Coast  for more ideas of places to visit in this area.

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On request, for groups, we organize trekking tours all over Costa Rica.

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WATERFALL TOUR

  PRICE: $80 +tax  

LENGTH: 6 HRS

INCLUDED: ​

FRUIT SNACK

3 WATERFALL DESTINATIONS

TRANSPORTATION (if needed)

WHAT TO BRING:

INSECT REPELLENT

CLOTHES SUITABLE FOR HIKING

CHANGE OF CLOTHES

FOOTWEAR SUITABLE FOR HIKING (SMALL RIVER CROSSINGS INVOLVED)

A trip to Costa Rica is not complete without visiting one of the many breath-taking waterfalls. Join one of our local guides on this day long experience to three distinct waterfall locations that only the locals know! 

The day will start with meeting your guide at our office. From there you will head to the first waterfall destination which is the furthest hike of the day, around 45 minutes to the destination. Once we arrive you will have about an hour to relax, swim, and take photos. There will also be fresh fruit snack provided! 

Refuel with a traditional lunch before heading to our second destination.

Once you are refuelled, head to the second waterfall destination. First begin with fresh coconut water then take a short 10 minute hike to the falls. 

On  to the third and final waterfall destination that involves a short 15 minute hike. After enjoying the last destination you will be transported back to the original meeting location.

*Minimum 2 people per tour  

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Bri Bri Village

Free vacation planning.

The Bri Bri Village Tour will transport you to a place where time has barely altered ancient traditions. This captivating experience includes visiting two indigenous families living in separate villages within two different reserves. Each family will delight in showing you their way of life and sharing their customs with you. The first family will surprise you with their passion for iguanas. The second will take you on a tour of a self sustaining farm where you will have the added benefit of learning all about chocolate cultivation.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Cahuita or Pueto Viejo and driven to the Bri Bri reservation approximately a half hour from Puerto Viejo. With your specialized bilingual guide you will visit your first family and their unique iguana farm. When they began to notice the disappearance of the iguana population due to over hunting, they decided to create a habitat for farm raising the endangered iguanas. Over time they have successfully reintroduced thousands of iguanas back into their natural tropical rainforest habitat. You will see how the farm operates from eggs to maturity working to maintain the iguanas’ rightful place in the forest.

Located just north of the Panama border in Limon Province, the Bri Bri reservation is home to one of Costa Rica’s approximate eight indigenous tribes. Many are believed to be descendants of the Mayan civilization. Most speak Spanish yet some continue to speak the original Bri Bri language as well. The villages typically have running water, but electricity is scarce. Living in relative isolation has enabled the Bri Bri to maintain their culture, largely unaffected by the outside world. Not only do they grow their own food and housing materials, but prepare their own medicines from the land. What they cannot grow, they attain by bartering or selling goods to the tourists.

After leaving the first farm you will continue on to a second family living in a different Bri Bri reservation. Here you will see for yourself how the Bri Bri grow cacao, bananas, oranges and plantains which they sell to provide for their families. Other produce grown in this area includes rice, beans, corn and other native crops that they grow to eat. These highly successful self sufficient people believe in the old ways of listening to and respecting the balance of nature.

One of their most sacred beliefs is that chocolate, from the cacao plant, is a divine gift which they use for natural medicine and purification rituals as well as for a source of food. On this part of the tour you’ll be shown their natural farming techniques and taken on a very special journey showing the process of growing and cultivating cacao and turning it into chocolate. You’ll learn their various uses and be invited to sample the tasty results!

You’ll also be taken to a magnificent waterfall where you will have the option to go swimming in a beautiful grotto deep in the rainforest jungle. Be sure to pack your bathing suit. Fresh fruit and water will be provided as refreshments. You’ll want to be sure to bring your camera along to record so many interesting people and places.

This tour is a chance of a lifetime to see a lifestyle that you’ll likely not soon forget. Visiting the Bri Bri Villages makes for an exciting and memorable experience as you delve into a world that has changed very little over the centuries.

Before you return, a freshly grown typical lunch will be served to you consisting of: a meat choice, vegetable, beans and rice, salad, fried banana, coffee and dessert. Bottled water will be offered during the tour to help you stay hydrated, and a bilingual tour guide will assist you to ask any questions you may have. It is suggested you wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes plus bring: sun block, insect repellent, binoculars, camera, hat and rain gear.

What to Bring

  • Insect Repellent
  • Bathing Suit
  • And Rain Gear

Location and Availability

The Bri Bri Village is available from Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Punta Uva

  • Learning Family

Cancellation Policy

Bri Bri Village: Cancellation Policy

Latitude: N 9° 37' 37.75" Longitude: W 82° 50' 40.08"

  • Overall 93.5% (15 Guest Ratings)
  • Experience: 94%
  • Expectations: 94%
  • Guides: 96.7%
  • Logistics: 89.3%
  • Value: 95.3%

Same restaurant, but a better experience this go around... still would prefer to meet at a different restaurant.

Amazing. I encourage anyone traveling to seek out an experience like this. So grateful for the last minute booking.

This was a great tour, the best of the trip. Our guide was knowledgeable about the village, and the people from the village were so interesting despite our language issues were able to be informative. Making the chocolate was the best, but we learned alot about the village, loved the waterfall and feeding the iguanas too. I was the most apprehensive about this tour and it turned out to be the best!

We were late being picked up. We had to hang around at the office for 40 + minutes before we got away on the tour. Lunch was late being served and by the time we got back from our half day tour it was after 4pm

Due to rain it seemed the snorkelling tours would come with us so we were held up while that was sorted which I wasn't thrilled about. In the end it was just us so that was great. The tour was excellent.

A very knowledgeable guide (Antonio), and demonstrations of chocolate making and use of indigenous plants very interesting.

Our guide, Edder, was great. This was a terrific tour.

cahuita tours office

cahuita tours office

GREEN CAHUITA

Discover with us the wonders that the caribbean has to offer, green cahuita is a local company in the south caribbean of costa rica that works through ecotourism to teach the tourist attractions of the area, create a direct interaction between the local and the visitor, and accompany the community in its sustainable development..

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Snorkeling & Surf

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Tours & Activities

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Packages & Retreats

Very nice tours and so much fun, vanessa ferland-berry.

Boucherville @ Canadá

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Willie's Tours CR

Most Popular Discount Day Tours & Best Prices and ECO-ADVENTURE & OVER NIGHT FAMILY ACTIVITIES

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San Jose Int' Airport to Uvita & Dominical, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $245

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Monteverde to Tamarindo/Playas del Coco: Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $280

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Liberia Internat´l Airport to Monteverde: Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $280

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Puerto Limon Airport to Puerto Viejo, Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $80

Puerto limon airport to cahuita, inbound/outbound private shuttle $70.

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Juan Santamaria Airport/San Jose to Liberia, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $240

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Juan Santamaria Airport/San Jose to Tamarindo & Playas del Coco Beach, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $255

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Rio Celeste, Sloth Rescue Center & River Tubing Day Tour

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Jaco Beach to La Fortuna - Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $230

Manuel antonio, quepos to la fortuna - inbound & outbound private shuttle $315, samara, nosara to la fortuna - inbound & outbound private shuttle $295.

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Manuel Antonio Day Tour from San Jose, Alajuela, Heredia

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La Fortuna, La Paz Waterfall & Arenal Volcano, The Volcanic Trail

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Liberia International Airport to Nosara Beach: Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $210

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Liberia International Airport to Samara Beach: Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $170

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Liberia International Airport to Tamarindo Beach: Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $135

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Liberia International Airport to Playa del Coco: Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $85

Tamarindo beach to liberia international airport: inbound/outbound private shuttle $135, juan santamaria int' airport/san jose to samara & nosara beach, inbound & outbound private shuttle $290.

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Poas Volcano National Park, La Paz Waterfall & Coffee Plantation, The Rainforest Trail

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Juan Santamaria Int' Airport/San Jose to Manuel Antonio & Quepos, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $235

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Juan Santamaria Int' Airport/San Jose to Jaco Beach, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $165

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Juan Santamaria Int' Airport/San Jose, to Cahuita/Puerto Viejo, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $280

Samara, nosara to la fortuna - inbound & outbound private shuttle $245.

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Liberia International Airport to La Fortuna: Inbound/Outbound Shuttle $185

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Juan Santamaria Int'l Airport/San Jose to Puerto Viejo/Cahuita, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $280

La fortuna-monteverde, taxi, boat, taxi inbound-outbound shuttle $55.

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San Jose International Airport to La Fortuna, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $199

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La Fortuna to Puerto Viejo & Cahuita - Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $395

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Vacation Home Rental, La Fortuna/Arenal Volcano National Park

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Tamarindo, Playas del Coco Beach to La Fortuna-Outbound/Inbound Private Shuttle $275

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Bribri Indigenous Village, Chocolate Tour & Medicinal Plants

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Puerto Limon Cruise Ship Day Tour, Jaguar Rescue Center, Tortuguero Rainforest Wildlife Boat Tour, Banana Plantation

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Bocas del Toro Islands, Panama 3 Nights/4 Days Package

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Bocas del Toro Islands, Panama 1 Night/2 Days Package

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Transfer to Tortuguero National Park from/to San Jose Inbound/Outbound - River Boat  Shuttle to La Pavona Harbor

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Transfer to & from La Fortuna/Arenal NP to & from Tortuguero National Park - River Boat  Shuttle from/to La Pavona Harbor

cahuita tours office

Transfer to & from Tortuguero National Park to La Fortuna/Arenal NP - Boat  Shuttle from La Pavona Harbor

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Cahuita to Tortuguero National Park - River Boat  Shuttle to the “Costa Rica's Amazon''

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Tortuguero National Park Boat Shuttle to/from Moin Harbor - Inbound/Outbound River Boat Shuttle to the “Costa Rica's Amazon”

Tortuguero national park to/from puerto viejo - river boat  shuttle to the “costa rica's amazon”.

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Puerto Limón Cruise Ship Shore Day Tour, 6 in 1 Costa Rica: Sun & Beach, Cahuita National Park Wild Life, Chocolate Tour, Fruit Tasting, Banana Plantation & Historical City Tour

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Puerto Limón Cruise Ship Shore Day Tour, Punta Uva Rainforest Mangrove River Kayak Tour & Cahuita National Park

Puerto limón cruise ship shore day tour, tortuguero rainforest wildlife tour, historical city tour & playa bonita.

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Puerto Limón Cruise Ship Shore Day Tour, Veragua Rainforest & Tortuguero Rainforest Wild Life

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Puerto Limón Cruise Ship Shore Day Tour, 5 in 1 Highlights of the Caribbean Region

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Tortuguero National Park to/from Cahuita - River Boat Shuttle to the “Costa Rica's Amazon”

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Tortuguero National Park 1 Night Package. Experience the Costa Rica's Amazon

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Tortuguero National Park 2 Nights. River Boat Inbound/Outnboud Transfer into Costa Rica's Amazon

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Tortuguero National Park Boat Shuttle Inbound/Outbound Transfer-San Jose, La Fortuna, Sarapiqui, Cahuita & Puerto Viejo

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Bocas del Toro Islands Daily Shuttle, Panama & Costa Rica, Inbound/Outbound/Cahuita & Puerto Viejo $35 pp

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Tortuguero Rainforest Wildlife Boat Tour & Historical Puerto Limón

cahuita tours office

Bocas del Toro Islands, Panama One Day Tour

Bocas del toro islands, panama 2 nights/3 days package.

cahuita tours office

Bribri Indigenous Village, Chocolate, Medicinal Plants Bioenergy Cleansing Ceremony

cahuita tours office

Hiking Tour in Cahuita National Park $27 pp

Bribri indigenous village, night magical plants sweat lodge cleasing ceremony - 1 nights/ 2 days.

cahuita tours office

Bribri Indigenous Village, Night Magical Plants Sweat Lodge Cleasing Ceremony - 2 Nights/ 3 Days Package

cahuita tours office

Kekoldi Bribri Indigenous Nature Reserve Rainforest Hike

cahuita tours office

Zip Lining in Costa Rica's Caribbean Jungle Hills

cahuita tours office

Night Tour In Cahuita Rainforest

cahuita tours office

Puerto Limón Cruise Ship Day Tour Adventure. Zip Lining, Tortuguero River Wildlife Boat Trip, Bonita Beach & Historical City Tour

cahuita tours office

Puerto Limon Cruise Ship Day Tour. Cahuita National Park Wildlife Reserve, Waterfall, Banana Plantation & Tropical Fruit Tasting

cahuita tours office

Puerto Limón Cruise Ship Shore Day Tours, 5 in 1: Historical City, Cahuita National Park, Tortuguero Wildlife, Bout Tour, Fruit Tasting & Banana Plantation

cahuita tours office

Irazu Volcano National Park & Orosi Valley, The Volcanic & Colonial Cartago Trail

cahuita tours office

Whitewater Rafting - 5 Stars World Class Pacuare River, Costa Rica's Top Eco/Adventure

cahuita tours office

Kayak in Punta Uva Mangrove Rainforest River Wildlife

cahuita tours office

Chocolate and Waterfall Tour, 2 in 1

Eco-adventure & over night famly activities.

cahuita tours office

Tortuguero National Park 1 Night/2 Days - River Boat into Costa Rica's Amazon

Transfers & shuttles.

cahuita tours office

San Jose, Airport to Puntarenas Ferry, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $155

cahuita tours office

Liberia International Airport to Dream Las Mareas: Inbound/Outbound Private Shuttle $170

cahuita tours office

Juan Santamaria Int' Airport-La Fortuna, Inbound & Outbound Private Shuttle $199

Puerto limon cruise ship day excursions, family activities and destinations.

Cachuita & Puerto Viejo

Eco Adventure & Wellness Travel

Why Choose Us?

Willie's tours cr, our mission, search tours, recommended lodging, calypso festival, tour reviews.

cahuita tours office

We visited Costa Rica by cruise ship and had booked the hike/snorkel excursion. Unfortunately the waters were to rough to snorkel but Jorge was able to give us a great experience. We took a leisurely hike in Cahuita National Park and were able to see monkey’s, sloths and other wildlife.

My wife and I were picked up at Willie’s by the Bribri guide and taken to his home, where four generations live. We crossed a suspension bridge to a thatched, bamboo-floored hut on stilts.

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  1. Paseos a Caballo

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  3. Tour de 7 horas al Parque Nacional Cahuita, Limón, Costa-Rica

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  5. hiking Tour at Cahuita National Park --- CAHUITA TOURS Costa Rica

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VIDEO

  1. Cahuita Butterfly Garden

  2. Cahuita National Park #costarica #Caribbean coast #

  3. Beautiful spot in Cahuita

  4. 2023 Cahuita, Costa Rica

  5. Cahuita Costa Rica beach is packed!!!

  6. National park Cahuita

COMMENTS

  1. cahuita

    Un lugar Maravilloso. En Cahuita podrás conocer las típicas construcciones caribeñas de múltiples colores, construidas sobre pilares, que le dan ese aspecto tan característico a un pueblo que resiste perder su identidad. Podrás degustar un Rice & Beans o un Rondón con sabor a coco, curry y chile picante, o disfrutar de un reggae y del ...

  2. THE 10 BEST Cahuita Tours & Excursions for 2024 (with Prices)

    25. Caribbean Costa Rica: 5-Day Tour with Tortuguero National Park and Puerto Viejo. 1. Eco Tours. 3+ days. Our eco experience begins on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, in wildlife-rich Tortuguero National Park, known as Costa…. Free cancellation. from. $1,180.

  3. Cahuita National Park

    The park has the support of guides and tour operators of the community who have been trained by the National Training Institute (INA) and are accredited by the Costa Rican Tourism Institute (ICT) to provide guidance and service to visitors. ... The name Cahuita comes from the terms "Kawe" which means "Sangrillo" (local tree) and "Ta" which ...

  4. 21 Things To KNOW Before Visiting Cahuita National Park

    The tour also includes a stop at Cahuita National Park before returning you back to your hotel. Departing at 8 am daily, the tour costs $120 USD per person. It is an excellent way to add a unique cultural experience to your visit to Cahuita National Park. You can book this tour here! Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon

  5. Cahuita National Park Tour

    The Cahuita National Park Tour is a wonderful hiking opportunity to comfortably explore both beach and a tropical rain forest found along the southernmost Caribbean shores of Costa Rica. This national park is part of the La Amistad Conservation Area which is a World Heritage site protecting the local tropical rain forests, beaches, and ...

  6. Snorkeling In Cahuita National Park & Coral Reef $35 pp

    Willie's Tour CR Office in Downtown Cahuita 400 meters from Cahuita National Park main entrance. DURATION: approx. 3h: DEPARTURE TIME: 8.30 am: INCLUDED: Boat transportation, Guide, equipment, fresh fruit on the beach. All clients have to come to our office at Willie's Tours CR, 400 meters from Cahuita National Park:

  7. Cahuita National Park

    Cahuita is a unique national park in Costa Rica because of its close relationship with the community. It's an example of shared management for sustainable development between the community and government. The participation of park rangers and community lifeguards stands out through shared governance and management. Discover the most preserved coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean and enjoy ...

  8. Cahuita National Park Costa Rica: All You Need to Know!

    This guided tour to Cahuita National Park includes a guided hike in the park with wildlife spotting and a trip to a hidden waterfall in Cahuita. ... We didn't snorkel in Cahuita but we heard that Willie's tours should be a good tourist office to book a snorkel tour. It will cost you $ 30/per person and a minimum of two people is mandatory ...

  9. 15 Amazing Things To Do in Cahuita, Costa Rica

    Puerto Viejo is located 15-20 minutes south of Cahuita and is the most popular town in the region. It has massively grown in popularity over the years and is big amongst backpackers. There are many things to do here and great areas to go surfing at. An easy and popular way to get around here is by bike.

  10. Cahuita National Park Hike and Bribri Waterfall 2024

    Take your adrenaline to the fullest with our Zipline tour! 72. from $72.00. Limon, Caribbean Coast. Hike Adventure in Cahuita National Park. 2. from $46.00. Limon, Caribbean Coast. Night tours at the Biological Station in Bri Bri.

  11. Things to do Cahuita Costa Rica

    Surrounding the town are beautiful white sand beaches, a black volcanic sand beach, an excellent surf break, and the beautiful Cahuita National Park with miles of protected living coral reef. Snorkeling, surfing, and swimming in these clear turquoise waters can't be beat. Ocean excursions offer tours for snorkeling, dolphin watching or fishing.

  12. Cahuita National Park Snorkeling Tour

    Available Days: Every day. Schedule: 8:00 AM. Inquire for Transportation. Mobile Ticket Included. Offered in English, Spanish. Your tour begins at the "Surf the Jungle" office in Puerto Viejo, and then make your way to the coast of Cahuita National Park. Then you'll board your boat and make your way to a good spot for snorkeling.

  13. Cahuita National Park & Tortuguero Canal

    Puerto Limon one day tour with our Cahuita Park & Tortuguero Canal boat tour. Enjoy nature at its best with this nature cruise tour during your port visit. [email protected] WhatsApp +(506) 8530 2973 Office (506) 22970889 San José, Costa Rica. Find Now. Packages; Tours; Shore Excursions. Puerto Limon Shore Excursions;

  14. Snorkel & Hike Cahuita National Park Tour

    Cahuita National Park is a nature lover's playground full of land and sea adventures. ... transportation, and tours to make your vacation hassle-free. Each of our 50+ itineraries can be purchased as-is or customized to fit your unique vacation style. ... COSTA RICA OFFICE. Barrio La California, Calles 27 & 29, Ave 2, Ed #2798 Oficina #8 San ...

  15. Night Tour In Cahuita Rainforest

    Night Tour In Cahuita Jungle Rainforest. Please make all reservations 24-48 hours in advance. To be advised regarding Method of Payments: All PayPal, Visa, Master Card and Maestro, a Costa Rica 13% IVA Sales Tax will be added to the service. ... Willie's Tour CR Office in Cahuita minimum 2 persons: DURATION: approx. 2.5h: DEPARTURE TIME: 6.30 ...

  16. Cahuita Costa Rica: Guide to A Stunning Caribbean Beach Town

    Adobe, our favorite rental car company has an office in Puerto Viejo and they will deliver your car to your hotel for free within 12 miles of their office. I just checked, and their office is exactly 10.5 miles from downtown Cahuita. ... Group Tours to the Cahuita Area. Take the planning, stress, and guess work out of traveling by booking a ...

  17. CONTACT

    Office Address Tour Guide Costa Rica is the Trade Name of [Entitiy, Licence Number]. The guides offer tours in the Province of Limon, among others in the lush Jungle and Rainforest of Bananito, the Cahuita National Park, and other worthwhile spots, for example, in the District of Talamanca.

  18. WATERFALL TOUR

    WATERFALL TOUR. PRICE: $80+tax. LENGTH: 6 HRS. INCLUDED: . WHAT TO BRING: A trip to Costa Rica is not complete without visiting one of the many breath-taking waterfalls. Join one of our local guides on this day long experience to three distinct waterfall locations that only the locals know!

  19. Bri Bri Village Tour

    The Bri Bri Village Tour will transport you to a place where time has barely altered ancient traditions. This captivating experience includes visiting two indigenous families living in separate villages within two different reserves. Each family will delight in showing you their way of life and sharing their customs with you.

  20. Green Cahuita

    2021-03-11. 2021-01-08. Tripadvisor rating score: 5 of 5, based on 11 reviews. Beach, Jungle & Wildlife.

  21. Willie's Tours CR

    ECO-ADVENTURE & OVER NIGHT FAMLY ACTIVITIES. 389.00. Bocas del Toro Islands, Panama 3 Nights/4 Days Please make. Tortuguero National Park 1 Night Package. Experience the Costa Rica's Amazon.

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