If you’re planning a vacation to Costa Rica, be sure to think about visiting the stunning Caribbean coast full of natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural experiences. Here is where you’ll find Cahuita National Park, which is the perfect place to soak in the beauty and laid-back vibes of the Caribbean side of Costa Rica!
This guide will share everything you need to know before visiting Cahuita National Park! Let’s go!
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Cahuita National Park Quick Facts
| Closest Towns: | You’ll find Cahuita National Park within the small town of Cahuita, which is great to explore itself. Also nearby you can visit the popular tourist destinations of Puerto Viejo, Manzanillo, or the indigenous Bribri community. |
| Entry Fee: | A good choice for budget travelers, the entry fee to Cahuita National Park from the Cahuita town entrance is donation-based. From the Puerto Vargas entrance, there is an entrance fee of $5 USD. Please still consider making a $5 donation to the park if you enter via the Cahuita town, because it helps maintain the beauty of the park. |
| Hours: | 8 AM to 4 PM daily, including holidays |
| Highlights: | There are opportunities in the park for swimming at the beach, hiking, and viewing diverse wildlife like monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and exotic birds. You can also arrange to snorkel among the coral reefs with a local guides, by arranging a tour in advance. |
Getting to Cahuita National Park:
There are a few ways to get to Cahuita National Park depending on the duration of your trip and which city you’re coming from. Let’s take at how to get to Cahuita National Park from San Jose, Puerto Viejo, and Cahuita.
From San Jose:
You can drive to the park from the capital city by driving along Route 32 from San Jose to Limón, then continuing south on Route 36 to Cahuita. You can also take the MEPE bus from San Jose to get there. The trip is approximately 4-5 hours and if you drive, you’ll want to use either Google Maps or Waze for navigation software.
From Puerto Viejo:
Head north on Route 36 from Puerto Viejo and drive for about 20 minutes to get to Cahuita National Park. You can also take the bus, go to the bus station in the center of Puerto Viejo to inquire about ticket prices and schedules (knowing decent Spanish is a must for this option).
From Cahuita:
Cahuita is a small town so you can easily access the park from the center of town by walking there on foot. Use Google Maps or Waze to determine the best route.
Should I book a Guided Tour?!
The truth is, without a nature guide, it can be really hard to spot the amazing wildlife the Caribean cost of Costa Rica is known for. Guides are skilled at finding wildlife you’ll probably miss on your own but also give you in-depth information about plants, animals, and local history.
That said, Cahuita National Park was a park I felt I got plenty of value from doing a self-guided tour. We even saw sloths in the almond trees along the side of the beach!
So the decision to book a guided tour (or not), is completely up to you! Both are excellent options.
Check out current pricing and availability of various guided tours here!
Top Guided Tours of Cahuita National Park
If interested, here are some of the highest rated guided tours to check out in Cahuita National Park. If not, just skip this section to check out things to do on your own!
1. Cultural and Wildlife Tour
Visit this biodiverse area of Costa Rica by doing a cruise of the Tortuguero Canals, hiking Cahuita National Park, and then visiting a banana plantation. The tour leaves from Limón and costs $99 per adult. You can book your ticket and check availability here!
2. Cahuita National Park Snorkeling Tour
Try snorkeling in the coral reefs around Cahuita National Park with a trained guide. If you’re lucky on the tour you can see one of the 240 marine species and wildlife that live here. The tour costs $90 per person (minimum of 2 persons) and lasts approximately 5 hours.
Check pricing and availability here!
3. Night Tour
Are you looking for a family friendly way to explore the Costa Rica jungle after dark? Much of the wildlife in Costa Rica is actually only active after the sun goes down! Try a nightwalk in the jungle of Cahuita, with the cost of $45 per person and a 50% discount for children under the age of 10.
4. Cahuita National Park & Waterfall Hike
This 4 hour guided tour takes you through the protected park area for a hike where you can also experience its white sand beaches and wildlife. After hiking about 2.5 km in Cahuita, the tour will bring you to a nearby waterfall where you can go for a swim! The cost is $73 per person and does include park entrance fees and a light snack.
Things to Do in Cahuita National Park
1. Hiking Trails
From the Cahuita National Park main entrance near the center of town, you’ll experience an easy hike through the forest, marshland, and beach and chances to see wildlife like monkeys, sloths, iguanas, and tropical birds.
2. Beaches
There are two beaches you can visit near Cahuita, Playa Blanca and Playa Vargas. The water is generally calm for swimming, but always be sure to check in advance with park staff to get any needed safety information.
3. Snorkeling
The Caribbean cost of Costa Rica is known for it’s incredible marine life. On a guided tour, you can snorkel in Cahuita and see coral reefs that may have colorful fish, sea turtles, or the occasional docile nurse shark.
4. Wildlife
In Cahuita National Park you can find diverse wildlife like howler monkeys, capuchin monkeys (the white-faced monkeys), sloths, iguanas, and bird species like macaws, toucans, and herons.
Places to Stay near Cahuita National Park
If you’re excited to visit Cahuita National Park, you may want to stay within walking distance in the town of Cahuita.
Or perhaps you’ll want to stay in the nearby town of Puerto Viejo that’s well known for it’s relaxed vibes, good food, and gorgeous beaches. Whether you decide to stay in Puerto Viejo or Cahuita, there will be somewhere great to stay according to your budget.
Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo:
- Hotel Banana Azul: This boutique hotel is right on the beach and best for travelers looking for mid-range priced accommodations with amenities like a pool, spa services and direct beach access. ($100-150/night)
- Le Caméléon Boutique Hotel: For a more luxury option, you’ll find Le Caméléon on the gorgeous Playa Cocles with access to their beach club, fine dining restaurant, and daily yoga classes. ($200-300/night)
- Rocking J’s: Lastly, if you’re a budget or backpack traveler you’ll likely be looking for a hostel with a fun, relaxed vibe like Rocking J’s! It has a shared kitchen and access to free Wi-Fi, making it the perfect place for digital nomads passing through. ($10-30/night)
Where to Stay in Cahuita:
- Hotel Suizo Loco Lodge: Located in tranquil Cahuita, you’ll find this nice boutique hotel that has access to a swimming pool, gardens, restaurant and bar. ($150-250/night)
- Play Negra Guesthouse: If you want to stay in a cozy bungalow with your own private patio, check out these charming accommodations across from Playa Negra (a black sand beach!). ($70-120/night)
- Cabinas Palmer Makanda: For a budget option in the town of Cahuita, you’ll find basic rooms with only the essentials here, but also a laid-back, homey feel. ($20-40/night)
Cahuita National Park FAQs
- How long should I spend in the park?
The amount of time you spend in Cahuita National Park all depends on the experience you want to have here. You might choose to spend only a half day walking the main trail, spying wildlife, and going for a quick swim.
Or, big nature enthusiasts might want to opt for a full day visit exploring the park’s hiking trails, swimming in the Atlantic ocean, and perhaps doing a snorkeling tour to appreciate the underwater beauty of the park’s coral reefs.
- Is there food available in the park?
There are no restaurants or food vendors inside the park, so you may want to bring your own snacks or sandwiches to eat at designated picnic areas (just remember anything you bring in with you to the park you also need to take out with you!).
The town of Cahuita is also just steps away from the park entrance where you can also find restaurants, cafes, and small shops.
Pro tip: look for Costa Rican “sodas” which offer home cooked, authentic Costa Rican food for a good price! It’s a great budget-friendly option in Costa Rica!
- What amenities are inside Cahuita National Park?
There are public restrooms available near the park entrances where you’ll also find information centers where you can receive a map of the park and information about the trails. You’ll also find designated picnic areas within the park along the main trail.
Is a Trip to Cahuita National Park worth it?
If you have a love for nature, an interest in seeing diverse wildlife, and enjoy the laid-back Caribbean vibes of the Eastern coast of Costa Rica, you’ll have an amazing time visiting Cahuita. The park’s easy walking trails and donation-based entrance fee make it a wonderful choice for families of all sizes and budgets. For sure it will be worth making the trip to Cahuita National Park on your visit to Costa Rica!
More Costa Rica Adventures!
Love nature, wildlife, and adventure? Here are some more Costa Rica adventures that you NEED to add to your bucket list!
- 1. Day Trip to Isla Tortuga
- 2. Hike to El Tigre Waterfalls
- 3. Best Zipline Tours in Monteverde
- 4. 3 Days in Monteverde Itinerary
Lindsay Gantz lives in Monteverde, Costa Rica with her husband who is Costa Rican. She helps visitors plan trips to Costa Rica and also organizes small group trips for solo female travelers. You can reach her on Instagram or by email at [email protected]
