Caribbean
Cahuita
Coral reef, quiet beaches and Afro-Caribbean culture.
Reef, rainforest and Afro-Caribbean culture
Cahuita is a quiet village on the Southern Caribbean coast, with wooden houses, calypso music and some of the tastiest food in the country. Next to the village lies Cahuita National Park, which protects a rainforest trail by the sea and one of the most important coral reefs on the Caribbean coast.
Things to do
- Cahuita National Park trail: about 8 to 9 kilometers along the coast, between Kelly Creek and Puerto Vargas, with white-sand beaches. It is flat and easy. Sloths, howler monkeys, raccoons and birds are commonly seen.
- Reef snorkeling: corals, colorful fish and, with luck, turtles and rays. Inside the park it is only allowed with a guide.
- Playa Negra: a volcanic-sand beach north of the village, calm and great for sunsets.
- Caribbean food: rondón stew, rice and beans with coconut milk, pan bon and patí.
- Calypso and local culture: Cahuita is one of the places where Afro-Caribbean tradition is best preserved.
Before you go (important)
- The park has two entrances. At Kelly Creek, next to the village, admission is by donation, the only case like this in the country's parks. At Puerto Vargas there is a fixed fee.
- Bring water, sunscreen and lotion repellent: there is nowhere to buy them inside the park.
Tips
- For the full trail, enter at one end, exit at the other and return by taxi or bus.
- The Southern Caribbean sea is often calmest in September and October, when the rest of the country gets more rain.
- For more atmosphere and nightlife, Puerto Viejo is about 15 minutes away.
Getting there
Cahuita is about four hours from San José by road, via Limón. It pairs very well with Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero for a complete Caribbean trip.
Where to stay in Cahuita
Hostal Cahuita ★★
Budget · Shared pool, Wi-Fi
from $40 per night
Hotel Cahuita Boutique ★★★★
Comfort · Pool, Wi-Fi, Restaurant
from $90 per night
Cahuita Lodge & Spa ★★★★★
Premium · Spa, Pool, Restaurant, Transfers
from $180 per night
Things to do in Cahuita
- Reef snorkeling from $45 pp
- National park entrance (donation) from $5 pp
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Plan your trip
from $40 per night
Choose hotel, nights and activities; prices follow the season.
Best time to visit
September and October, and February to April; the Caribbean has a different climate from the Pacific