Cahuita is a small town located in the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. Cahuita features no more than two avenues and five roads that lead to the beach and its neighboring town of Puerto Viejo. The Cahuita National Park features 1,067 land hectares and 22.400 marine hectares including white sand beaches, tropical forest and turquoise waters. This National Park is one of the most important conservation areas in the country; it was created to protect the plants, fauna, coral reefs and many marine ecosystems and its amazing panoramic beauty.  Water sports are the main attraction of Cahuita. A great place to go surfing is Playa Negra, a black sand beach close to town. Blanca Beach is also a good option with white beaches and strong tides. Visitors can also visit Puerto Viejo, which is a small and colorful town located just half 1 hour away from Cahuita.

Things to do in Cahuita

Cahuita National Park
Beginning at the southern tip of Cahuita, the park spans nearly 55,000 acres of protected marine environments and land ecosystems and 600 acres of living coral reef in addition to its land coverage. Cahuita is one of two parks in the country that protects a coral reef. Expect hot and humid weather here all year long with the possibility of rain showers at virtually any time. There are plenty of activities in this park, including hiking, scuba diving, snorkeling, swimming and canoeing.

Snorkeling
The Cahuita National Park has abundant marine life, and is currently the best preserved of the Costa Rican Caribbean. You would enjoy watching the marine species; turtles, reef sharks, stingrays, lobsters, crustaceans, sea grass, live corals and of varied colors as well as multicolored fish and the beautiful views of the coastal area of the park.

Chocolate Tour
Visit a 100 year old cacao plantation in this unique tour in Cahuita. Learn about the history at the Afro-Caribbean Museum, where you can be part of a tasting of the grains in their different stages. You will also find a beautiful garden of heliconias, orchids and medicinal plants.

Cahuita tours to other destinations nearby

Visit to the town of Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is a popular tourist destination. It is known in the surfing community for having the largest and most powerful wave in Costa Rica, called “Salsa Brava”. It is also a site of beautiful beaches, such as Playa Chiquita, Playa Negra and Punta Uva, which are some of the most spectacular beaches in Costa Rica, which can be found between Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. Enjoy a local caribbean meal and the afro vibes of the area.

Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
The Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge offers many hiking trails that allow you to sample the different ecosystems of the area. The abundant vegetation of this coastal forest forms a biological corridor of great importance for the wildlife of the refuge. The area also offers many freshwater habitats, coral reefs and patches of primary forest.

Location and Map

It takes approximately 4 hours to drive from San Jose to Cahuita, Limon (200 kms /125 miles ). The roads are in good condition and fairly well signed.