Cahuita is a sleepy beach town on the Caribbean coast in the Limón province of Costa Rica. Learn what to know about a visit, in this complete visitor’s guide. The town is about 20 minutes north of Puerto Viejo and 40 minutes south of Limón. Town was officially created on February 19th, 1970, with Directo Ejecutivo 13. As of 2020, the population registers in at 13,022 inhabitants.
Cahuita protects 234.6 square kilometers (145.8 square miles) of tropical paradise. This quant beach community has an elevation of 4 meters (13 feet). It is the perfect destination for the laid-back traveler. Anyone that wants to get away from the crowds and busy restaurants of Costa Rica, will love it here.
Home to a diverse crowd, the largest population is the Afro-Caribbean Garifuna culture. There’s a strong mix of Latin American heritage, creating a diverse and unique culture. It’s kind of like being on an island in the Caribbean. There’s idyllic weather, bucket-list scenery, and laid-back beach vibes. Be sure to keep this in mind because island time, or Central American time, is a thing.
The remote nature of this sleepy village keeps it a little off the beaten track. Renowned for authentic culture, tourists will not find crowded restaurants or late-night clubs. There will be other tourists, but nothing like the bustling Puerto Viejo. Instead, you’ll find plenty of flair packed into a few blocks and secluded beaches.
Downtown
Downtown is a tiny grid, with excellent restaurants and a couple bars. There’s a handful of grocery shops, fruit stands, and a few surf shops sprinkled in. They have secluded beaches and quant lodging. It’s the perfect getaway destination. Visitors can escape into nature and reset while relaxing on a secluded beach. The bar named ‘Reggae Bar’ jams live music almost every night. For years it’s been a local joint with cold beer, decent food, and affordable prices.
Go for a hike in a National Park and follow it up with an afternoon swim. Go snorkeling or find a waterfall to cool off in. Soak up some wildlife, followed by soaking up authentic culture. There’s so much to do that Cahuita should keep nearly any traveler occupied during their visit. Get lost in the National Park, then return to stuff yourself with some desert crepes. Tour the town in search of variously prepared styles of chicken. Don’t forget to try the most famous style, jerk chicken.
Cahuita National Park
Cahuita National Park’s biodiversity is accessible by a short hike. The National Park covers more than 1,052 hectares (2,600 acres) on land. It protects another 22,258 hectares (55,000 acres) of ocean. The park protects several important ecosystems. Such as beaches, coral reefs, mangroves, and tropical lowland wetlands (or rainforest). In 1970, the government established the protected area. In 1978, they classified the region as a National Park.
If looking for a hike, then check out the eight-kilometer (five-mile) hike that begins in town. It stretches from one park entrance to the other. The path winds through beaches and rainforest. It begins at Kelly Creek Station in Cahuita village, winding to Puerto Vargas Station. There’s a donation box at both entrances, but there’s no admission fee to Cahuita National Park. It’s open from 6 am to 5 pm, seven days a week.
If visiting Cahuita, then always keep your eyes open for wildlife. It’s recommended to hire a private nature guide. Guides have spent much of their lives here. They have trained eyes for seeing a wide variety of the biodiversity. You’re likely to see more with a guide than on your own. I doubted this until going on a tour with one, it is mind blowing how much they see.
Cahuita National Park has more than 300 species of birds. Found among them are several species of rare herons and toucans. Even the rare Central American curassow lives there. They have tamanduas, coatis, howler, and white face capuchin monkeys. There’s armadillos, iguanas, and sloths too. Then, on the marine side there’re more than 135 species of fish and another 35 species of coral. Cahuita’s beaches are important nesting grounds for leatherback sea turtles too. Along with three other species, between March and July.
Climate Expectations
The climate around Cahuita is a Tropical climate with consistent temperatures year-round. The sun runs on a 12-hour cycle with little deviance from the 6 am sunrise and 6 pm sunset. It’s wet with rain most of the year, with dry months in February to March and again September through October. But do not trust the forecasts, as they’re often wrong. It’s common to be sunny in the morning with storms in the afternoon and sometimes a downpour in the evening.
Beaches
Cahuita has a handful of beaches. Playa Negra is a black sand beach that’s not as dark as the name suggests. This is the less visited of the two beaches and is a little north of town. The sand is a dark grey and on the lighter side of black. Playa Blanca is a little south of town in Cahuita National Park. It’s the more frequented of the two, with a cove, light tan sand, and strong rip currents.
Getting Here
Getting here is easy. Mepe busses leave from San José departing from Terminal del Caribe, between 6 am and 4 pm. Busses leave Cahuita for San José between 7 am and 430 pm. The busses between Cahuita and Puerto Viejo depart throughout the day. Find the best prices for busses in advance and plan your itinerary today through Busbud.
A rental car, and Google Maps, allow the most freedom. The best option is Nomad America’s 4×4 vehicles. Nomad America include everything you could need, including the things for camping. I cover Nomad America in depth with my article about the country’s capital, San José. If these don’t suit you, there are always local taxis, or an Uber, but those will be expensive.
Where to Stay
My friends and I stayed at a small campsite called Camping Maria, only a five-minute walk from Playa Negra. It’s a small camp site, with tent set ups in case you don’t have your own. It’s owned and run by a small family. The patron, and her daughter, are sweet ladies named Maria. There are a couple of rooms for rent as well, offered to those looking for a long-term rental.
Camping Maria offers an ocean side view. It’s a stone’s throw from all the amenities one could want. They have hot showers and two full kitchens. Guests can cook if they want. There are several coconut trees and Maria will help you cut down the fruit. She’ll even throw extras in the fridge for later. This way, there are cold coconuts any time they’re wanted! Camping costs 6,000 CRC ($9.47 USD) per person per night and was well worth the price. I’d 100% stay here again when I come back.
Book one of the handful of hostels in Cahuita through Hostelworld. Secret Garden is a popular backpacker accommodation. It’s not far from where busses drop off. Dormitories run at 5,806 CRC ($9.16) per person. For the best priced guest houses and cheap hotels, search through Booking.com.
Bribri Indigenous Community & Volio Falls
My group and I took one day to drive and visit the Bribri indigenous community. It’s a 14-kilometer (8.7-mile) drive south of Cahuita. A little outside of town is the Volio Waterfall. It’s a short drive past town and is best done with a 4×4 vehicle. The road includes three river crossings to find the closest parking spots.
Drive there by selecting the BriBri Waterfall on Google Maps. It’s deep in the Bribri Indian Reservation. This stunning waterfall cascades for 15 meters, into a swimmable pool. There’s a parking area with a sign, for paid parking along the way. Yet, with four-wheel drive you can past this for free parking much closer to the trailhead. Many sources recommend having a guide. Yet, my friends and I had zero issues following the trail to find the hidden waterfall, and we were not alone either.
Final Thoughts
We loved Cahuita. It’s a picturesque sleepy beach town with secluded beaches. It has fantastic access to nature, and an incredible National Park. Visitors can delve deep into both of Costa Rica’s marine and land ecosystems. This is a National Park that might be one of the most underrated in Costa Rica. It’s a destination that any traveler should take the time to visit. Escape from the country’s busy tourist centers and get off the beaten track. Melt deep into relaxation and see some of the country’s rarest flora and fauna. Don’t miss out and make your reservations today!
Quick Notes
- Cahuita National Park entrance is free, but they ask for donations to help run Park services
- Cahuita National Park Hours of Operation: 6 am to 5 pm seven days a week
- Playa Negra dark grey sand beach north of town
- Playa Blanca light tan sand beach south of town in the National Park
- Stay at Camping Maria for 6,000 CRC ($9.47 USD) per person per night
- Volio Waterfall 14 kilometers (8.7 miles) south of Cahuita (4×4 recommended)
