Cahuita National Park
Cahuita National Park is located at the southern edge of the town Cahuita, along the southern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Here visitors will find a scenic park filled with white sanded beaches, coral reefs, and a couple sunken ships just off the coast for snorkelers and divers to explore. This park was established in 1970 and covers 2,635 acres of land and water.
Visitors can expect to see a wide variety of tropical fish and marine life while navigating the shipwrecks. Species include parrot fish, angelfish, lobsters, sponges, and seaweeds. You can rent snorkeling equipment in Cahuita or nearby Puerto Viejo, though a guide is strongly recommended to ensure not only that you are exposed to the best reefs but to ensure a safe experience as well. The waters can be dangerous even for swimmers of an experienced level. While navigating the reef, please keep in mind that a corals can be damaged simply by touch, so please do not disturb the reefs in any way. Glass bottomed boats are another way to take in the sights.
Visitors to Cahuita National Park can also explore the surrounding forest on hiking trails that start at Puerto Vargas and will lead you to Cahuita within hours. Along the way, you will see howler monkeys, white-faced capuchin monkeys, coatis, snakes, frogs, pacas, raccoons and armadillos.
Affordable hotels and restaurants are present in Cahuita. This town allows visitors to make a day trip to the national park and then come enjoy a Caribbean themed night life.
Cahuita National Park has two entrances with stations that are open from Tuesday–Friday, 8:00 am to 4:00 pm and Saturday-Sunday, 7:00 am to 5:00 pm. The fee of this park is 10USD.
The Southern Caribbean is a region of vast contrasts in weather. Temperatures remain the same nearly year round with average day time highs in the low 90s and night time lows in the upper 70s. Precipitation varies by month with the months of February, March, September and October being the driest.
Visitors should pack a bathing suit, towel, shorts, tee shirts, appropriate shoes, rain gear, sun block, and insect repellent.
Fun Fact: One of the shipwrecks of Cahuita National Park is rumored to have been involved with the transport of slaves during the 1800's.
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