Cahuita National Park and Snorkeling Combo

This is an opportunity to experience hiking at Cahuita National Park and snorkeling in the sparkling Caribbean combined in one tour. The national park is in the La Amistad Conservation Area which is on Costa Rica’s southernmost Caribbean coastline. It was established in 1982 in order to protect the rain forests, beaches, coral reefs, and their inhabitants. This is a tour that you will likely remember as this area has a diverse assortment of life in Central America.

The adventure begins with snorkeling at Cahuita National Park. The day starts with transportation from your hotel in Cahuita or Puerto Viejo and includes a bilingual guide who will escort you into the park. You will board a 12 person boat captained by a professional who will take you to the prime areas of the 600 acre coral reef around the park. Since the area is protected, this is the only way anyone can experience snorkeling here. Weather permitting, you can see over 35 coral species, many crustaceans, as well as hundreds of fish species, and shellfish. The tour includes all snorkeling equipment: mask, fins, and breathing tube. Lunch will also be provided for your group. This is approximately a 2 hour adventure that can offer you a lifetime of memories.

The second part of this tour is a hike through the National Park. This particular area is home to many rare and endangered species of animals including all the cats of Central America, the Ornate Spider Monkey, and Tapir. Your naturalist guide will point out any sloths, monkeys, iguanas, butterflies, and other wildlife living in the area. You will see rivers that have carved spectacular waterfalls into the mountainous landscapes. Your guide will take you to the best areas for photographs.

Come prepared to maximize this experience with your camera, binoculars, completely enclosed walking shoes, insect repellent, sunblock, rain gear, drinking water and snacks. You will want to have dry clothes to change into after snorkeling in your bathing suit.

This snorkeling and hiking tour includes a professional guide, transportation from Cahuita or Puerto Viejo, entrance to the park, and lunch. One way transportation to the park will take at least 15 minutes from the village of Cahuita, and up to 1 hour from Puerto Viejo. Combined time of tour, lunch and round trip transportation can take up to 8 hours. If the weather negatively affects the visibility underwater, the snorkeling portion of the tour may be canceled, and you will be refunded $10. The best months for the snorkeling tour are March, April, May, August, September, or October.