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Voykit pocket guide · Costa Rica
Cahuita
Spend 1–2 days in Cahuita for beach time and a walk in Cahuita National Park; add a half‑day trip to Puerto Viejo if you have extra time.
Cahuita is a small Caribbean town with two nearby beaches and a 9 km park trail. A morning at the park and an afternoon at Playa Negra fill a day; a second day lets you relax or visit nearby Puerto Viejo.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Best months
- Dec–Apr, Sep–Oct
- Avoid
- Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CRC
- Money
- Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.
- Daily spend
- Budget ₡3,000–5,000 excl. bed · Mid ₡5,000–8,000 excl. bed · High ₡8,000+ excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Kölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.
- Emergency
- Police 911 · Medical 911
- Plugs
- Types A, B · 120 V · 60 Hz · US-style plugs.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.; Guides: US$5–10 per person per tour.; Shuttle drivers: US$2–5.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.
- Toilets
- Western toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.
What things cost
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| Meal at a local restaurant | US$15–20 |
| Coffee | US$2–3 |
| Taxi from Limón to Cahuita | US$15 |
| Bus ticket San José → Cahuita | US$4 |
| Cahuita National Park donation | US$5 (≈ ₡3,000) |
Desk estimates, checked 2026-09; check locally.
Get in
By air
- LIO · Limón International Airport
- About 30 km (19 mi) north; taxi ≈ US$15About 19 mi (30 km) north; taxi ≈ US$15
Typical fares
- San José → Cahuita bus
- ≈ US$4 per person, 4 h travel (check)
- Bike rental
- ≈ US$5 per day
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Town is walkable; rent a bicycle for beach trips (≈ US$5 day). Buses run hourly along Route 36; taxis from Limón cost ~US$15.
See and do
Known for
- Cahuita National Park
- Playa Negra
- Playa Blanca
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Puerto Viejo de Talamanca | Bus from Cahuita station, about 30 min | ≈ 45 min total |
| Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary | Bus to Limón then local minibus 10 km (6.2 mi) northBus to Limón then local minibus 6.2 mi (10 km) north | ≈ 1 h 30 min |
Sleep
- El Encanto Bed & Breakfast
- Double US$60, 5 min walk from town centre
- Hotel Magellan Inn
- From US$50, near Playa Grande
- La Piscina Natural
- Double US$35, 2 km (1.2 mi) north, natural poolDouble US$35, 1.2 mi (2 km) north, natural pool
- Secret Garden Hostel
- US$9 per person, Dutch‑run, central
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedis‑kul‑pe |
| Thank you | Graciasgra‑see‑as |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?kwan‑to kwes‑ta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: 'Buenas' and a handshake; cheek kiss among friends; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Conflict: Stay polite and indirect; avoid: Raised voices
- Time: Be on time for tours; avoid: Expecting social events to start on time
- Nature: Stay on trails, keep quiet; avoid: Feeding animals
Scams and watch-outs
- Bus schedules change; confirm departure point in San José (often San Carlos terminal).
- Park entry is a donation; US$5 recommended, but ₡1,000–2,000 accepted.
Cahuita is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings on the beach and use reputable taxis.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Cahuita yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Cahuita National Park
- Playa Negra
- Playa Blanca
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikidata – Cahuita: www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456
- Wikivoyage: Cahuita, revision 5331423 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5331423
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/cahuita). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.