National park · Costa Rica
Cahuita National ParkParque Nacional Cahuita
Enter Cahuita National Park for a short boardwalk hike and reef snorkeling: buy a ticket at the gate and go early to avoid crowds.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
244 km² (94 sq mi)94 sq mi (244 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Feb–Apr
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 10Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) giv…
- Central America ↗Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras and Nicaragua (CA-4) give one shared entry allowance, usually 90 days in total; leaving for Belize, Costa Rica or Mexico and coming back does not always reset it — check with immigration before a long stay.
- Central America ↗Cross land borders in daylight and early in the day; many posts close or empty of transport by late afternoon, and the approaches are where robberies happen.
- Central America ↗Several borders charge entry, exit or municipal fees in US dollars (Belize exit, Nicaragua entry and exit, Honduras entry); carry small, clean US notes and ask for a receipt.
- Costa Rica ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Costa Rica's immigration authority (Migración) or a Costa Rican consulate; proof of onward travel is commonly required.
- Costa Rica ↗Rental cars require mandatory local liability insurance, often not included in online quotes: check the full price before booking.
- Costa Rica ↗Do not feed wildlife, including monkeys and coatis; it is illegal and harmful.
- Costa Rica ↗Buy national park tickets (Manuel Antonio, Poás, Irazú and others) online from SINAC before you go; several parks do not sell at the gate and cap daily numbers.
- Limón Province ↗Colones are the norm; cards work in Puerto Viejo and Cahuita hotels and larger restaurants, less so in Bribri and Sixaola. Carry cash for buses, taxis and sodas.
- Limón Province ↗Rain is possible any month. Pack a dry bag and expect short afternoon downpours rather than a dry season.
- Limón Province ↗The Sixaola crossing to Panama is a pedestrian bridge; have your onward ticket and exit stamp ready before you queue.
At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Area
- 244 km² (94 sq mi)94 sq mi (244 km²)
- ≈243.9 km² (24,392 ha); figures may vary by source.
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Feb–Apr
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Cahuita
Cahuita National Park protects a coastal rainforest and a coral reef, offering a short boardwalk trail through mangroves and easy snorkeling just offshore of the town of Cahuita.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
244 km² (94 sq mi)94 sq mi (244 km²) · national park since 1970
≈243.9 km² (24,392 ha); figures may vary by source.
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Cahuita.
Why go
- Coastal rainforest and a protected coral reef within a short walk from town.
- Boardwalk trail lets you see mangroves, wildlife and the reef without getting lost.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebBest
- MarBest
- AprBest
- MayCaution
- JunCaution
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepCaution
- OctGo
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanDry, cooler
- FebDry, sunny
- MarDry, warm
- AprEnd of dry season
- MayStart of rains
- JunRainy, higher humidity
- JulRainy, occasional storms
- AugRainy
- SepRainy, but fewer tourists
- OctRain tapering, still warm
- NovTransition to dry
- DecDry, cooler evenings
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monkeys, sloths, coatis, raccoonsAll year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| Reef fish, sea turtles (nesting season)Jun–Nov | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no |
| Snakes (eyelash viper, fer‑de‑lance)May–Oct | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From San José
Bus to Puerto Viejo, then local bus or taxi 15 km (9.3 mi) to park entrance.Bus to Puerto Viejo, then local bus or taxi 9.3 mi (15 km) to park entrance.
check
Open the page →
From Limón
Frequent buses to Cahuita; park gate 5 km (3.1 mi) south of town.Frequent buses to Cahuita; park gate 3.1 mi (5 km) south of town.
check
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Beach zone | White‑sand beaches, reef snorkeling, swimming. | Open; no fee beyond park entry. |
| Forest trail zone | 2.1 km (1.3 mi) boardwalk through mangroves and rainforest.1.3 mi (2.1 km) boardwalk through mangroves and rainforest. | Open; trail well marked. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates approximate; main entrance near Puerto Vargas sector.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | CRC 2,000–3,000 | person | check |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Guides
- Not required for the boardwalk, but optional for wildlife spotting.
- Fires
- Open fires prohibited.
- Litter
- Carry out all rubbish.
Where to stay
Near the park
Cahuita town
Hostels, cabins and small hotels within 5 km (3.1 mi) of the park gate.Hostels, cabins and small hotels within 3.1 mi (5 km) of the park gate.
Safety
Snakes medium
Heat and sun low
Nighttime jungle high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Boardwalk is flat and suitable for wheelchairs with assistance; some sections have boardwalk gaps.
Visiting lightly
- Use reef‑safe sunscreen; avoid touching corals.
- Support local guides for wildlife education.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Cahuita National Park?
Entry is about CRC 2,000–3,000 per person (2026 estimate). Purchase the ticket at the gate.
What are the best hikes in Cahuita National Park?
The 2.1 km boardwalk trail is the main hike; it’s flat, well‑marked and takes 1–2 hours.
When is the best time to visit Cahuita National Park?
February to April offers dry, sunny weather and fewer crowds; the reef is clear for snorkeling.
Can I camp in the park?
Camping is only permitted on Playa Negra for one night; no facilities are provided.
Do I need a guide?
A guide is not required for the boardwalk, but optional for wildlife spotting or reef tours.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
Ask about Cahuita National Park
Loading…
Was this useful?