Major city · 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.
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CRC
- Best months
- Dec–Apr, Sep–Oct
- avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season)
- Airport
- LIO
- Nights
- 1–2
Rules in force · 7Guatemala, 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.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Emergency numbers for Cahuita911 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Cahuita, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Costa Rican colón (CRC, ₡); US dollars are widely accepted in tourist areas, with change often given in colones.Costa Rica-wide
- SIM or eSIMKölbi, Claro and Liberty sell SIMs at SJO and in towns; passport required.Costa Rica-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most of the country, including San José; drink bottled on parts of the Caribbean coast and in remote areas.Costa Rica-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% service is in the bill; extra optional.Costa Rica-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets A/B. US/Canada (A/B): fits · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 120 V: UK and AU 230 V-only devices need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Costa Rica-wide
- SafetyCahuita is generally safe; keep an eye on belongings on the beach and use reputable taxis.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsWestern toilets; put paper in the bin in many places.Costa Rica-wide
- Emergency numbers911 police · 911 Medical
- Sundays & holidayscheckManuel Antonio closes on Tuesdays (check); Semana Santa Thursday–Friday shuts most businesses.Costa Rica-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportLIO Limón International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north; taxi ≈ US$15).LIO Limón International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north; taxi ≈ US$15).
- Getting aroundTown is walkable; rent a bicycle for beach trips (≈ US$5 day).
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeUS$2–3
- Taxi, about 5 km (3 mi)Taxi, about 3 mi (5 km)Taxi from Limón to CahuitaUS$15
- Budget bedHostel dorm bed, a night, per personCRC 1,500
- Mid-range bedDouble room (2 ppl), a night, per roomCRC 8,000
- High-end bedDouble room (2 ppl), a night, per roomCRC 12,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CRC 3,000 · Mid CRC 5,000 · High CRC 8,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- LIO Limón International Airport (About 30 km (19 mi) north; taxi ≈ US$15)LIO Limón International Airport (About 19 mi (30 km) north; taxi ≈ US$15)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Mar
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Apr
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
May
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jun
not flagged
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Jul
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Aug
Avoid
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
Sep
Best
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
Oct
Best
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Nov
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Dec
Best
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Best: Sep–Oct, Dec–Apr. Avoid: Jul–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest May (33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)), coolest Jan (22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C) low), wettest Jul (16 rain days), driest Jan (5). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Cahuita: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Feb
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
Mar
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
7 rd
Apr
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9 rd
May
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
12 rd
Jun
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
14 rd
Jul
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Aug
33°C (91°F)91°F (33°C)
25°C (77°F)77°F (25°C)
16 rd
Sep
32°C (90°F)90°F (32°C)
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
14 rd
Oct
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
10 rd
Nov
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
7 rd
Dec
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
22°C (72°F)72°F (22°C)
5 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting 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.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
goDoor to door: ≈ 45 min total
Bus from Cahuita station, about 30 min
Larger town with more restaurants and nightlife.
Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary
cautionDoor to door: ≈ 1 h 30 min
Bus to Limón then local minibus 10 km (6.2 mi) northBus to Limón then local minibus 6.2 mi (10 km) north
US$25 per person, tour 2 h, limited daily slots.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
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
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- ₡3,000–5,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- ₡5,000–8,000 excl. bed
- High
- ₡8,000+ excl. bed
Trip budget
| Double room (2 ppl)1 × 1 night × CRC 8,000 | CRC 8,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries2 × 1 day × CRC 5,000 | CRC 10,000 |
| Bus San José → Cahuita (one‑way)2 × CRC 4,000 · check | CRC 8,000 |
| Bike rental per day2 × CRC 1,500 · check | CRC 3,000 |
| eSIM data (1 week)2 × CRC 2,500 · check | CRC 5,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CRC 3,400 |
| Trip total≈ CRC 18,700 per person per day, bed included | CRC 37,400 |
2026 estimate in CRC; flights and long‑distance bus passes excluded.
Prices of common things
| 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) |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- 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.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 911
- Medical
- 911
Pocket card
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CahuitaCahuita
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police911
- Medical911
Embassy
US has an embassy in San José; consular services for Costa Rica are there.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- San José → Cahuita bus: ≈ US$4 per person, 4 h travel (check)
- Bike rental: ≈ US$5 per day
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (dis‑kul‑pe)
- Gracias — Thank you (gra‑see‑as)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (kwan‑to kwes‑ta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (don‑de es‑ta el ba‑nyo)
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Cahuita. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Dec–Apr, Sep–Oct · avoid Jul–Aug (rainy season) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 4 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a night in Puerto Viejo for a broader Caribbean experience.
- Consider a guided night walk in Cahuita National Park (check availability).
Sources
Ask about Cahuita
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