Cahuita in Costa Rica, an immersion in Caribbean atmosphere

Costa Rica is known worldwide for its rich fauna and flora, and during a trip to Costa Rica, the most sought-after activities are hikes and green safaris that allow you to discover the wonders of this country. Among all its lush forests, the country boasts an incredible number of volcanoes: 116, of which 5 are active. Let's remember that Costa Rica is a very small country, as big as Brittany and Normandy combined, yet it offers a multitude of things to see!

My favorite spot during my stay in Costa Rica was the village of Cahuita. I loved it and here's why!

The Caribbean Charm of Cahuita in Costa Rica

Cahuita is a small beachfront village located on the southern Caribbean coast. Its first inhabitants were Jamaicans, but today many expatriates have also settled there. The atmosphere is typically Caribbean: serene and relaxed. It's impossible to be stressed here; it's a real breath of fresh air.

The village center has become touristy. There are many hotels, small ones and larger ones on the outskirts. However, I recommend staying with locals (I stayed with a kind Costa Rican grandmother who took great care of me).
Numerous restaurants allow travelers to taste local food, often spicy. The two main restaurants in the town center face each other and compete with colorful and unusual decorations! These colors made me want to eat there, and I was not disappointed!

Small trails lead from the town center to the surrounding beaches, "playa negra" on one side and "playa blanca" on the other, where everything is much quieter. In this town, there are very few cars because everything is accessible by foot or bicycle. It's also very easy to rent a bike for the day directly on site.

Cahuita National Park: Between Beach and Jungle

Most travelers come for the Cahuita National Park, open every day from 6 am to 5 pm.
The entrance is from the village of Cahuita. It is managed by a village volunteer who will give you a very nice map of the area and have you register your name and nationality in a large book.

The park is free (unlike many other national parks in Costa Rica), but it is highly recommended to make a donation of your chosen amount before starting your excursion. It is thanks to these donations that the community can continue to take care of the forest.

The Paradise Beaches

The park features white sand beaches (playa blanca and puerto vargas) with coconut trees leaning towards the sea, it's a paradise spot known for its coral reef, unfortunately now threatened.

Accompanied by a local guide, you can snorkel and observe the colorful fish. Swimming is allowed in certain areas, but be cautious of currents, which can be strong, especially during the rainy season.

The Tropical Forest

The tropical forest in the park is equally impressive with its lush flora and fauna. While enjoying the sounds of the jungle, from chirping crickets to howler monkeys' cries, you might encounter squirrels, raccoons, toucans, sloths, communities of hermit crabs, regular crabs, as well as many lizards along your path. Many animals are not shy, as they are used to visitors and do not run away.

Beware: raccoons are real little rascals with visitors who bring or eat food on site. So keep an eye out and don't leave anything behind or beyond arm's reach.

When to Visit Cahuita National Park?

I advise visiting the park early in the morning to maximize your chances of coming face-to-face with animals and to avoid the scorching midday heat.

For a large part of the park (as well as the last few kilometers), the trail runs on small boardwalks to avoid walking through the mangrove. It's really pleasant and you'll enjoy the coolness of the undergrowth. There are also rain shelters about every 500 meters, very handy during the rainy season.

Personally, I went there in early June during the rainy season: I only experienced a few drops which were welcome given the heat in the region.

What Activities to Do in Cahuita?

Snorkeling in the Park

It's a magnificent protected coral reef with over 100 varieties of fish and 33 coral species. The reef surrounds Playa Blanca and Puerto Vargas.
It's important to know that this reef is heavily threatened by pollution coming from river waters originating from banana plantations. In 1991, following an earthquake, parts of Costa Rica's coast rose by one meter in some places along Costa Rica's coasts. Some corals ended up exposed to air and did not survive this natural disaster.
For these reasons, if you wish to snorkel in Cahuita's coral zone, you must be accompanied by a certified Costa Rican guide. The cost ranges from $30 to $60; this money partly helps preserve the reef as well as the national park.

Surfing in Cahuita, Why Not?

Going to Costa Rica for surfing is a ! As on almost all beaches in the country, surfing is possible here too. But in Cahuita, the sea isn't filled with surfers like everywhere else. There are board rental shops and surf lessons too. Be mindful of the season though; currents during Austral winter can be very strong!

Discovering the Region by Bike

Cahuita is a very calm town because very few cars circulate within it. Locals move around on foot or by bike and only use cars to change towns or do their shopping. You can easily rent a bike to explore pathways along the seaside or even reach Puerto Viejo.