Last Updated: February 9, 2024
Though humble in size, Costa Rica has distinct differences in its culture from one destination to the next. On the country’s east coast, for example, Afro-Caribbean traditions mix with Latin American heritage to create a unique island feel.
The small beach town of Cahuita is the perfect place to experience this laid back vibe. With waves lapping the nearly empty beaches, locals riding bikes through town, and the aroma of jerk chicken wafting between the brightly painted buildings, visitors will shed the stress in no time. Add to that a national park that is full of wildlife, it is surprising that Cahuita has stayed so small. In this post, we’ll give you all the details you need to plan your visit, including some of our favorite activities, restaurants, and hotels.
Location and Orientation
Cahuita is located about 3-4 hours from the capital of San Jose on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It is a 40-minute drive south of the port city of Limon and 20 minutes north of the popular beach town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.
Cahuita is best known for its national park and authentic cultural feel.
The tiny grid-shaped downtown consists of only a few blocks but packs in a lot of local flair. Several good restaurants, a few bars, small shops, and neighborhood homes make it a fun place to explore.
On the dusty dirt road going north of town, you’ll find secluded beaches and quaint lodging options tucked into the jungle setting.
When to Visit
The weather on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is best described as tropical.
Sunny and hot mornings are perfect for activities but often bring afternoon thunderstorms or evening downpours. This helps keep the jungle lush and green.
Though it is worth visiting any time of year, the driest months and calmest seas tend to be in September and October. These months are typically the rainiest in other parts of Costa Rica.
For more about Costa Rica’s weather patterns, see our post Weather in Costa Rica.
Activities in Cahuita
Cahuita is appealing for those looking to see wildlife, enjoy beaches, and most of all, explore the local culture. Below are some activities that will allow you to do just this.
Cahuita National Park
A trip to Cahuita wouldn’t be complete without a visit to this lush swath of protected rainforest. We have visited several times and have always seen sloths, monkeys, lizards, the occasional snake, and many kinds of birds.
Run by a community organization, the park has two entrances. One is in town (this is the most commonly used) and the other is 5 km (3 miles) south off the highway.
From the entrance near town, a trail runs along the coast and then crosses a river. After the river, the trail continues to a point, turns, and eventually reaches the southern entrance (about 8.3 km/5.2 miles in total, each way). Entering from the southern entrance, a new raised walkway meanders through a forested wetland and then along the beach, around the point, passing the river, and eventually back to the town of Cahuita.
To see the most wildlife, we recommend hiring a guide. You can see a lot on your own if you go slowly, but a guide will be able to spot more with their trained eye. On our last visit, a guide pointed out an eyelash pit viper snake that we never would have seen on our own as it was hidden deep in the bushes.
For lots more information on visiting the park, read our separate post, Cahuita National Park: Wildlife Just a Step Away.
Snorkeling
Part of the protected area of Cahuita National Park extends into the ocean, protecting the local marine life as well. A large coral reef sits off the point and is a great place to explore with a snorkel and mask when conditions are right. 35 different coral species and over 120 different fish have been identified here. Snorkeling can be done only with a guide.
Keep in mind that the snorkeling in Cahuita depends on favorable ocean conditions. For this reason, it’s usually best to wait to book a tour until you arrive.
Indigenous Culture Tour/Hike
Several indigenous groups still exist in Costa Rica.
These cultures, which settled the land long before the Spanish, continue to hold many of their cultural beliefs and practices. Some even still speak their own language.
A visit to a Bribri group near Cahuita will allow you to meet some families and learn about their way of life. These tours include things like chocolate making, medicinal plants, crafts, and visiting a waterfall.
Beaches
A laid-back beach town wouldn’t be complete without some shady palm trees and swishing waves. Cahuita has a few excellent beaches to explore.
Playa Blanca near the national park entrance is a small cove with light tan sand that is probably the best for swimming or wading, though there are still waves and rip currents.
Playa Negra, a dark gray sand beach, sits a little north of town and tends to have fewer people.
Playa Grande, another gray sand beach, is farther north on the dirt road and is the most secluded. It is best for surfing or a long walk.
Restaurants in Cahuita
Cahuita has a mix of cuisine. You will find many restaurants run by locals who serve up traditional Costa Rican food with Caribbean flair. Expats who now call Cahuita home also have brought international offerings. Italian is one of the most common.
Pizzeria Cahuita
When you have had your fill of traditional food, there is Pizzeria Cahuita.
This restaurant is run by Italians who know how to make a delicious pie. The thin-crust pizza is cooked in a wood-fired oven. The homemade pasta is great too. You can dine in their casual restaurant or take out is available. They also have a nice patio out back with a few tables overlooking the ocean.
Asante Bistro Cafe
We were so happy to find Asante Bistro Cafe on a recent visit to Cahuita.
This super cool restaurant is tucked away on a quiet side road. They have playful, creative dishes. We loved our wrapped hamburger and crispy shrimp tacos. For the kids, they had quesadillas and fries served in a treasure box. You can dine on the swings outside or in the small air-conditioned indoor space.
Soda Kawe
If you’re looking to scarf some authentic local food after visiting the national park, head to Soda Kawe just up the road.
This simple restaurant serves plates with classics like rice and beans with coconut milk alongside the fresh catch or Caribbean chicken. They also have other traditional Costa Rican food options like fried snapper, lunch plates with chicken, beef, or fish, and patacones (savory fried plantains).
Reggae Bar
If you’re looking for a place to just kick back, check out Reggae Bar. This super casual spot across from Playa Negra is a locals’ hangout that has been around for years. The view is great, the beers are cold, and the food isn’t bad either. Often has live music at night.
Hotels in Cahuita
For such a small town, Cahuita has a sizeable selection of lodging. Although the options are diverse, all are small and locally owned. You won’t find any five-star resorts, but there are plenty of charming hotels with all the amenities.
A couple of tips: Much like the rest of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, lodging in Cahuita often does not have air conditioning. If you are sensitive to the heat, be sure that your room has good air flow and fans, or A/C. Although it does cool down at night considerably, days can be hot and humid.
Marfi Inn
If you’re looking for basic apartment-style lodging, check out Marfi Inn. This small inn is centrally located in downtown Cahuita, but tucked away on a quiet side street. It’s in a convenient location, close to several restaurants so a good option if you won’t have a rental car. $65-80 (double occupancy). Check Rates and Availability Here.
Hotel Boutique La Casa de las Flores
Next to Marfi Inn is Hotel Boutique La Casa de las Flores (the House of Flowers). We have stayed in one of their brightly colored rooms and really enjoyed it. Rooms come standard with two queen beds and A/C and all face a quaint courtyard with flowering trees. The owners live on site and take pride in making sure that their guests have a pleasant experience. $130 (double occupancy). Check Rates and Availability Here.
Playa Negra Guesthouse
One of the most popular options in Cahuita is the Playa Negra Guesthouse. This boutique hotel has four colorful, Caribbean-style bungalows. They have two bungalows that hold up to 2 people and the two other bungalows can hold up to four people so are great for families. Playa Negra Guesthouse is located just outside town near the beach. $90-200. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Villas New Caribe Point
Villas New Caribe Point is our pick for families and groups. The cute two-bedroom villas are designed like a typical Costa Rican home and offer plenty of space to spread out. Each has a kitchen and separate living room, and bedrooms have A/C. Villas New Caribe Point is located on a side street near Playa Negra, about 5 minutes from town. The units share a pool. $100-130. Check Rates and Availability Here.
Conclusion
For such a small town, Cahuita leaves an impression. When we first visited several years ago, we were lured in by the laid back pace and vibrant culture. The abundant wildlife that we saw in the national park and simple natural beauty everywhere around us made a lasting impact.
Years later, Cahuita still feel like an exotic destination to us. Though the town is simple in what it offers, if you are looking for an authentic experience in Costa Rica, we highly recommend it.
Last Updated: February 9, 2024
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Looking for more information to plan your trip to Costa Rica? Read these posts:
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca: Caribbean Cool in Costa Rica – If you’re looking for a little more going on, you might like Puerto Viejo. This town is just south of Cahuita and offers beautiful beaches for swimming, tons of restaurants and hotels, and more things to do.
Hiking the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge: This is another wonderful hiking option just south of Cahuita.
Tortuguero Off the Resort – Tortuguero is a fantastic destination for wildlife and commonly paired with Cahuita. Read our guide to this tiny village to learn how to visit as an independent traveler.
Sounds wonderful! I’m so excited! Given a choice between visiting here or Puerto Viejo which would you choose (in July, no car). Thank you!
Hi Hannah, Both towns are good options if you won’t have a car but they are very different places so it is hard for us to recommend one over the other without knowing more about your travel interests/preferences. Cahuita is a lot quieter so if you want more going on, definitely go with Puerto Viejo. We also find the beaches in PV to be a little nicer than in Cahuita. Cahuita has a really cool laid back vibe, though, which makes it great in its own way, and the national park is awesome. We recommend reading our Puerto Viejo post to get a better sense of the differences between the towns.
We will be arriving in Cahuita in Early July. Can we wait til we arrive to book tours? It is low season and weather looks stormy. Will we be able to snorkel?
Can we use American money? Are credit cards broadly accepted?
Your site is most helpful
Hi Karyn, The weather on the Caribbean side is usually decent in July so don’t worry. And don’t rely on what the forecast says because it is not accurate for Costa Rica. Read our Weather post for why.
Yes, US currency is accepted but it is better to use local colones so that you don’t have to worry about the exchange rate you’re getting with dollars. Read our Money post for lots of detail about that. Credit cards are accepted in most places in Costa Rica, but in Cahuita, they are accepted a lot less. Many of the small grocery stores and restaurants are cash only. So be sure to have plenty on hand. There is an ATM machine in town.
Hi! Thanks for all the great info on your website. We are coming to CR for Christmas break and will be there 2 weeks. 1 week will be spent in Drake Bay. We are hoping to spend a few days at another beach area, but are really not big into crowds, so Guanacaste doesn’t seem like a good option. What would you recommend the week of Christmas? Thanks!!
Hi Emily, To avoid the crowds, you could check out Montezuma on the southern Nicoya Peninsula (it’s more remote so usually isn’t as busy) or Puerto Viejo on the Caribbean side. We spent Christmas in Puerto Viejo a few years ago and it was perfect. It’s really spread out so there’s lots of room for everyone. Just don’t stay right in downtown Puerto Viejo where it can get crowded.
Going for a side trip for about 3 day after third dental visit in San Jose. Am older and have been to La Fortuna andaMonteverde. Will be alone,and plan to go in May. Which do you recommend; Cahuita,or Tamarindo? Or Samara? Best
Hi Laura, Any of those destinations would be good for a solo visit, it just depends on the type of experience you’re looking for. Cahuita is the smallest destination but if you stay in the downtown, there’s a little bit going on. Tamarindo is the largest. Samara might be a good balance in the middle. It has a nice central main area of town along the beach with restaurants and shops. We’d recommend reading our destination guides to each town to get a better feel. Hope that helps!
Hello, We are two single middle age (wow, it pains me to write that 😉 women traveling alone in about two weeks. La Fortuna for 2 days then Cahuita for a week. We are prudent and use common sense. We will have a rental car. Are dinners our in the evening (not the middle of the night), safe for two women traveling alone?
Hi Michelle, Yes, totally. As long as you exercise reasonable caution, you shouldn’t have any trouble. Both of those towns are safe but it’s still a good idea to drive back to your hotel after dinner instead of walk so good that you will have a rental car.
Thanks for your reply. We have just returned and I agree. We drove to dinners and back, etc and even walked the’main’ block or two in town after dark and never felt unsafe. Other travels do be advised twice someone tried to pry the door open to get into our rental car to either steal stuff from inside (nothing in there) or the car itself. The first time was our fault as we were parked with other cars but near hiking so not a populated part of town. The second time was right near the entrance to the Cahuita Park in town.
Hi! We, family of 5 including 3 young boys 11, 9 and 7) visited Santa Teresa last year in April and loved it. Looking to visit another region of CR that offers snorkeling but still with a chill vibe like ST. Suggestions?
Thanks!
Hi Laura, Snorkeling is tougher in Costa Rica, but Cahuita or Puerto Viejo de Talamanca might be good options. Both have snorkeling and a chill vibe. On the Pacific coast, there aren’t many options for towns with a laid back vibe and snorkeling, unfortunately. Hope that helps!
My husband and I are also coming to San Jose for dentistry – in March. Right now, our dates are flexible. We want to find reasonable accommodations in Cahuita with air conditioning. Is one time in March likely to have better weather, or is it likely to be the same all month? And, is this month okay weather-wise? We will have a car and would like to snorkel.
Thank you!
Hi Betsy, There’s not a significantly better time in March to visit Cahuita so just go with whatever works best for your schedule and hotel availability. Weather-wise, it’s a nice time of year to visit.
Hi
We will be traveling with kids ages 7 & 9. Would you recommend renting a car to get from San Jose to Cahuita vs. a private shuttle or bus? Also, for being out after dark if we’ll be out for dinner etc…? We plan to head to Tortuguero from there – is a one way rental a realistic option?
Thanks!
Hi Suzanna, It depends on where you are staying in Cahuita. If it’s not within walking distance of town, it’s easier to have a car to get to restaurants and things to do, especially with kids. One-way rentals are an option. You would probably return the car in Limon (see our rental car discount page for info on the company that we recommend. They have an office in Limon that would work). If you’re in town, you probably don’t need a car and could just take a shuttle from San Jose. Shuttles are also available for getting to Tortuguero after. If you decide to do shuttles and need help making the arrangements, please contact us through our Shuttle Booking page.
Hi and thank you for all of the fun information. My wife, myself and two teenage kids will be traveling to cahuita for some beach time and I was looking an area or place that we could throw in some zip line or rafting on the way without extending our driving time from san jose too much. We are adventurous and will have a rental. I have rented and drove to the pacific coast one time before for a trip. Thank you in advance for your recommendations.
Hi Nick, We work with a company that has a zip line tour and they also do hanging bridges and an aerial tram. It’s right on the way to Cahuita from San Jose. For rafting, the Sarapiqui or Pacuare Rivers are good options. Let us know if you’d like more information about these and we can send info by email about how to book them. Thanks!
Costa Rica – a word that brings a kind of dreaminess to the imagination. I have always wanted to go there. Thanks for the tidbits and for sharing. It surely is the right time to embark on a Costa Rican adventure 😉
Hi, I’m looking to travel to costa rica for the month of may with husband and two sons (who will be 3 and 1). We;d like to stay three weeks just in one beach town, preferably quiet and less touristy with good options for for food, wildlife, and beach (ideally with less rough waves), should I be looking on the caribean side? any suggestions? And then for the fourth week we’d like to do the cloud forest? any suggestions? Or am I likely to be rained out in late may? Your website is so helpful. Thank you!
Hi Meaghan, May is low season so it shouldn’t be too busy anywhere in the country. With young children, the Caribbean side is a good option, or Samara or Manuel Antonio on the Pacific coast. It’s just the beginning of the rainy season in May so you should be ok there. Makes sense to do the 4th week in Monteverde for the cloud forest. Lots to do there with little kids because of all the wildlife exhibits. Let us know if you need any help suggesting tours that would be good for your family. We have a tour booking service. Thanks!
Hi, Can you tell me if mosquitoes will be a joy killer in January? I see the netting over beds on some lodging sites. I am a bug magnet. Are there parts of the country where they are worse or better? Thanks
Hi Julie, If you want to avoid the bugs, it’s best to stay in hotels with rooms that close up completely and have A/C (that way you know they are well sealed). I am a big magnet too and have learned to avoid open air accommodations with bug nets. Mosquitoes are found pretty much all over the country but are worse in wet, humid areas like at the beach.
Did you chance to meet Walter Ferguson, the 100-year-old calypso singer? If you did, please share your story about that encounter. Thank you!
Hi, we are a couple in our twenties travelling to Costa Rica in the last week of May for two weeks into June. We have already planned to do La Fortuna and Tortuguero but cannot decide between Manuel Antonio or Cahuita/Puerto Viejo for around four days of beach specifically but also more nature. It is our first time to Costa Rica (and we are from the UK so probably won’t be back for a while!) so want to make sure we use our time to see the best of the country. We love swimming, snorkelling and hiking but also want to relax after a pretty busy first week. Would you recommend one over the other? Would the weather be significantly different? Thank you!
Hi Sophie, Cahuita/Puerto Viejo is a fun area and the beaches are gorgeous. It’s very wild feeling and you can also go snorkeling and hike. Since you will be going to Tortuguero, it would be less travel time to go there too, so maybe do that. A good loop wouuld be San Jose to Cahuita or PV to Tortuguero to La Fortuna. Manuel Antonio is nice too but on the other side of the country.
Hi! Thinking of taking a 6 month leave to volunteer my time at a yoga hostel. Is it necessary to know spanish to navigate through town?
Hi Crista, No, you will be fine without knowing Spanish. Many people in Cahuita speak English since it is a popular tourism destination. It’s still handy, though, to have a Spanish dictionary to refer to. A phrasebook like this one is nice too because it’s small and easy to carry around. Best of luck with your plans!
Hello!
We have read your articles, great info thanks!
We would like to spend Jan to mid March 2023 in CR. We are looking at renting a 1 bedroom house in Cahuita. We are retired and are looking to relax and spend quality time with each other. Mostly concerned about safety, can you talk about this? We do not plan to have a vehicle, are there buses, taxis if we plan to visit outside this town? One last thing, what about snakes? Thanks!
Hi Louise, Cahuita is a small town and pretty safe. Just look for a rental that closes up well and has some neighbors nearby.
Yes, there is a public bus you can take to get to Puerto Viejo if you wanted to visit for the day and also buses that go to San José. You could also take shared or private shuttle vans to get to San José, which are more comfortable (they have AC and don’t stop as much as the bus).
There are snakes in Cahuita. The main thing is to keep the plants around your property cut back and grass chopped.
Hi Jenn & Matt,
Our family is planning a 3-4 week trip in December. We have the first week planned, a week long family surf camp in Tamarindo, but are looking for a sleepy laid back place to settle down for the remaining 3 weeks. This is a bit of a sabbatical for us so we’re looking for life to slow down and be pretty relaxing. We have two kids, 4 and 8, so we’re thinking calmer waters and would love to be walking distance to most things we’d need daily as we’ll likely be without a car. . I’d been leaning toward Cahuita or Puerto Viejo. Any other recommendations to check out?
Hi Daniel, Yes, Cahuita would be good for a quiet, laid back town. Puerto Viejo may be too busy in December, though. It just depends on how sleepy you’re looking for.
You could also look at Playa Hermosa in Guanacaste. It has calm water and is a smaller town.
Keep in mind that all the beach towns will get busier over Christmas/New Years, if your travel dates fall during that time.
I am 65 and my daughter is 47. We are both physically disabled with genius IQ’s and looking to retire in the best place between Limon and Puerto Viejo (ideal) I would have my car brought to CR and buy a motorcycle in CR. I’m functional but my daughter needs a motorized wheelchair/scooter. She makes $1200/mo. I make $2200/mo. We want 2-3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house rental, beach very close, laid back, marijuana accepted for pain management, the ability to hire a caregiver and housekeeper, * access to health and dental care as well as multiple medications. Small Town with easy access to above as well as groceries, amenities. Highly motivated. Where would you suggest or list?
Hi Jan, We don’t have any specific recommendations for places to stay. We’d recommend coming down and seeing what you can find, or you could try connecting with a local real estate agent. Keep in mind that there are less options for medical care on the southern Caribbean coast. Many people go to San Jose, which is 5+ hours away. Best of luck with your plans.
Hey Jenn and Matt!
We are a family of 5 headed down to Cahuita the 3rd week of June. We are so excited, this is our children’s first international trip. Anything updated, new or different you’d do with kids aged 22, 18 and 11? Definitely saving your site for help planning our tours!
Thanks!
Marie
Hi Marie, This article was updated based on a recent visit we took to Cahuita so it’s all current. With kids those ages, we would add to the list of activities in this post some things in Puerto Viejo. Puerto Viejo is about 15 minutes to the south and has the Jaguar Rescue Center, a nice chocolate tour, and its own gorgeous beaches. If you follow the link we just gave, it will have more information. Hope your family has a great trip!
Great, thanks so much, really appreciate it!
One more question, while visiting, did you guys ever need to use a laundromat while you were there and have any recommendations? If possible, we would like to atleast just wash (and let air dry!). Thank you SO much!
Hi Marie, I don’t think there is a laundromat in town. We’ve always just asked our hotel to do it. Prices for laundry service are very reasonable in Costa Rica.
Yeah, we are staying in a VRBO property that doesn’t have a washer/dryer included (realized while it’s common for them to be included on the Pacific side, not so much on the Carribean). We just wanted to have an idea of where one may be incase we want to do a load while we are there! Thanks so much!