PARQUE NACIONAL DE CAHUITA

Declared a national park in 1978, it is the only park in the country that is partly managed by the community, and whose entrance fee is at the discretion of each visitor. Cahuita National Park begins at the southern end of the village, and covers 1,067 hectares on land and 22,400 hectares at sea. It's one of the most beautiful spots in the country, with its white sandy beaches, coconut palms sloping towards the sea and relatively calm waters. The main attraction is the coral reef that surrounds Punta Cahuita, unfortunately threatened by the sediments and pesticides deposited by the Estrella River to the north of Cahuita.

At the park's main entrance, in the village of Playa Blanca, a path leads to Punta Cahuita (3.5 km). Most guided tours take place on the first kilometer. The rest is for you to explore on your own. You can reach the other entrance, in the Puerto Vargas sector, by walking a further 4.8 kilometers, then return to the starting point, either by cab, by walking the same route or (twice as fast) by following the coastal road. If you enter the park from the south of the village, you'll skirt the Playa Blanca before reaching the Río Suárez, which flows into the sea. You can then continue on to Río Perezoso. If it rains, the rivers swell and can be difficult to cross; the terrain also becomes muddier, so be careful and stop where nature demands - the jungle is dense and full of surprises. In fine weather, you'll easily reach Punta Cahuita. From here, another coastal trail takes you along Puerto Vargas to the entrance of the same name, via a stilted footbridge through the jungle. A guide is not essential, as the paths are well-marked, but it is highly recommended if you want to see the animals. At the very least, you can take the guided tour in the morning on the Playa Blanca side, then get back in your car to park in the Puerto Vargas sector and walk along the footpath to the beach (2 km - 45 min). In high season, bathers will prefer this section, which is much quieter than the one accessible from the village.

Passing through the village of Cahuita, in exchange for your donation, you will be given a dated receipt valid for both entrances on the same day.
You can also snorkel around the coral reef on a guided boat trip.