10 Best Things to Do in Cahuita Costa Rica

If you like a nice quiet getaway with authentic food and hospitable people Cahuita, Costa Rica is the place for you. Cahuita is located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. Even though it is on the Caribbean side, you get the best of both worlds of the sea and the tropical rainforest. The scenery in this town is incredibly beautiful, and if you visit Costa Rica, you must make a stop in Cahuita.

Getting to Cahuita

If you fly from SJO (Juan Santamaría International Airport) in San Jose, Costa Rica, there is a shuttle van that you can take from this destination. I took the Interbus, which I highly recommend. One way is $57 for an adult ticket, and you can set up your pick and drop off locations. They also have a what’s app number where you can communicate with them if you need help.

The travel time was around 6 hours. We took a rest stop at Pecaditos, where you can sit down and order some food or get snacks.

I was not 100% prepared for this car ride, as I did not know what to expect. There was quite a bit of construction and traffic along the way as we left during rush hour at 2 pm. The van was comfortable, and I was able to get some rest after my long flight. Also, the scenery is beautiful along the ride, which was a plus.

Where to Stay

If you plan on doing a lot of site seeing you should plan to stay close to town.

You may prefer to stay in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca if you plan on going out at night and want to have walking distances to many restaurants and bars. This area at night is for people who like to go out to drink and dance. There is also a beach nearby.

If you like the beach and a more quiet area, I would recommend staying close to Cahuita National Park. There are many local places to eat from, and there is also a black sanded beach. If you visit here, you can take a 20-minute taxi to Puerto Viejo de Talamanca for a night out at the bar.

What to do

Here are the best things to do in Costa Rica! You will never be bored!

Nature Walk at Cahuita National Park

This park is free, but they do ask for donations. There is a trail that is 8 km. I did not finish all of the trails because it is lengthy. Along the way, I did stop along the beach and saw a sloth from afar in a tree. If you do go, don’t forget to bring comfortable shoes, bug spray, water, and a bathing suit.

Snorkeling at Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park is home to some of the most extensive coral reefs. You can have a chance to see tropical fish, turtles, coral, and many other marine animals.

Hike and swim at the Voilo Waterfall

This waterfall is in the town of Bri Bri. The drive from Cahuita was about 15 minutes away. Voilo waterfall is one of the closer waterfalls in the area, and locals recommend it.

I got a walking stick to help navigate the steep but easy trail down to the waterfall. It cost a few dollars, but I do recommend it for safety. The path down to the waterfall was safe.

This attraction was not busy at all. I had a lot of fun here, and the scenery is beautiful.

The owner of the house that is located right before the trail was hospitable even though he did not speak English. At the waterfall, I did not have a cellphone signal, nor did the house have a telephone, so I ended up having to take the bus back into town back to the hotel. This man waited the entire hour with us and made sure we got onto the right bus.

I’m sure if I walked down the hill, we would have got service instead of having to wait an hour for the bus to come. I would still recommend going here!

Visit Playa Negro

I highly recommend checking out this beach, especially if you have never seen a black sand beach. I recommend checking the high/low tide schedule for the day to know when the best time to go is. I went in the evening time during the sunset, and the tide was becoming high. This beach was everything and so beautiful. The best part was that is was not crowded at all.

Visit the Jaguar Rescue Center

The Jaguar Rescue Center is a great place to go if you want to see wildlife. They offer tours where you can see rescued monkeys, sloths, birds, and even jaguars. Who doesn’t want to see cute sloths?!

Ride Horses at Brigette’s Horse Ranch

This place was recommended to me by a local for horseback riding. You can have the chance to ride on the beach and in the jungle. There is also a restaurant on the ranch. I do recommend booking in advance because most of the tours run early in the morning.

Make Chocolate with Bri Bri Chocolate Tour

I recommend doing this tour if you love chocolate! This tour involves hands-on chocolate making and shows you how a chocolate plantation operates.

Grab a Drink and Food at the Reggae Bar

After you hit the beach, you should refresh yourself with a drink and some from the Reggae Bar. The food here was delicious! I ordered delicious plantains and curry shrimp, which were both favorable. This place also has live performers during certain nights. You will be jamming the night away to Reggae music when you come here.

Zip-line through the Rainforest

Instead of your typical walk, you can thrillingly explore Costa Rica’s forest. Get to know how diverse the wildlife in the forest is while also having an unforgettable experience.

Take a Surf Lesson

Whether you already know how to surf or you are eager to try it, Cahuita is the place to do this. With gentle waves and warm water, it will be a pleasant experience!