Cahuita National Park

_{Strolling in Costa Rica’s Rainforest at Cahuita National Park –}

Where is it?

Cahuita National Park is located in Cahuita, a village in Limon Province, a Caribbean coast on the south of Costa Rica.

_{See the blue dot on the map}

How to get there?

From San Jose – Go to MEPE Terminal and buy your ticket there, since it can’t be done online.

The ticket costs 5.810 CRC and you need to pay by cash. If you want to secure your seat on the bus, buy the ticket one day before. Note that the terminal is rather on the dodgy side of the neighborhood, so just take Uber to go there. If you are lucky, you can buy the ticket the same day and do not have to wait for the bus that long.

Check the bus schedule here. The direction is San Jose to Sixaola.

The ride will take you approx. 4 hours with a 15 minutes break at Limon Station.

Once you arrive at Cahuita Station, it will only take you more or less 5 minutes.

_{It is not far at all from your starting point if you decide to ride the bus}

How much?

Donation based if you enter from Cahuita. But, if you enter from the other end, which is Puerto Vargas it is 5.65 USD. Therefore, I would recommend at least donating 5 USD.

_{Or approx. 3000 CRC}

How big is the park?

It would take approx. 4 hours to hike from the entrance at Cahuita until the other entrance at Puerto Vargas. If you want to do both ways, hiking back to Cahuita after reaching Puerto Vargas, please calculate your time wisely since the park is closed at around 4 PM (the last time to get out from the beach is at 3 PM).

_{The entrance from Cahuita}

_{What awaits you just on the right side of the entrance}

Afterwards, I would recommend you to just take a taxi at the end of your hike at Puerto Vargas. I took the offer from Boca Chica Resto for 3000 CRC, about 5 USD. It was fast, inexpensive, and I didn’t have to check out for the buses schedules & stops.

_{The map of the park}

How was the park?

I loved it that I went two days in a row. During my hike, I saw sandpipers, a raccoon, a snake, ants, toucans, turkey vultures, squirrels, howling monkeys, butterflies, hermit crabs, lizards, pelicans, and other different birds, which I don’t know the names of. Too bad I didn’t see any sloth because I did really want to see them. But hey, maybe you will be luckier than me! Despite the animals, I was also awed by different types of vegetation there. I mean, you will not only see Costa Rica’s rainforest. But, you will also be welcomed by palms and probably one of the cleanest beaches in the world. Yes, you will hike along the beach as well, Playa Blanca. And you will see how different it is from the starting point of your hike in Cahuita, which is the neighboring beach, Playa Negra.

_{Pelicans chilling on some sticks}

_{Playa Blanca, which is so far not contaminated with visible marine debris}

_{Lush Costa Rica}

_{Turkey Vulture of Costa Rica from afar}

_{Do you see the hermit crab?}

_{Mr. or Ms. Squirrel in action}

_{I thought it wasn’t a giant fungus bcs of the hard wood texture, but it is indeed! Nature, you’re amazing!}

_{Magnificent Mahoganie Trees}

_{Hello, Sir/Ma’am Sandpiper!}

What should you prepare?

I stated one of the most probably cleanest beaches in the world, so it is because the National Park bans a single use of plastic stuff.

So, to plan your trip here make sure to hit these points:

– Do not bring any single plastic use stuff, you will be checked on the entrance

– Do not bring any food, they don’t want you to feed the animals or make rubbish

– Do not bring your pets, it is not your regular park anyway

– Bring your binocular or monocular, it will make spotting animals way more fun

– Bring your swimming suit, Playa Blanca is not just a dream Caribbean beach to swim at, but it is also safe due to the low tides

– But do not bring your snorkeling equipment, snorkeling is not allowed unless it is accompanied by local guides

– Bring your own water bottle, you can refill it during the hiking path

– Bring your light rain jacket, since it could rain unexpectedly

– Bring your sunglasses and/or sun hat to protect your head and/or eyes from the sun

– Use coral safe SPF, UV index is high here despite the humidity. But, we still want to protect the reefs and not just our skins, right? So make sure your SPF is suitable

– Use insect repellent, since you will be out in the jungle. I used long sleeve & trousers and it was a pain since I sweated a lot and ended up being super sticky

– Respect nature by sticking to the rules and enjoying it without your loud music or chattery

– Good vibe, enjoy your time here in Costa Rica’s jungle. PURA VIDA!