Cahuita

A small town on Costa Rica's east coast where rainforest trails end at coral reefs, with snorkeling, wildlife and Afro-Caribbean food.

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Cahuita is a small town on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, in Limón Province, beside Cahuita National Park. Here the park's rainforest trails reach the sea, and coral reefs lie off Punta Cahuita. The town has an Afro-Caribbean community, and its food, music and English-based Creole speech set it apart from much of the country.

People come for snorkeling, wildlife seen on the park trails and Afro-Caribbean cooking. The town is small enough to walk, and it moves at an easy pace, which suits a two- or three-night stop or a longer stay with few plans. Rain falls on this coast in most months, and its wet and dry periods do not follow the Pacific side, so check recent rainfall before you book beach days. Pack insect repellent and sun protection for the trails.

Cahuita in five

Aim for February to March or September to OctoberCosta Rica's tourism board says the Caribbean has no well-defined dry season, but two relatively dry periods fall in February to March and September to October, the latter during the Pacific's rainiest months.When to go to Costa Rica
Snorkel only with an established operatorUK government advice says safety standards for tours on the water vary, and there have been recent fatalities on snorkeling tours. Use a company with experienced staff and check life-jacket and briefing practice.
Keep passports and car contents out of sightCanada's travel advice flags Cahuita for theft and calls passport theft extremely common. Carry your passport securely and leave nothing in a parked car at the park entrances.
Check the park sector before you walk inThe tourism board lists Cahuita National Park under two sectors, Puerto Vargas and Playa Blanca, with separate entrances. Confirm current hours and tickets with SINAC.
Pack for rain in any monthRain stays steady all year and falls mostly at night and in the morning, according to the tourism board. A light rain jacket, quick-dry clothes and a dry bag matter more than dates.Caribbean Coast

Things to do in Cahuita

See all attractions in Cahuita

Sight · CahuitaPlaya Negra

Sight · CahuitaPlaya Blanca

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to CahuitaPut the places you like in Cahuita on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: San José (SJO), then a long road or bus journey
Getting there: Shuttle, bus or rental car from San José via the Caribbean highway
Getting around: Walk or bike in town; taxi to farther beaches
Best base: Cahuita town beside the national park
Time needed: 2 to 3 nights

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Rainy
FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Drier
MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Drier
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Showers
MayRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rainy
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy
JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainiest
AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy
SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drier
OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Drier
NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Rainy
DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Rainiest

Average daily high and low in Cahuita, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Cahuita

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 30°
Humidity: 80%
Wind: 24 km/h
Chance of rain: 97%

Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

04:05 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today28°22°97%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 97%.
Tue29°23°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Wed29°23°97%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 97%.
Thu29°23°99%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 99%.
Fri28°23°96%Friday: Rain. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 96%.
Sat29°23°94%Saturday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 94%.
Sun31°23°92%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 92%.

Updated 12:15 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC

Amount

Converted to

CRC · Costa Rican Colón

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Puerto Viejo de Talamancaa short bus or car ride southA colorful beach town with surf, food and Afro-Caribbean culture.Read the guide
Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refugeabout 1 hour or more by roadTwo beaches and rainforest; leatherback nesting runs from April to August.
Caribbean Coast overviewplanning pageHow Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero fit together on one route.Read the guide

Before you go to Cahuita

Snorkel and wildlife toursCoral reef and park walks with guidesCompare tours

Hotels in Cahuita townWalkable stays near the park entranceCheck availability

eSIM for the Caribbean coastBus and shuttle updates on the roadRead the guide

Cover for water tours and theftCheck snorkeling and baggage termsRead the guide

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Rules for Cahuita, checked

Canada's travel advice flags Cahuita for theft and says car break-ins are very common, including in national park parking lots.Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source
Safety standards for adventure activities and small boats vary, and there have been recent snorkeling fatalities; use an established company (UK FCDO advice).Checked Oct 3, 2026 · Source

Plan around Cahuita

All of Costa Rica

Cahuita within a longer route.

Read the guide Caribbean Coast

How Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Tortuguero fit.

Read the guide Puerto Viejo de Talamanca

Surf beaches and cocoa farms, a short ride south.

Read the guide When to go to Costa Rica

Dry season, green season and which coast.

Read the guide Travel insurance

Check snorkeling and water-sport cover.

Read the guide

Cahuita FAQ

When is the best time to visit Cahuita?

February to March and September to October are the relatively dry periods, according to Costa Rica's tourism board. Rain stays steady all year, so choose by crowds and flexibility as well as weather.

Is Cahuita worth visiting?

Yes for a quiet base beside a national park with coral reef, trails and Caribbean food. Skip it for long swim-and-surf weeks, since sea conditions change often and facilities are modest.

Is Cahuita safe for tourists?

Keep a low profile in this small town: Canada's travel advice names it among Caribbean areas of concern for theft. Skip empty beaches at night, use official taxis and book snorkeling with an established company.

Can you snorkel in Cahuita?

The tourism board notes live coral reefs around Punta Cahuita. UK advice urges extra care on snorkeling tours, so go with an established company and check conditions on the day.

Should I choose Cahuita or Puerto Viejo?

Cahuita for a smaller, quieter town next to a park, and Puerto Viejo for more beaches, surf and nightlife. They are a short ride apart, so staying in one and visiting the other is simple.