National Park Guide
Parque Nacional Cahuita, a national park located on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast in the Limón Province, offers a diverse landscape for outdoor activities. The park features a blend of lush coastal rainforest, pristine white sand beaches, and a significant coral reef system. Its mostly flat terrain along the coast and through the jungle provides an accessible environment for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, road cycling, jogging, and more. This unique combination of ecosystems supports abundant wildlife, making it a…
46
Routes
4.7
(317)
Average rating
3542
People visited

4.9
(144)
1,239
hikers
12.7km
03:15
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(53)
654
hikers
9.97km
02:33
40m
40m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(49)
334
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(8)
191
hikers
3.79km
00:58
10m
10m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(12)
212
riders
26.3km
01:32
150m
150m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

43
riders
7.26km
00:25
30m
30m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(2)
12
riders
39.5km
02:27
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
10
riders
28.4km
02:06
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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63
runners
9.05km
00:58
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

51
runners
9.97km
01:02
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
45
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

29
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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52
riders
24.0km
01:08
170m
170m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

9
riders
27.3km
01:09
220m
220m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

3
riders
36.6km
01:55
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Great for any fitness level. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(2)
34
riders
27.6km
01:32
150m
150m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.0
(1)
22
riders
33.9km
02:15
300m
300m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
68.6km
04:09
750m
750m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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Parque Nacional Cahuita offers a variety of outdoor activities, including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Jogging, and Mountain biking. The park features more than 30 routes across these sports, with an average rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars from over 3,000 visitors. The main trail is suitable for both hiking and jogging, while the surrounding areas offer cycling opportunities.
Among the popular hiking routes is the Cahuita National Park – Cahuita National Park loop from Cahuita, covering 7.9 miles (12.7 km) with a moderate difficulty. Another well-regarded option is the Punta Cahuita – Cahuita National Park loop from Cahuita, which is 6.2 miles (10 km) long and also rated as moderate. These trails offer opportunities to explore the coastal rainforest and beaches.
Yes, Parque Nacional Cahuita offers easy hiking options. The park's main trail is mostly flat, making it accessible for various fitness levels. An example of an easy route is the Santera Fund – Cahuita National Park loop from Cahuita, which is 2.5 miles (4 km) long. More information on accessible trails can be found in the Easy hikes in Parque Nacional Cahuita guide.
Parque Nacional Cahuita is known for its abundant wildlife. Visitors frequently encounter white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, raccoons, and iguanas. Various bird species such as toucans, herons, and kingfishers are also common. Many animals are easily visible, particularly near the Kelly Creek entrance.
Key points of interest include the pristine white sand beaches like Playa Blanca and Puerto Vargas, and the lush coastal rainforest. Punta Cahuita is a prominent peninsula offering scenic views along the hiking trail. The park also protects a significant coral reef system, which can be explored through guided snorkeling tours.
While the main park trail is primarily for walking, the flat coastal terrain in the surrounding area is suitable for cycling. Routes like the Reggae Bar Beach – Jaguar Rescue Center loop from Parque de Puerto Viejo offer touring cycling opportunities. For more options, consult the Cycling in Parque Nacional Cahuita guide.
Mountain biking routes are available in the broader region of Parque Nacional Cahuita. An example is the Manzanillo Beach loop from Parque de Puerto Viejo, an easy 17.4-mile (28 km) route. For more mountain biking options, refer to the MTB Trails in Parque Nacional Cahuita guide.
Entry to the main Kelly Creek entrance of Parque Nacional Cahuita operates on a voluntary donation system, encouraging contributions for park upkeep. The Puerto Vargas entrance typically has an admission fee for foreign visitors.
The main trail in Parque Nacional Cahuita stretches approximately 5.1 miles (8.3 km) one way. It connects the two park entrances, Kelly Creek and Puerto Vargas, winding along the beach and through the jungle.
Komoot offers several guides for Parque Nacional Cahuita, including Hiking in Parque Nacional Cahuita, Easy hikes in Parque Nacional Cahuita, and Running Trails in Parque Nacional Cahuita. There are also guides for Cycling, MTB Trails, and Attractions.
The official website for Parque Nacional Cahuita can be found on the SINAC (Sistema Nacional de Áreas de Conservación) website. For direct inquiries, the park's phone number is +506 2755-0302.
Yes, Parque Nacional Cahuita is generally suitable for families. The main trail is mostly flat and well-maintained, making it accessible for various ages and fitness levels. The abundant wildlife viewing opportunities also make it an engaging experience for children.

