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Looking for the best way to explore Cahuita National Park?
If you ask me, a tour is definitely the way to go. It just makes exploring the park so much easier! Plus, this park has a lot of rules and the area is quite underdeveloped, so having a tour ensures that your time in the park will go without a hitch.
We visited Cahuita National Park multiple times while living in Costa Rica, and after years of traveling around the country, we know a good tour when we see one. So we’ve rounded up our top 5 tours so that you can enjoy this park to the fullest!
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this small group hiking tour from Puerto Viejo. Learn about the indigenous culture, spot tons of wildlife, and easily navigate the trials with a local guide. Check out all the positive reviews and reserve his tour here!
Tip: Book this tour in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- 1. Cahuita National Park Tour with Waterfall Visit from Puerto Viejo
- 2. Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon
- 3. Cahuita National Park Hiking Tour (Self-Drive)
- 4. Full Day Small Group Tour of Cahuita, Bri-Bri and Ma-Cu from Puerto Viejo
- 5. Cahuita National Park and Tortuguero Canals Tour from Puerto Limon
- Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
1. Cahuita National Park Tour with Waterfall Visit from Puerto Viejo
- Price: $90 USD
- Duration: 5-6 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: wildlife walks, learning about the park’s history and culture, beautiful beaches, swimming at Bribri waterfall, small group tour
- Inclusions: hotel pickup and drop-off, transport, guide, fruit snacks, entry fee
- Pickup from: Puerto Viejo
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 50+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: Yes
Honestly, you will get so much more out of your visit to Cahuita National Park by booking this small-group tour! Our guide, Adrian, was just fantastic at spotting wildlife and he really helped us to appreciate the park on a deeper level. We learned a ton about the indigenous people who live in the national park, and its fascinating history and culture. We would have completely missed out on this had we just visited by ourselves!
The day is also planned perfectly to give a fantastic overview of Cahuita. We spent time exploring the lush rainforests and spotting a ton of wildlife, and I mean a TON of wildlife, as well as relaxing on the pristine beaches.
Not only did we have an amazing time exploring the park, but we also got to visit Bribri waterfall for a swim! This waterfall was hidden deep in the jungle so we would never have found it on our own. It was super quiet, too, so swimming here really ended the day on a high note.
For $90 USD, I really don’t think that you can go wrong with this tour. It’s all-around fantastic and is suitable for everyone from families and groups to couples and solo travelers. So what are you waiting for? Grab your spot now, as this tour often sells out!
Book this tour in advance here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
2. Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon
- Price: $99 USD
- Duration: 6-8 hours
- Time: between 7:30 am and 9 am
- Highlights: Puerto Limon city tour, Tortuguero canals cruise, banana plantation visit, hiking in Cahuita National Park, beach visit
- Inclusions: pickup and dropoff, all transport, national park admission fees, canal cruise, city tour, fruit tasting, bottled water, fruit juice
- Pickup from: Puerto Limon cruise port
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 190+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This full-day tour is a fantastic Puerto Limon cruise excursion, but you don’t have to be a cruise passenger to enjoy it! If you’re staying in the city, it’s a fantastic way to get your bearings and enjoy the stunning surrounding areas without needing to hire your own car.
It kicks off with a city tour, which is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the Afro-Costa Rican culture of Puerto Limon and find some hidden gems that tourists usually miss out on. Then, it’s onto the Tortuguero Canals.
Now, when I say that a Tortuguero canal cruise is a must in Limon, I mean a MUST. These protected canals represent one of the most wildlife-dense areas in the whole of Costa Rica (which is really saying something) and you would not believe how much incredible wildlife we saw here whilst gliding along on our boat cruise.
And of course, there’s plenty of time to make the most of Cahuita National Park. With an expert local guide to help you find the wildlife hotspots and most beautiful hidden beaches, this is hands down the best way to explore the park for those who are short on time in Limon.
We absolutely love this tour and clearly, we’re not the only ones. You can read the dozens of positive reviews here! It runs during peak season and some dates are already sold out, so take advantage of their free cancellation policy and grab your spot today!
Dates are limited – book this top-rated tour in advance here!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
3. Cahuita National Park Hiking Tour (Self-Drive)
- Price: $55 USD
- Duration: 1-2 hours
- Time: between 7:30 am and 12:30 pm
- Highlights: spotting lots of flora and fauna, knowledgeable guide, beach visit, small group tour
- Inclusions: binoculars or spotting scope, local guide
- Pickup from: self-drive, meet at the tour meeting point
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (check 25+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: no
If you love hiking, then don’t miss the opportunity to explore Cahuita National Park on this guided tour! Although this park is famous for its reef, I actually found that hiking was the highlight of my visit here. Going with a guide will help you get so much more out of the experience because these guys are trained to spot creatures that most people are unable to find.
Cahuita National Park is a true treasure trove of wildlife, so I think that booking this tour is a must. The guides have spotting scopes, so there’s no need to worry about bringing or hiring your own. And since there’s a maximum group size of 6, the tour can be adapted to suit you.
This tour is also wheelchair and stroller-friendly, which is quite unusual for a hiking tour. We love this because it means that families with young children and those with mobility issues can still explore the park to the fullest!
The tour ends on one of the park’s gorgeous beaches, so after all of that hiking, you’re free to relax and swim for as long as you please. Sounds like a perfect day to us!
At $55 USD, this is also the most budget-friendly tour on our list and for that price, you really can’t go wrong. It’s such an affordable way to enjoy a guided visit to the park, so don’t miss out.
Check availability and book this tour before you go here!
Related Read: Be sure to check out our guide to visiting Chauita National Park so you’re well prepared!
4. Full Day Small Group Tour of Cahuita, Bri-Bri and Ma-Cu from Puerto Viejo
- Price: $140 USD
- Duration: 7-8 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: nature walk in Cahuita National Park, visit to Bri-Bri tribe, cacao ceremony, chocolate tasting, authentic local lunch, swim in a secret waterfall
- Inclusions: pickup and dropoff, guide, all admission fees, lunch, snacks
- Pickup from: Puerto Viejo
- Rating: 5 Stars (check the reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This full-day tour is a must for those who want to learn more about Costa Rica’s Caribbean culture! It’s a rare opportunity to visit a local indigenous community to learn about their way of life, and even participate in some of their most beloved traditions.
The day kicks off with a guided nature hike through Cahuita National Park, which is an unmissable chance to see tons of wildlife, from tropical birds to monkeys, sloths, and cute coatis!
However, what really sets this tour apart for us is the fact that it includes a visit to a Bri-Bri tribe. Learning about the history and culture of the Bri-Bri is so interesting. We find their way of life fascinating because it’s so in tune with nature, and we love learning about their traditional uses of plants.
Best of all, the visit includes a cacao preparation demo! This means that you get the rare chance to sample what has to be the most authentic and delicious chocolate that I have ever tasted.
This tour also includes a delicious local lunch, which our wonderful Bri-Bri hosts cooked for us over an open fire. It was so good, and then we ended the day with a visit to a stunning hidden waterfall deep in the jungle. This was such a magical spot and the perfect place to wrap up this incredible experience!
So if you’re looking for a well-rounded tour that includes culture, wildlife, natural beauty, and amazing food, then there’s really no better choice than this tour. Plus, Viator offers the chance to reserve your spot now and pay later, so what have you got to lose?
Book this tour here with flexible payment and cancellation options!
5. Cahuita National Park and Tortuguero Canals Tour from Puerto Limon
- Price: $122 USD
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: city tour, wildlife walk in Cahuita National Park, Tortuguero canal cruise, banana and chocolate plantation visit, fruit tasting, souvenir stop
- Inclusions: port pickup and drop-off, all transportation, national park fees, boat cruise, fruit tasting, tour guide, bottled water
- Pickup from: Puerto Limon cruise port
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (check 40+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you’re looking for a jam-packed tour that gives you incredible value for money, you’ll definitely want to book this full-day tour.
It’s the ideal choice for those who are looking to squeeze the most out of their time and budget in Puerto Limon. From learning about the city’s fascinating heritage and visiting historic landmarks to a bucket list worthy Tortuguero canal cruise and a banana plantation visit, this tour offers an epic day out.
The wildlife walk in Cahuita is absolutely fascinating and showcases why this National Park is one of Costa Rica’s true treasures. It’s one of our favorite places to visit in the whole country, and we always think that it’s so much better to go with a guide. There’s so much rare flora and fauna to see here, and having a knowledgeable guide to teach you about it all really does enhance the experience a lot.
Plus, with fruit and chocolate tastings and even more wildlife spotting as you glide along the Tortuguero canals, we really think that this tour sums up pura vida perfectly! We’re also just so impressed by the price. Given everything it includes, I really don’t see how you could do this any cheaper by yourself, especially given the cost of hiring a car. So make sure that you book it soon because tours that offer this kind of value for money tend to sell out fast!
Check availability and book this tour with FREE cancellation options here!
Where to Stay in Puerto Viejo
Puerto Viejo is the most popular sizeable town near Cahuita National Park. While this is a smaller center, there are still plenty of options to choose from. Whether you’re a budget traveler looking for a chill hostel or craving a bit of resort luxury, there’s something for you. Check out our top picks for all price ranges.
Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort – $$$
If you are looking for an affordable luxury stay, this is the place for you. At the Cariblue Beach and Jungle Resort, you’ll stay in your own private bungalow in the heart of the jungle. Lounge by the infinity pool, pamper yourself at the spa, and enjoy the convenience of being directly across from Playa Cocles.
Every room comes with a terrace overlooking the gardens! Expect to pay between $110-200 USD per night, depending on the size of the room you choose, but they are all pretty large! Book a room here on Booking.com.
Selina – $$
Selina Puerto Viejo offers great accommodation for mid-range travelers with shared dorm-style rooms or private accommodations including rooms with bunk beds or two-bedroom suites. There are even unique teepee tents (with a double bed inside!) for a fun take on camping. You’ll pay around $30 USD per night for a bed in a dorm room, around $80 USD for a teepee tent, and more in the $100-150 range for suites and family rooms.
Seline also offers outdoor shared kitchen space, a pool, a yoga shala, and exciting events on the weekends. If you are looking to socialize and participate in fun group activities, this is the hostel for you. There is always something going on at the Selina! Start the day with a yoga class at 8 am, try out group fitness activities and wellness classes, or participate in a guided medication.
There is also a co-work option for digital nomads who are looking for longer-term accommodations. They have a separate co-work room with desks that you can set up in. During the weekends, Selina is one of the top places to go for events and parties. With different DJs and themed events, this is the place to go for young travelers looking to dance and let loose. Book your spot here on Booking.com or here on Hostelworld.com.
Playa 506 Beachfront Hostel – $
For a relaxing stay, check into the chill vibe of Playa 506 where you can listen to the ocean as you dream in a hammock. This property walks right out onto the beautiful sandy beachfront of Playa Cocles. With clean rooms and friendly staff who are always willing to help, this is a place where I felt right at home.
This hostel offers convenient group living accommodations including shared kitchen and hangout areas while having a more low-key vibe. Things really quiet down after dinner time here, so if you want to party, you’ll have to head into town. Expect to spend around $27 USD per night when you book a stay here on Booking.com or here on Hostelworld.com.
Getting Around Costa Rica
How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Visiting Cahulita National Park is an absolute can’t-miss experience while in Costa Rica! It boasts all of our favorite parts of this country: the natural outdoor beauty, unique wildlife, and friendly culture. No matter which tour you go on, I know you’ll have a great time!
For further travel inspiration and tips, check out our other Costa Rica blogs. We’ve lived and traveled all over the country and love sharing our experiences. Here are a few related posts that I think you’ll find helpful:
7 Day Costa Rica Itinerary: How to Spend One Week in Costa Rica!
15 Fun Things to do in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
25 EPIC Things to do in Puerto Viejo: Beaches, Wildlife, and More!