Cahuita National Park (Kelly Creek)
Trail · Caribbean Coast
The donation-only entrance to Cahuita National Park at the edge of town: a flat beachside trail through the forest where sloths, howler monkeys and raccoons are very likely sightings.
- Cost
- about $2
- Time there
- 3 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 8 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 6 / 10
- Swimming
- 7 / 10
- Effort
- 2 / 10
- Location
- 9.7363, -82.839 — Google Maps
Tip
Walk the 3 km to Punta Cahuita and back before the midday heat. Bring cash for the donation plus your own water and snacks; there are no services inside.
Be careful
Monkeys and raccoons snatch food, so keep bags zipped. Single-use plastic isn't allowed, and the trail to Punta Cahuita closes around 2 pm.
Places nearby
- Soda KaweSodas & Local FoodBudget-friendly soda right by the Cahuita National Park entrance, good for gallo pinto and fruit plates before a hike or a casado after it.
- DelRita PattyFood & CoffeeTiny family stand on Cahuita's main road selling Caribbean patís, baked pastries with beef or sweet pineapple filling, until they sell out; visitors say it is worth going early.
- Aroma Coffee Bar & BreakfastFood & CoffeeCozy coffee bar in the middle of Cahuita serving brewed coffee and breakfast, with a mix of classic plates and local twists; a good first stop before the national park.
- Jungle Night Walk CahuitaParks & WildlifeSmall guided night walk near Cahuita led by a naturalist guide who finds frogs, snakes and tarantulas along the trail, including a river crossing in places.
- Cahuita ToursParks & Wildlife · from $55Local operator in Cahuita running snorkeling, wildlife hikes and cultural tours with the Bribri community, built around Cahuita National Park and the Afro-Caribbean history of the town.
- Cahuita's Taste Caribbean Soul FoodFood & CoffeeChef Doria Sequeira Sellers cooks Afro-Caribbean home food in Cahuita: coconut-braised rice and beans with seafood, marlin in her own Caribbean sauce and Caribbean meat pies.
Sources: OpenStreetMap node/5636207121 · https://jameskaiser.com/costa-rica-guide/parks/cahuita/ · https://mytanfeet.com/costa-rica-national-park/cahuita-national-park-costa-rica/ · https://www.costaricavibes.com/complete-guide-cahuita-national-park/ · https://www.openstreetmap.org/node/5636207121


