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Lying on Costa Rica?s stunningly beautiful Caribbean coast and facing the Atlantic Ocean, the Parque Nacional Cahuita is one of the most amazing national parks in the country. Created in 1970 to protect Costa Rica?s biggest coral reef, this national park is located in Limon province, 42 km south of Puerto Limon.

Some 211 km east of the capital city of San Jose, the best way to get to this park is to take the Guapiles Highway to Limon, and from here head south to the village of Cahuita. From the village head a further 6 km south along the road to Puerto Viejo to the town of Puerto Vargas, where the main entrance of the park is located. The best time to visit Cahuita National Park is during the months of March, April, September and October, as it rains less during these months. Mostly wet all of the year, the Parque Nacional Cahuita is a humid tropical zone forest.

Encompassing a land area of just 1,067 hectares, this national park protects over 22,400 hectares of ocean and marine life, and is one of the most gorgeous regions in the entire country. The main attraction of the park is not so much its land, but rather its underwater world, which is home to a fantastic array of marine life and the largest coral reef in Costa Rica. Tourists from all over the world flock to this national park because the fantastic snorkeling and underwater diving opportunities, as well as because of the park?s white sand palm tree lined beaches and crystal clear blue waters, which are ideal for swimming.

Derived from the word ?kawe? which means mahogany and ?ta? which means point, the Parque Nacional Cahuita is the habitat of several ecological zones, including a swamp forest, rainforest, littoral woodlands and costal flora. Home huge variety of marine life, some common underwater inhabitants here include; sea urchins, angel queen fish, blue parrot fish, green turtles, eels, barracudas, sea cucumbers, shrimps, lobsters, sponges, manta rays, remoras, 3 species of sharks and Carey turtles. Among the many mammals found on land are sloths, possums, monkeys, coatimundis, frogs, pacas, iguanas, basilisks, porcupines and several bird species including ibises, herons, gulls and kingfishers.

Although the Cahuita coral reef was badly damaged during an earthquake in 1991, it still includes over 35 species of coral including brain, elkhorn and fan coral, and is a must see when in the area. Another popular attraction of this park is an 18th century shipwreck that lies at the mouth of the River Perezoso. This national park is great as it provides plenty of camping opportunities, with many resorts, hotels and accommodations nearby as well.

Cahuita, Costa Rica is a sleepy Caribbean beach village and the first major tourist destination you will reach heading south out of the city of Limon. Stay in one of the quaint hotels in the area, be it in a nicely appointed room, or in a cozy cabina. The boom going on in Puerto Viejo and the beaches south of Puerto Viejo has in many ways passed Cahuita by. If you decide to visit this Costa Rican town then you can not miss a visit to Cahuita National Park. This ecological area of 2,600 land acres (1,052 hectares) and 55 marine acres (22 hectares) is made up of different types of forest and swamps, and was declared a national park in 1970. The sandy beaches lined with rain forest and the coral reefs offshore are all part of Cahuita National Park. After a major earthquake in 1991 the coral reef emerged almost 3 ft. above sea level.

Cahuita?s coral reef is the only mature coral formation on the Caribbean coastline. Different coral species are found here like the elk horn and the smooth brain. Numerous species of fish inhabit the waters including French angelfish, blue parrotfish, barracuda, and queen angelfish. Green sea turtles also make these waters home. Howler monkeys, raccoons, and white-nosed coatis can easily be seen in the park, so don?t forget to bring your camera. The nearby Estrella River is unfortunately carrying sedimentary deposits that are affecting the coral reef and its life forms. In Cahuita, Costa Rica hotels offer endless fun activities, which include snorkeling, sailing, and we can not forget sport fishing, where you can reel in Snook, Grouper, or the ever challenging Tarpon (which can only be found on the Atlantic Coast and rivers).

This is one of the most laid back villages in Costa Rica. The few dirt and gravel streets here are host to an unhurried parade of pedestrian traffic, parted occasionally by a bicycle, car, or bus. People come to this area for its miles of pristine beaches which stretch both north and south from town and the gorgeous Cahuita hotels. It can rain almost any time of the year here but the most dependable dry season is in September and October. The village traces its roots to Afro-Caribbean fishermen and laborers who settled in this region in the mid-1800s, and today the population is still primarily English-speaking blacks whose culture and language set them apart from other areas of the country. A dialect called ?Patua?; which is a combination of French, Spanish and English words, is also spoken by the locals. Discover the eclectic mix of traditions, activities, and sceneries in this great town, and have a truly unique experience. Contact our travel advisors and create a vacation package that includes a stop in this great Costa Rican town!

Cahuita National Park is located just south of the town of Cahuita, about 43 kilometers south of Lim?n, on the Caribbean coastline in one of the most beautiful and scenic regions in Costa Rica. Its main attractions are the white sand beaches fringed with endless coconut trees, a calm sea of transparent waters and the coral reefs just offshore.

The most attractive feature for divers is the underwater garden of marine life, including several types of coral, such as the brain and elkhorn coral. Also living in this medium are large numbers of very colorful tropical fish and invertebrates, like urchins, sea fans, angelfish, blue parrotfish, barracudas and stingrays, amongst others.

There's also a great variety of land and air animals, such as raccoons, crabs (land and water), howler monkeys, kingfishers, night herons, white-nosed coatis, frogs, toads and snakes.

Most of Cahuita consists of a swamp located in the depression that lies between the coral platform and the mainland. Other habitats in the park are uninundated mixed forest and littoral woodlands. The most interesting feature of the park is a shipwreck located on the north of the mouth of the river Perezoso, which sank in the 18th century and was used to transport slaves.

The Park is located just south of the town of Cahuita, about 43 kilometers south of Lim?n, on the Caribbean coastline.