Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Activities
Hiking
An easily navigable 8km
coastal trail
leads through the jungle from Kelly Creek to Puerto
Vargas. At times the trail follows the beach; at other times hikers are 100m or so away
from the sand. At the end of the first beach, Playa Blanca, hikers must ford the dark Río
Perezoso, or 'Sloth River,' which bisects Punta Cahuita. Inquire about conditions before
you set out: under normal conditions, this river is easy enough to wade across, but during
periods of heavy rain it can become impassable since it serves as the discharge for the
swamp that covers the point.
The trail continues around Punta Cahuita to the long stretch of Playa Vargas. It ends at
the southern tip of the reef, where it meets up with a road leading to the Puerto Vargas
ranger station. Once you reach the ranger station, it's another 1.5km along a gravel road to
the park entrance. From here, you can hike the 3.5km back to Cahuita along the coastal
highway or catch a ride going in either direction.
Swimming
Almost immediately upon entering the park, you'll see the 2km-long
Playa Blanca
stretching along a gently curving bay to the east. The first 500m of beach may be unsafe
for swimming, but beyond that, waves are generally gentle. (Look for green flags marking
safe swimming spots.) The rocky Punta Cahuita headland separates this beach from the
next one,
Playa Vargas
. It is unwise to leave clothing or other belongings unattended
when you swim.
Snorkeling
Parque Nacional Cahuita contains one of the last living coral reefs in Costa Rica. While
the reef represents some of the area's best snorkeling, it has incurred damage over the
years from earthquakes and tourism-related activities. In an attempt to protect the reef
from further damage, snorkeling is only permitted with a licensed guide. The going rate
for one person is about US$25.
You'll find that conditions vary greatly, depending on the weather and other factors. In
general, the drier months in the highlands (from February to April) are best for snorkeling
