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Cahuita beach. Photo by Andres Madrigal
The original Caribbean vibe in Costa Rica
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Cahuita was once the most developed town on the South Caribbean coast although it has since been eclipsed by Puerto Viejo. But it retains a more Caribbean vibe than the more international Puerto Viejo and the community has strong cultural links to calypso music and authentic Caribbean cooking. It also boasts the main entrance to Cahuita National Park which is one of the jewels of the coast with its beautiful beaches and abundant wildlife.
The town has a wide variety of services including a bank, supermarkets, many restaurants and a wide variety of hotels so many travellers elect to base themselves here for their visit to the South Caribbean coast. Getting south from Cahuita to Puerto Viejo is only practical via the highway so it is not recommended for walking or cycling. But there are frequent buses or it's just 20 minutes by car or taxi. Check the local transport page for more details.
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Puerto Viejo Top Picks
La Casa Del Mango
casamangocahuita.com
A glass tower with 4 bedrooms which can be rented individually or as a vacation rental. Located just steps from the beach in Cahuita. The swimming pool, sundecks, kitchen and tropical garden are all available to guests. 
+506 2755 0173
see reviews on Tripadvisor
View on booking.com
Average room rate: $110
View on map
Financial Services: Banks, etc
Bank of Costa Rica Cahuita
Cahuita Branch of BCR with ATM, money exchange and banking services. +506 2211 1111 View on map
Hotels
Cabinas Ache
Located on the edge of Cahuita National Park, an ideal place for those who want to relax and appreciate the local flora and fauna. Just a few minutes from the center of Cahuita. The white sand beach is just 100 meters away. Comfortable, rustic bungalows have room for 2-4 people equipped with 1 or 2 double beds with mosquito net, fan, bathroom with hot water, fridge, hot water for tea and coffee, hammock, safe. +506 2755 0119 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $50 View on map
Cabinas Caribe Luna
Hotel near the center of Cahuita but without the noise of the street.
Accommodation with a large garden and comfortable well equipped vacation houses. +506 2755 0131 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $60 View on map
Cabinas Jenny
Small affordable beachfront cabinas centrally located in Cahuita. All rooms have ocean view, private balcony, private bath, and fridges. +506 2755-0256 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $30 View on map
Cabinas Palmer
Basic accommodations in the centre of Cahuita +506 2755 0435 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com View on map
Cabinas y Soda Sol y Mar
Sea view, 50 meters from the beach & the Cahuita National Park entrance. Large, clean, basic rooms, sleeps up to 5 people per room. Private bathroom, hot water, fan. Secure parking. Nice sea breeze. Restaurant is open for breakfast & lunch. Owned & operated by the Ferguson family. +506 2755-0418, 2755 0237 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $25 View on map
Cahuita National Park Hotel
A new hotel in Cahuita, ocean breezes, waves... walk out of your room on to the beach . +506 2755-0244 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $56 View on map
Coconut Love Beach House
Two full suites with bedroom with queen bed and mini walk-in closet, bathroom with shower with hot water, full kitchen with fridge and stove/hotplate, coffee maker, blender, toaster, living area with couch and coffee table, balcony with patio furniture and hammock, private tropical garden, ceiling fans free parking, wi-fi, safety box and daily cleaning and full breakfast. +506 8713 2636 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $60 View on map
Coral Hill Bungalows
Lodging consisting of three individual wooden bungalows. The bungalows are less than 200 meters from the beach at Playa Negra. They are just steps to horseback riding, biking, ocean kayaking and surfing. Each contains custom designed rustic style bamboo furniture set in a garden of flowers and birds. +506 2755 0479 / 2755 0554 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $130 View on map
Goddess Garden
Hotel and retreat center (yoga etc) hidden away in the jungle, about 10 min car ride from town. Good for groups, weddings, business trips etc. They sleep up to 50 people, have conference room, restaurant, places for yoga, big rancho, big swimming pool. All inclusive possible. +506 2755 0070, 2755 0541 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $90 View on map
Hotel Atlantida
Quiet, midsize hotel, just steps away from the beach, with a pool and a few basic amenities. The guest rooms have a decidedly rustic feel to them, with pale-yellow stucco walls, red-tile floors, ceiling fans, and plenty of bamboo trim. Each has a small patio with a bamboo screen divider for privacy, which opens onto the hotel's lush gardens. +506 2755-0115 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $40 View on map
Hotel El Encanto
Small high quality hotel 5 minutes walking from the village and close to the Cahuita National Park where sloths, monkeys, birds and other types of wildlife can be seen. The beach is just 100m. Offering 3 tastefully decorated bungalows, an apartment with kitchenette/sat TV and a 3bdrm/3ba fully equipped house. +506 2755-0113 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $60 View on map
Hotel Jaguar
Throughout the 65000m2 property, small gardens and forested sections highlight the omnipresent vegetation with a mixture of well known ornamentals and the fabulous tropical fruits. Rooms are large and comfortable. They all have two Queen Size beds, and a private bathroom. Rooms are available in three price categories. +506 2755-0238 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $44 View on map
Hotel La Diosa
Hotel La Diosa is an ideal Caribbean setting for the discovery of yourself… to be in the Moment…in the Now!! +506 2755-0055 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $75 View on map
Kelly Creek Hotel and Restaurant
Small hotel with 4 spacious rooms right beside the National Park and facing the beach. Restaurant open for breakfast and dinner. Spanish owners Marie-Claude and Andrés. Dinner speciality is Paella (order in advance). +506 2755-0007 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $55 View on map
Kenaki Lodge
A new complex of bungalows and luxury cottages, nestled in the heart of a 6650 m2 tropical garden, facing Large Beach. Haven, Kenaki Lodge offer to rent short or long-term 13 beds divided into three detached bungalows and three guests rooms. +506 2755 0485 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com View on map
Magellan Inn
A small unique elegant hotel, beautifully built exotic construction, spacious and charming. Rooms are comfortable and inviting , ceiling fans, large king-size beds, or twin beds, private terraces over-looking the sunken pool in the ancient coral reef and the lush tropical gardens. 3 rooms have a/c, satellite TV, small fridges and free wi-fi. Located only 200 mtr from the beach and a short 1 1/2 km to Cahuita center and the National Park of Cahuita. This hotel offers all the comforts, yet is situated in the jungle with nature at your doorstep. 2755-0035 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $60 View on map
Playa Negra Guesthouse
Small sea side hotel located at Cahuita's Playa Negra, one km north of the centre of town. Opened in Dec 2008, the hotel offers upscale accommodation consisting of two lovely, fully equipped Caribbean style cottages, three tastefully decorated guest rooms, swimming pool and pool house. The cottages and rooms overlook lush, carefully maintained gardens. For nature lovers, the Cahuita National Park is only a ten minute walk and has hiking trails running adjacent to pristine white sand beaches. 2755-0127 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $80 View on map
Riverside Cabins and Houses
This hotel backs on to Kelly Creek & abounds with wildlife. Beautiful gardens in front and access to the river at the end of the property where you might see raccoons, sloths, Agoutis, Mantled Howlers and White-headed Capuchins, Iguanas and a variety of birds. A resident guide "Peck" is available for private tours. Only a 5 minute walk to the National Park entrance. Variety of rooms and cabins available, some fully equipped with kitchens. 8893 2252, 2755 0148 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $25 View on map
Landmarks, Beaches
Cahuita National Park
The gate is at the town of the Cahuita and the park itself stretches all the way to Playa Negra in Puerto Viejo. see reviews on Tripadvisor View on map
Restaurants & Bars
Cafe del Parquecito
Specializing in crepes. Happy hour. International beers, TV, table games. +506 2755 0279 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on map
Choco Latte
100% natural bread made fresh daily. Serving breakfast with European style espresso. see reviews on Tripadvisor View on map
Cocorico Restaurante
Specialized in homemade cakes, desserts, bread, crepes and ice cream. Also serve pintos, casados, pizzas, pastas, salads and paninis. +506 2755 0409 / 8313 7502 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on map
Miss Edith's
Traditional Caribbean restaurant 2755 0248 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on map
Pizz n' Love
Pizza - Pasta - Chicken
Express Delivery 2755 0317 View on map
Restaurante La Fe
Chef and owner Walter, a Cahuita native, serves up tall tales and tasty meals at this reasonably priced spot. There’s a laundry list of Tico and Caribbean items, but the main draw is anything doused in the restaurant’s spicy-delicious coconut sauce. see reviews on Tripadvisor View on map
Roberto's Restaurant and Tours
Restaurant serving traditional Caribbean food. As well offers tours including snorkeling, National Park tours and fishing. View on map
Sobre Las Olas
Beachfront restaurant with an Italian owner/chef specializing in seafood dishes. 2755 0109 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on map
Schools
Escuela y Colegio Complementaria Cahuita
The Cahuita Complementary School & college is an integrated preparatory school and college, duly recognized by the Ministry of Public Education. +506 2755 0129 View on map
Tours and Activities
Sloth Sanctuary
Sanctuary for orphaned and injured sloths. Informational tours where you can learn about their work and see the sloths including the famous "Buttercup" who has been with them since 1992. Rehabilitated animals are returned to the wild whenever possible. They also offer rooms at the Buttercup Inn which is reserved for guests who take the Insider's Tour. Closed Mondays. 2750 0775 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $100 View on map
Vacation Rentals
La Casa Del Mango
casamangocahuita.com
A glass tower with 4 bedrooms which can be rented individually or as a vacation rental. Located just steps from the beach in Cahuita. The swimming pool, sundecks, kitchen and tropical garden are all available to guests. +506 2755 0173 see reviews on Tripadvisor View on booking.com Average room rate: $110 View on map
Casa Magdalena
This wooden house is nestled into a natural setting of tropical flowers and fruit trees, like mango, grapefruit, banana, lime and avocado. The two story home has 3 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a light and spacious open plan kitchen/dining/living area. The main bedroom has ensuite bathroom and private veranda, overlooking the colourful and leafy garden. The veranda and balcony are invitingly furnished with sofas and hammocks. Fully equipped and well-maintained to ensure a comfortable stay. +506 2755 0119 see reviews on Tripadvisor Average room rate: $70 View on map
Jane from USA.
Puerto viejo vs cahuita.
I spent week in Puerto Viejo four years ago and plan to go back next January for a month. I will be traveling with my brother & sister in law. We are looking for a house that is comfortable and with screens. Any suggestions welcome.
my main question is about Cahuita. I loved Puerto Viejo. My sister in law found a house outside Cahuita that she likes. When I was last in PV, Cahuita was not much of anything
I see that there are now lots of restaurants and hotels but it feels like this has all grown up rapidly the attract the tourist
trade and doesn't have the vibe of PV. Please let know war you think
Thanks
April 10, 2011
margo
I have not spent much time in Cahuita , but it looks nice . There is not too much to do around there as in P.V. Maybe you guys could split your time up ..half in each area. That would be fun , I think! Playa Cocles would be good for the P.V area. It is close enough to town and there are nice beaches nearby also. Hit the farmer's market EARLY saturday in P.V! Have fun!
April 12, 2011