cahuita chocolate tours

Traditional Chocolate Tour

Learn chocolate making and other traditions of the local First Nations

Service Description

Start the tour either at our shop or by getting picked up at your accommodation. Drive 20 minutes to the first stop, the Bri-Bri reserve. Upon arrival you will meet the family in their house and then they will demonstrate various tools they use and create from natural material, harvested from the jungle. Following the first demonstration you will embark on a short hike around their land learning about medicinal plants and walking through the frog nursery. Once you finish the hike you will continue to the traditional chocolate making demonstration. Which includes an explanation of the whole process, from bean to bar! Indulge in the labour involved as well as tasting the end result, washed down with traditional hot chocolate. Yum! On to the second Bri-Bri family, located only 5 minutes away. Upon arrival you will walk through the family's farm passing cacao and other fruit trees. Entering the home you will meet the family. They will offer you samples of naturally flavoured chocolate and medicine that has been extracted from the plants you learned about during the first tour. Finish your visit with a chance to do some target practice with one of their traditional bow and arrows! Once you have visited both families, there will be a short 10-15 minute hike to one of our favourite waterfalls which includes fresh coconut water along the way. Take a refreshing dip under the waterfall or just admire its beauty and the jungle surrounding it. Hike back to the main road to get transported back to Cahuita. *For an extra $15 you can visit an additional waterfall with 40 min hike!

Cancellation Policy

DEPOSIT POLICY At least a 25% deposit is required at time of the reservation (In person bookings). Online bookings, excluding surf packages, require a full payment at time of booking. AGE POLICY Must be 18+. Under 18 years of age must be accompanied by an adult. LANGUAGE POLICY Lessons and activities available in Spanish and English. CANCELLATION POLICY If weather conditions are unfavorable causing cancellation then a rebooking or refund may be given. For bookings made 30 days before time of arrival, client has up to 24 hours to cancel your booking and get a full refund. If the reservation is cancelled after 24 hours from booking then you forfeit 50% of the total cost. For bookings made less than 30 days before time of scheduled arrival, cancellations made by client will forfeit 50% of total cost plus a $20 service fee.

Contact Details

Cahuita Experience Surf School, Experience Surf School, C/ Cahuita, Limón Province, Cahuita, Costa Rica

+506 8378 4764

[email protected]

• (+506) 2750-0150 | [email protected]

Caribbean Museum

& chocolate tour.

The Cacao History in Costa Rica Caribbean. Come and learn with us the real history!

Come and prepare traditional chocolate with your family and friends. From the indigenous to the Afro-descendant culture.

The beliefs related to the manufacture of cocoa. The fruit of the gods.

History of the trade of the Cacao fruit in the Costa Rican Caribbean area.

Pura vida Cacao Trails Tayku Costa Rica

The magnificent natural environment of the CACAO TRAIL TAYKU allows all kinds of activities including walking in the middle of unique tropical botanical collections, observing the birds from the forest of the private reserve offered by Cacao Trails while enjoying the interactive contact with the local culture of the cocoa.

This biological park of the "Paths of Cocoa" offers a surprising experience of communicating with nature. There you can see families of plants and trees typical of local biodiversity. A large selection of animal species is naturally attracted to carefully designed gardens.

Cacao Trails Tayku, Cacao Tour Limón Cahuita Costa Rica

Name (requerido)

Email (requerido)

More Information

Phone: (+506) 2750-0150 (+506) 8353-8455 (+506) 8708-0494

Email: [email protected]

Address: Cahuita, Lim坦n. Costa Rica.

Redes Sociales: Facebook Trip Advisor Instagram

• Restaurante

• Destinations
• Things to Do

Bribri Medicinal Plants and Chocolate Tour

Let Harold know what you think!

Days available

Languages offered, transportation, mobile ticket.

The Watsi Bribri people lived in Costa Rica long before the Spanish arrived. On a visit to the foothills of the Talamanca Mountains, you’ll have the chance to meet the modern-day Bribri and learn about their pre-Columbian culture.

On the first leg of your trip, you’ll hike through the rainforest to a waterfall that’s surrounded by vibrant tropical plants. Keep an eye out for tiny critters — as you explore and take a dip in the pool, you might be able to observe the tiny red frogs that live here. Next, you’ll learn more about the resourcefulness of the Bribri on a visit to a medicinal plants garden. Certain roots, leaves, and barks natural curative properties and a medicine man or woman will let you in on some of their secret cures.

Before the tour ends, you’ll get to meet a Bribri family comprised of five generations. To reach their house, you’ll cross over a hanging bridge and walk through cacao plantation. On the cacao plantation, you’ll see how their ancestors harvested chocolate using pre-Columbian tools and techniques. This part of the tour comes with a taste test of five varieties of chocolate.

The Bribri family will be happy to tell you more about their daily lives and the farming, building, and hunting that makes up the fabric of their lives. Nearly everything they use they obtain from the forest. To cap it off, you’ll get to watch a hunting demonstration.

What to Bring

What's included, similar things to do, talamanca indigenous village half day, culinary & cultural encounters, adventure sports, hidden local gems, photo opportunities, mind & body rejuvenation, easy sightseeing, city-life energy, rugged exploration, rest & relaxation, romantic moments, mind-blowing vistas, off-the-beaten-path exploration.

Sign up to receive the latest news and offers from Anywhere

Your Lucky Tour

Bribri chocolate tour in puerto viejo and cahuita national park, activity level.

The chocolate tour in Puerto Viejo this is not ordinary chocolate tour. You will be on the Watsi reservation with a BriBri indigenous family as our guides, showing you how they make chocolate and use medicinal plants as their way of living. Costa Rica is home to some 12,000 BriBri in the Hone Creek area of Limon and even more throughout the entire Talamanca canton. A few families have opened their doors to welcome tourists into their home so they can share their traditions, cultures, and way of life.

BriBri Chocolate Tour in Puerto Viejo you will be learning about the special role cacao plays in their culture and it was one of the most interesting and enlightening tours you will ever be done. If you’re in the area, a visit to the indigenous communities is a must. Learn about the BriBri way of life as a unique activity in Puerto Viejo.

BriBri Chocolate Tour in Puerto Viejo.

The family you will be visiting is the Catato Lopez Lopez family who lives on the Watsi reservation about 1 hour and 15 minutes from the pier. In addition to chocolate, we also learned about the various medicinal plants the BriBri use.

3-5 generations of BriBri can live in the same community and their clan system is matrilineal, meaning the clan is determined by the mother. Women have a crucial role in the BriBri people as they are the ones who inherit land and prepare cacao, not men.  Duration: 6 hours

 Please contact us.

Gallery Tours

Contact information.

Port Limon, Costa Rica Veragua Rainforest & Canal tour

Combo Tour – Zip Line Tour & Tortuguero Canal

Port Limon, Costa Rica Tortuguero Canals Tour

Port Limon, Costa Rica Jaguar Rescue Center

Banana plantation, coffee, Cocoa, and Jungle boat Ride.

Tortuguero Canal Tour & Cahuita National Park.

Highlight 7 in 1

Chocolate tour and Tortuguero Canal

Canal Boat Ride & Caribbean Sky Walk

• Enter Costa Rica
• Cahuita Tours

Bri Bri Village

Free vacation planning.

The Bri Bri Village Tour will transport you to a place where time has barely altered ancient traditions. This captivating experience includes visiting two indigenous families living in separate villages within two different reserves. Each family will delight in showing you their way of life and sharing their customs with you. The first family will surprise you with their passion for iguanas. The second will take you on a tour of a self sustaining farm where you will have the added benefit of learning all about chocolate cultivation.

You’ll be picked up from your hotel in Cahuita or Pueto Viejo and driven to the Bri Bri reservation approximately a half hour from Puerto Viejo. With your specialized bilingual guide you will visit your first family and their unique iguana farm. When they began to notice the disappearance of the iguana population due to over hunting, they decided to create a habitat for farm raising the endangered iguanas. Over time they have successfully reintroduced thousands of iguanas back into their natural tropical rainforest habitat. You will see how the farm operates from eggs to maturity working to maintain the iguanas’ rightful place in the forest.

Located just north of the Panama border in Limon Province, the Bri Bri reservation is home to one of Costa Rica’s approximate eight indigenous tribes. Many are believed to be descendants of the Mayan civilization. Most speak Spanish yet some continue to speak the original Bri Bri language as well. The villages typically have running water, but electricity is scarce. Living in relative isolation has enabled the Bri Bri to maintain their culture, largely unaffected by the outside world. Not only do they grow their own food and housing materials, but prepare their own medicines from the land. What they cannot grow, they attain by bartering or selling goods to the tourists.

After leaving the first farm you will continue on to a second family living in a different Bri Bri reservation. Here you will see for yourself how the Bri Bri grow cacao, bananas, oranges and plantains which they sell to provide for their families. Other produce grown in this area includes rice, beans, corn and other native crops that they grow to eat. These highly successful self sufficient people believe in the old ways of listening to and respecting the balance of nature.

One of their most sacred beliefs is that chocolate, from the cacao plant, is a divine gift which they use for natural medicine and purification rituals as well as for a source of food. On this part of the tour you’ll be shown their natural farming techniques and taken on a very special journey showing the process of growing and cultivating cacao and turning it into chocolate. You’ll learn their various uses and be invited to sample the tasty results!

You’ll also be taken to a magnificent waterfall where you will have the option to go swimming in a beautiful grotto deep in the rainforest jungle. Be sure to pack your bathing suit. Fresh fruit and water will be provided as refreshments. You’ll want to be sure to bring your camera along to record so many interesting people and places.

This tour is a chance of a lifetime to see a lifestyle that you’ll likely not soon forget. Visiting the Bri Bri Villages makes for an exciting and memorable experience as you delve into a world that has changed very little over the centuries.

Before you return, a freshly grown typical lunch will be served to you consisting of: a meat choice, vegetable, beans and rice, salad, fried banana, coffee and dessert. Bottled water will be offered during the tour to help you stay hydrated, and a bilingual tour guide will assist you to ask any questions you may have. It is suggested you wear comfortable clothes and walking shoes plus bring: sun block, insect repellent, binoculars, camera, hat and rain gear.

What to Bring

• Insect Repellent
• Bathing Suit
• And Rain Gear

Location and Availability

The Bri Bri Village is available from Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Punta Uva

• Learning Family

Cancellation Policy

Bri Bri Village: Cancellation Policy

Latitude: N 9° 37' 37.75" Longitude: W 82° 50' 40.08"

• Overall 93.5% (15 Guest Ratings)
• Experience: 94%
• Expectations: 94%
• Guides: 96.7%
• Logistics: 89.3%
• Value: 95.3%

Same restaurant, but a better experience this go around... still would prefer to meet at a different restaurant.

Amazing. I encourage anyone traveling to seek out an experience like this. So grateful for the last minute booking.

This was a great tour, the best of the trip. Our guide was knowledgeable about the village, and the people from the village were so interesting despite our language issues were able to be informative. Making the chocolate was the best, but we learned alot about the village, loved the waterfall and feeding the iguanas too. I was the most apprehensive about this tour and it turned out to be the best!

We were late being picked up. We had to hang around at the office for 40 + minutes before we got away on the tour. Lunch was late being served and by the time we got back from our half day tour it was after 4pm

Due to rain it seemed the snorkelling tours would come with us so we were held up while that was sorted which I wasn't thrilled about. In the end it was just us so that was great. The tour was excellent.

A very knowledgeable guide (Antonio), and demonstrations of chocolate making and use of indigenous plants very interesting.

Our guide, Edder, was great. This was a terrific tour.

14 Epic Things to do in Cahuita, Costa Rica

Costa Rica is a charming central American country with great weather, jungles, a beautiful landscape, and amazing surf.

It has gorgeous coast beaches, picturesque towns, and so much adventure to be had. Cahuita is a Caribbean coastal town near the border of Panama. It ’ s about a 4 and a half-hour drive from San Jose, the capital of Costa Rica.

It is the perfect place to relax but also go on some amazing adventures. There are plenty of awesome and epic things to do in Cahuita.

It is by far one of my favorite beach towns in Costa Rica. Being not as well known to tourists and off the beaten path it has the perfect small-town feel.

Cahuita offers an authentic experience into the life of Costa Ricans. The laid-back vibe can ’ t be beaten.

Making it the perfect location for relaxing, slowing down, and experiencing what this beautiful place in the world has to offer.  

Let’s look at the Epic Things to do in Cahuita

1. cahuita national park.

By far the best thing in Cahuita is their national park. It is just a 5-minute walk from downtown. The park was started as a way to protect the coral reefs off the coastline, but later became a national park to protect the 2,800 acres of land.

There you will see sloths, monkeys, and lizards among colorful, bright birds. There are many trails for exploring and checking out the wildlife.

As always I recommend hiring a guide. It will allow you to see the most wildlife possible and the best chances of spotting a sloth.

It is also a good idea to consider snorkeling in the park since it is a protected reef. There are over a hundred different species of fish and over 30 different coral species.

Some of the sea life you could possibly spot includes manta rays, eels, sea urchins, starfish and of course many bright colorful fish.

It ’ s also a popular nesting spot for turtles, so you may get lucky and see those as well.

Snorkeling in the national park must be done with a guide to continue to protect the reef. It ’ s well worth exploring the beautiful and un pique sea life.

There are over 55,000 acres of protected marine life and ecosystems.

You can also spend some time relaxing on the beach and enjoying the amazing wildlife, flora, and beautiful ocean views.

There are great hiking trails including one that will take you to a shipwreck from the 18th century. You can also rent a bike, kayak, or surfboard. There are many adventures to be had in Cahuita National Park which makes it the perfect day trip.  

2. Experience the Culture

There is an indigenous group living near Cahuita that has occupied the lands for hundreds of years. Visiting the Bri Bri group is a great opportunity to learn about their way of life and experience their culture.

Tours of this group include visiting a waterfall where you can swim. You will also check out the different crafts, and making chocolate which is very important to their history.

It ’ s a very authentic experience to hear the local language, which is different from Spanish. Also learning how they cook their food and learning about their history makes for a fun-filled educational day.

3. Grab a Bite to Eat

There is also an Afro-Caribbean influence in Cahuita so you must try some amazing cuisine, which is different from normal Costa Rica meals.

Some of the best food includes jerk and curried meats as well as an array of seafood and a popular choice is the dessert crepes usually made with bananas, strawberries, and chocolate. My favorite dish to eat in Cahuita is by far the coconut ceviche. Don’t leave without trying it.

Costa Rican Caribbean food is characterized by spices and zest to satiate the taste buds. There aren ’ t any fancy restaurants in this coastal town but you ’ ll find some great authentic places to grab a bite to eat and will truly eat like a local.

4. Visit the Reggae Bar

Known as a popular spot in town, the Reggae Bar is a great place to unwind at night and grab some food and a drink.

You can dance along to reggae music and some nights even have live performers. The food is great here and the vibe is laid back and very energetic.  

This is a hot spot that you can’t miss while you are in Cahuita.

5. Go on a Chocolate Tour

Chocolate is an important part of Costa Rican history and Cahuita is no different. Going on a chocolate tour allows visitors the chance to learn about the process of making chocolate.

The best part about a chocolate tour is getting to sample all the delicious chocolate at the end.

A local guide will walk you through the chocolate plantation so you can learn what it takes to create cacao.  

6. Swim and Relax on the Beach

The beaches are powdery soft black sand and look out on the beautiful turquoise waters. Cahuita is home to some of the best black sand beaches in Costa Rica .

Playa Negra is an amazing black sand beach that upholds the highest ecological standards with its Blue Flag.

It ’ s a popular beach in Cahuita due to the unique hue of the dark-colored sand but it ’ s still never overly crowded.

If you ’ ve never been to a black sands beach you ’ ll be effortlessly amazed and you must visit.

You can also visit Playa Blanca. Which is the beach at Cahuita National Park that visitors can relax on and swim in the ocean.

It ’ s a beautiful white sand beach that is very underdeveloped and not crowded by people. Sometimes you can even catch animals wandering around.

If you plan on doing a little beach hoping you can also check out Playa Grande. It is a beautiful beach as well and since Cahuita is a small coastal town, the beaches are never too crowded.

Enjoy some nice relaxing and quiet time in the sand, while adding beach hopping to your things to do in Cahuita list.

7. Horseback Riding

At Brigette ’ s Horse Ranch was founded in 1983 and is located on Playa Negra. Here you will have the opportunity of horseback riding on the beach and in the jungle. This is a wonderful opportunity, to get the best of both worlds.

It ’ s also a great place to stay during your trip to Cahuita in one of the cabins on the ranch. There are opportunities to go kayaking, snorkeling, on a chocolate tour, and even on a jungle tour at night.  

Surfing is what brought me to Costa Rica. It is a popular activity in Costa Rica because the waves are great and the water is warm.

Many people overlook Cahuita because there are so many epic spots to surf in Costa Rica, but it has some great spots for surfing.

Playa Negra is the best surfing beach in Cahuita. You can even take private surfing lessons if you ’ re new to the sport.  

Check out other hot surfing towns in Costa Rica .

9. Shopping

There are some authentic shops downtown with amazing arts and crafts.

These unique pieces can be great memorabilia of your time in Cahuita. It ’ s always a great idea to support local artists. It is a great way to give back to the communities where you travel to.

It’s also enjoyable to see the way things are made, the colors, and the types of art in various places around the world.  

10. Visit the Sloth Sanctuary

The Sloth Sanctuary is definitely a favorite place to visit in the area. It ’ s the first rescue center for sloths in Costa Rica. Here abandoned and injured sloths are able to live and be rehabilitated.

Since 1997, many sloths have been cared for and when possible even released back into the wild.

The center aims to protect sloths while also educating visitors on how sloths live and conserve the rainforest to protect sloths and other animals.

Be sure to check out these tips when visiting the sloth sanctuary .

11. Snorkeling

Cahuita offers some amazing snorkeling opportunities, mainly due to the fact that it is a protected reef. . Several tour companies will take you by boat to some really unique and beautiful spots.

The sea life is colorful and plentiful and you will be amazed by the things you see. It’s a great way to gain a new perspective on Costa Rica.  

Plus who doesn’t want to spend their day swimming in the ocean and admiring all the beauty the ocean has to offer.

12. Jaguar Rescue Center

Located about a 20-minute ride from downtown Cahuita is the Jaguar Rescue Center.

Although you are not likely to jaguars there, you a likely to see loads of other animals. The jaguar rescue center focuses on rehabilitating the animals so they can be released back into the wild.

It ’ s a unique opportunity to see wildlife up close and personal. So if you were wanting to get up close and personal with monkeys, sloths, birds, and wild cats, visit the Jaguar Rescue Center.

This is a great thing to do in Cahuita for all animal lovers.

13. Go Hiking

There are so many amazing jungle trails in Cahuita worth trying.

The flora and fauna are quite lush and you might also get to see some animals, birds, insects, and lizards.

Make sure to stay on the trails for your safety and don ’ t venture too far into the jungle.

The public trail in Cahuita makes this town so amazing. Be sure to check them out and go exploring.

14. Day Trip to Puerto Viejo

Located just over a 15-minute drive from Cahuita, is the hippie town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca.

It is a popular destination because of its coastal setting, rasta environment, and nightlife. You can do a lot of similar activities including a chocolate tour, surfing, and snorkeling but it ’ s always nice to visit a different place when traveling.

Puerto Viejo is something new to experience. It would also make a great place to go out and meet new people if you need a little more club and bar scenes than Cahuita can offer. It is what the local folk call in Cahuita “The big city”, but by no means is it.

Additional Reasons to Visit Cahuita

In addition to the beautiful coastal beaches, lush green jungle, and amazing landscape of Cahuita, it ’ s a great place to visit for various other reasons.

For one, there are a lot fewer tourists here than in other major cities in Costa Rica, you won ’ t find the beaches or streets to be too inundated with people.

This also creates a much more authentic atmosphere where you won ’ t find much commercialization.

The food is authentic and very fresh. Restaurants and places to stay in Cahuita offer far better prices because it is less touristy,  which are great if you ’ re looking for a more cultural experience.

Cahuita isn ’ t too big so it ’ s enjoyable to walk around and get to know the area. It ’ s truly a beautiful and relaxing place to visit in Costa Rica.

You ’ ll love Cahuita and can ’ t go wrong with a trip here. Hopefully, some of the items on this list have inspired you to visit this beautiful coastal town. There is so much to do and your trip to Cahuita awaits you!

When to Visit Cahuita

Costa Rica has two very contrasting seasons, wet and dry. For the most part, Costa Rica’s wet season is from May to November and the dry season is from December to April, this is mainly for the Pacific side which tends to be more popular.

However, Cahuita is a little different in the sense, it can make for the perfect destination when the Pacific side of Costa Rica is too rainy. Typically September and October and usually receive more rain when the Pacific side is dry.

I love Costa Rice in the rainy season. Everything is lush and green. It also makes for the perfect excuse to have an afternoon nap, since it typically only rains for about an hour in the early to late afternoon.

The jungle will be in its prime during the wet season because the rain helps make it as lush, green, and healthy as possible.

However, no matter what time of year you visit, you will fall in love small coastal town.

If you enjoy off-the-beaten-path locations, and nature and want to completely unwind on holiday this is the spot for you. There is still plenty of things to do in Cahuita, while completely letting go.

Essential Items not to Forget When Visiting Cahuita

Before heading out to Costa Rica you are going to want to ensure you have a few items in your bag to make your vacation more enjoyable.

• Bug Bands – These are a great alternative to dealing with Bug Spray. Put one on and you are good for 3 days
• Reusable Filtered Water Bottle – The water in Costa Rica is perfectly safe to drink, but why not have that extra protection without having to buy bottled water the whole time?
• Sunscreen Face Stick – These are perfect to throw in your day bag and reapply without having to carry around sunscreen everywhere

For more ideas on what to pack for Costa Rica .

Related Content

• Tipping in Costa Rica
• Best Surf Resorts in Costa Rica
• Unique Hotels in Costa Rica

Related Posts

Top 11 Things To Do In Quepos, Costa Rica

Cheapest Place To Live In Costa Rica 2023

Tipping in Costa Rica: How much you should Tip

2 thoughts on “14 epic things to do in cahuita, costa rica”.

You might want to update. The butterfly centre has been closed for years now. Just FYI

Shame… Thank you for the update. I will change this : )

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Home » Destinations » Caribbean Coast » Puerto Viejo » 5 Best Cahuita National Park Tours

5 Best Cahuita National Park Tours

By Author Costa Rica Travel Life

Posted on Last updated: August 10, 2024

This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.

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 trails with a local guide. Check out all the positive reviews and reserve this tour here !

Tip: Book this tour in advance and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!

1. Small Group Cahuita National Park Tour with Waterfall Visit

• 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. Cahuita National Park Hiking Tour

• 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
• 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 Cahuita National Park so you’re well prepared!

3. 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 )

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 rent 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 .

4. Full-Day Small Group Tour of Cahuita, Bri-Bri, and Ma-Cu

• Price: $140 USD 
• Duration: 7-8 hours 
• 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 
• Rating: 5 Stars ( check the reviews here )

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 

• Price: $122 USD 
• Duration: 6 hours
• 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
• Rating: 4.5 Stars ( check 40+ reviews here )

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 don’t see how you could do this any cheaper by yourself, especially given the cost of renting 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, pool, 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 also a co-work option for digital nomads who are looking for longer-term accommodations. Book your spot here on Booking.com or 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.

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.

Book your travel insurance with SafetyWing here!

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!