a popular stop for many travelers<\/a> but it is nowhere near as crowded as other spots along the coast. Most travelers stop here to visit the national park with the same name (which is what I did). <\/p>\nThe town itself is very small (it’s home to under 9,000 people) and it’s predominantly made up of small restaurants and guesthouses \u2014 not tour shops and bars like you’d find in Puerto Viejo. The region is known for its Afro-Caribbean influences, which you might notice in the food and local culture as you chill out with some dessert crepes or grilled chicken.<\/p>\n
But the national park is the real highlight here. And it was amazing.<\/p>\n
Covering over 2,600 acres on land and with a marine area of 55,000 acres, it’s not surprising that the park is home to an incredible amount of nature and wildlife. Blue crabs, monkeys, lizards, possums, and more all call the region home. There are over 35 types of coral in the reefs within the park and there are around 135 different types of fish \u2014 which you can see if you go snorkeling in the area. The beaches are also a nesting ground for sea turtles.<\/p>\n
It’s a literal paradise.<\/p>\n
The park itself opened in 1970 and obtained national park status by 1978. It’s the only national park in the country that does not charge admission (though donations are welcome). If you ask me, it’s a must-visit spot for anyone traveling around the country.<\/p>\n
Here’s everything you need to know to visit Cahuita National Park.<\/p>\n
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My Experience at Cahuita National Park<\/h3>\n
To give you a sense of what the park is like, here’s a short video from my first visit back in 2011:<\/p>\n
![\"scenic](\"https:\/\/media.nomadicmatt.com\/2023\/cahuitacostarica.jpg\")
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