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Caribbean


Costa Rica’s Caribbean coastline, the least visited yet maybe the most beautiful section of Costa Rica. Extending from the northern border with Nicaragua southward to the border with Panama, the lush Caribbean region of Costa Rica offers adventure seekers as well as nature lovers a land filled with indescribable natural riches. From unbelievable pristine white sand beaches to lush tropical rainforest teeming with countless species of wild life, the Costa Rica Caribbean coastline is just waiting to be discovered.

The gateway to Costa Rica’s Caribbean region is the port city of Puerto Limon, a three hour drive from Costa Rica’s capital city of San Jose will take travelers over the Central Mountain Range, passing through Zurqui Tunnel, the only tunnel to be found in the country, dense tropical rainforest will give way to banana plantations and palm tree lined roads leading to Puerto Limon. Puerto Limon is also home to Costa Rica’s only Caribbean cruise port.

Playa Puerto Viejo, Caribbean, Costa RicaThe Costa Rica Caribbean region can be divided into two main areas; the northern Caribbean coastline is home to some of the best wildlife viewing in all of Costa Rica, home to two of the country’s finest national parks, Tortuguero National Park and Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. Travel to Tortuguero is mainly from Puerto Limon via excursion boats or from San Jose by air. Several lodges will make arrangements to pick up their guest in Puerto Limon. Tortuguero National Park is inundated year round by migrating turtles, June to November will find upwards of 30,000 green turtles making their way onshore to lay their eggs, while the months of February till July will see Giant Leatherback turtles nesting along the same beaches. Headed north from Tortuguero National Park is Barra del Colorado National Wild Refuge extending north to the Nicaraguan border. With less amenities than Tortuguero the area is mainly known for its fishing.

Suggested Trip Costa Rica Caribbean RegionThe southern Caribbean coastline is known for its clear blue waters attracting snorkelers and beachcombers alike. Cahuita National Park, with its many coral reefs is a big draw. The southern Caribbean area host some of Costa Rica’s most unspoiled rainforests, nature lovers will find Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve a treasure drove of wildlife. Puerto Viejo, just 30 minutes south of Cahuita National Park is known for its Caribbean flavor, with descendants of Jamaican heritage that came to work the banana plantations and Costa Rica’s railroad during the late 1800’s , the area is deep in Creole traditions that travelers will find evident in the local food, music and Mardi Gras celebrations. The end of the road leads to Manzanillo, the southernmost reaches of the Caribbean coastline is an area that time has forgotten. Adventure seekers will find Gandoca-Manzanillio Wildlife Refuge the perfect launching point for adventures into the jungles, with boating, horseback riding or just hiking to enjoy this area rich in wildlife and scenery that should wet any appetite.


Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast sees the heaviest of the countries rainfall, over 200 inches of rain a year is not uncommon for this region , yet compared to the rest of the country, the rain is spread out through the year. July and December will find the heaviest months with August through October the least amount. Temperatures will average 75 to 85 degrees year round and are kept pleasant by tropical winds coming from the Caribbean waters.

 

Filed Under: Cahuita, Cahuita National Park, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Featured, Gandoca, Limon, Manzinillo

Cahuita National Park


Costa Rica is world renowned for its bio-diversity which is showcased in the Cahuita National Park. This diverse habitat of pristine beaches, mangroves, marshland and lush rainforest was originally opposed by the local populace. They were persuaded by Alvaro Ugalde to create this sanctuary of botany, culture and wildlife.

One of the least developed areas in Costa Ricais the Cahuita National Park. It is home to numerous species of birds, animals, marine life and is the nesting ground for three species of turtles. Eco-tourists will be awestruck by the endemic flora and fauna. Hike the trails of this nature preserve and catch a glimpse of iguanas, sloths, capuchin monkeys, green ibis, kingfishers and herons. Water enthusiasts can charter a boat and dive on the multicolored reefs that teem with an extraordinary variety of sea creatures such as the blue parrotfish, sea urchins and angel fish. You can also imagine yourself as a treasure hunter while exploring two sunken wrecks that are believed to have carried slaves from Africa. Established in 1970 to protect the offshore coral reef, this sanctuary now includes lowlands, shoreline and rainforests.

Beaches of Cahuita National Park, Costa RicaCultural tourists will enjoy exploring the nearby villages of Puerto Viejo and Cahuita. The multicultural backdrop is influenced by a Caribbean flare. The diverse community includes locals and expatriates from North America and Europe. This results in an eclectic mix of cuisine and music. Diners can enjoy French and Italian delights or sample the local spicy seafood dishes while being serenaded by Caribbean rhythms.

To reach the park, rent a car and travel the main highway from the capital of San Jose to Limon before turning south to Cahuita. You can also take one of several daily buses that connect San Jose and Cahuita. The main entrance to the park is approximately four hundred meters south of the village. You can walk, drive or take a local bus to the entrance. There is a secondary gate near the Puerto Vargas Administrative Center. The tropical climate is hot and humid with the dry season extending from mid-February through April.


Cahuita National Park is located in one of the most beautiful and scenic areas along Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. Visitors to the park will be amazed by the mix of white sand beaches, coconut groves, wildlife and underwater wonders.

Filed Under: Cahuita, Cahuita National Park, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Featured, National Parks, Travel Photos

Cahuita, Costa Rica


Cahuita is a small, secluded village in the southern part of Costa Rica on the Caribbean coast and it is 43 kilometers or 27 miles from Puerto Limón. Most of Cahuita’s 4000 people are of Jamaican heritage, many having migrated in the early part of the 20th century to work on the banana plantations.

Weather in Cahuita is very rainy and hot but there is a period of time when it is a little less rainy. Between the middle of February and April there is less rain, and sometimes it rains less during September and October. The sun shines more than 12 hours a day in Costa Rica.Cahuita National Park, Cahuita, Costa RicaOn the coast, there is a beach with black sand and a beach with white sand. Between them is one of the best coral reefs in Costa Rica. Cahuita is the gateway to Cahuita National Park which is 2,635 acres, with one tenth of that being offshore. It was formed in 1970 in order to protect the coral reef there. It contains a beach with white sands and marvelous coral reefs. Snorkeling is excellent here and there are hiking trails. Camping is allowed in one section of the park but there are no facilities. The habitat there is a rain forest and some of the animals are: blue fiddler crabs, herons, toucans, ibis, iguanas, monkeys, sloths, tamandua, and coati.The Tree of Life Wildlife Rescue Center and Botanical Gardens rescues displaced animals, rehabilitates them, and returns them to the wild, if possible. They also breed turtles and iguanas and place them in the wild. There are 10 acres of gardens that include native plants, palms, bromeliads, heleconias, and more. They are closed in May, June, September, and October.

11 kilometers from Cahuita is the Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Sanctuary. It was established to protect and rehabilitate sloths. During the tour, you will go on a canoe ride in the rainforest, return to the education center to learn about sloths, and then meet some of the babies.


Another attraction is Willie’s Tours where you can tour the Bri Bri Reserve and learn about pre-Columbian culture and cocoa processing. Another choice is rafting on the Pacaure River or hiking through the rainforest. Other guided adventures include snorkeling, fishing, or dolphin watching.

If you wish to spend the night in Cahuita, you will find five hotels there. They are the Atlantida Lodge, Hotel Magellan Inn, Hotel National Park Cahuita, Playa Negra Guesthouse, and Suizo Loco Lodge.

Filed Under: Cahuita, Caribbean, Costa Rica, Featured, Limon, Manzinillo, Travel Photos