Cahuita National Park, Puerto Viejo de Limón, Manzanillo
Cahuita National Park: The main entrance to this National Park is located approximately 5 km south of the town of the same name in the Puerto Vargas sector on the road to Puerto Viejo. The park is located on a small dirt road and is populated by mangroves and rainforest. A trail leads from Puerto Vargas to the town of Cahuita; parts of the trail are very close to the ocean and often flooded. The variety of species in this small park is limited due to the lack of fresh water. However, with a little luck, you can see sloths, monkeys, raccoons, and various reptiles. The town of Cahuita is visited primarily by young backpackers. Entrance fee US$6 pp.
Puerto Viejo: This small town has developed in recent years into a popular attraction with good infrastructure. Even the downtown streets have been paved.
Around the center are numerous guesthouses and hotels. The most expensive hotels and the most beautiful beaches are located further south of Puerto Viejo on the road to Gandoca/Manzanillo, where you’ll also find a wide variety of restaurants of all kinds.
Uva Beach/Punta Uva: Located about 6 km south of Puerto Viejo, it is, in our opinion, one of the most beautiful beaches in the southern Caribbean of Costa Rica. The beaches are lined with palm trees and the sand is fine and clear.
Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve: This reserve of approximately 9,000 hectares is located on the steep slopes of the Talamanca Mountain Range. The reserve features mostly premontane rainforest and has been largely unexplored. The trails are unmarked. A guided tour can be arranged from Puerto Viejo.
Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge: Located in one of the most beautiful coastal areas of the Southern Caribbean, the Gandoca/Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge is located about 20 km south of Puerto Viejo. Access is via a gravel road. It covers approximately 5,000 hectares of land and 4,400 hectares of sea, and is home to one of the most beautiful coral reefs in the country. The land consists of grass and forest and is home to crocodiles, tapirs, and pacas. There are almost no accommodations or supplies available; the “Almendros y Corales” Campground is recommended, as it also organizes tours to the surrounding area.
