Postcard perfect beaches. That’s what you can be sure of finding in Cahuita National Park. Probably some wildlife too if you’re lucky.

Cahuita National Park, Costa Rica. Photo credit: Benjamin White

Cahuita National Park

Cahuita National Park is a small coastal reserve, just 1,000 hectares in size, located in southeast Costa Rica, not far from the border with Panama. It might be small, but it has much to offer. Hike for an hour or two along the beach trek and you’ll feel like you’re on a deserted island.

Your own deserted island.

In the Caribbean.

Playa Blanca, Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Benjamin White

The hike starts from the town of Cahuita. Register in the park office on Playa Blanca (White Beach) before setting off. There is no fee to enter the park, but a donation is expected.

The hiking trail, Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Amrita Ronnachit

Once inside the park you can choose to walk along the beach or on a trail through the littoral rainforest. The beach is spectacular, but the jungle is where you’ll spot wildlife

White-headed Capuchin, Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Benjamin White

I managed to spot quite a bit of wildlife on my hike, including monkeys, agouti, toucans, and iguanas. If you’re keen to see monkeys make sure to spend plenty of time scanning the canopy.

Mantled Howlers, Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Benjamin White

We saw at least four groups of monkeys, but we met others who walked the track at almost the same time as us and saw none. Keep yours eyes peeled. I spent so much time looking at the canopy I got a neck ache.

Photo credit: Benjamin White

The best time to see animals is at sunrise, but if you’re like me, and not much good before 9am, there’s still hope.

Photo credit: Benjamin White

Monkeys aren’t the only things in the canopy. It’s also where you’ll spot iguanas (the one I saw was too high up and too obscured by foliage to warrant a photograph) and squirrels. The squirrel in the photo is feasting on a crab that it just plucked off the beach.

Agouti, Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Benjamin White

Agouti, a relative of guinea pigs, are shy creatures. This one was seen way off in the distance drinking at the edge of creek. It bolted as soon as I moved towards it.

Basilisk Lizard. Photo credit: Benjamin White

Basilisk lizards, found throughout Central America, are also known as Jesus Christ Lizards due to their ability to walk on water.

Friendly stingray, Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Benjamin White

A friendly stingray showed up while I was taking this photo of the beach. It cruised past me a few times, showing no fear, before heading out to the reef.

Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Amrita Ronnachit

While the beach looks postcard perfect the entire length of the trek, much of it is enclosed by reef, and thus it can be very shallow and awkward to swim in. The best places for swimming are at the start of the hike at Playa Blanca, and near the end of the hike at Playa Puenta Vargas.

Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Benjamin White

For those who wish to snorkel, make note that you can only do so with a guide. The reef systems in Costa Rica have sustained serious damage over the years, the staff at Cahuita National Park are doing what they can to preserve this one.

Cahuita National Park. Photo credit: Benjamin White

The hike is only eight kilometres in length, but it gets mighty hot during the middle of the day, so bring plenty of water with you. There are no shops, and no public infrastructure.

It’s just you and your own deserted island.

Practical information and how to reach Cahuita National Park:

There are several public buses that make the trip between Cahuita and San Jose every day. Trip time is 4 hours. More transport info here.

More on Costa Rica:

Tenorio Volcano NP – how blue is Río Celeste in the wet season?

San José – it’s safe, w/ a bounty of jade, but is it worth a visit?

More on Central America:

Nicaragua:

Granada – sacked by Captain Morgan, ravaged by William Walker  

Ometepe – watch lenticular clouds form over Volcán Concepción

Panama:

Portobelo – pirates, pirates, and more pirates

Honduras:

Copán, Honduras – cashed up Mayan outpost builds Hieroglyphic Stairway

Lago de Yojoa, Honduras – dangerous? no! sleepy, serene, safe? yes!

More of my favourite beaches:

Anse Source d’Argent, La Digue, Seychelles – is it the perfect beach?

Kilili Beach, Saipan – swim with WWII tanks

Secret Lagoon Beach, El Nido, Philippines – the true setting of Alex Garland’s ‘The Beach’

Lopes Mendes Beach, Ihla Grande – is it Brazil’s most beautiful beach?

Brownes Beach, Barbados – aquamarine waters walking distance from Bridgetown 

Or visit my top 10 beaches page.