For nature and wildlife lovers, Cahuita is a fantastic park to visit if you are staying in the Puerto Viejo area in Costa Rica. The park is about a 20 minute drive from town. You can do the park on your own if you prefer but I would recommend hiring a guide as they will be able to spot some animals that you never would have guessed were in a certain location as many are camouflaged within the forest.

The most important thing to bring to the park is your binoculars as many of the species are up high in the trees and it can be difficult to see them with the naked eye especially if they are a bit far from your standing point. I got to see various iguanas, snakes, monkeys, raccoons, turtles, spiders, birds and sloths. If you visit the park during nesting season, you can see turtles and their hatchlings on the beach in Cahuita.

Cahuita is close to the Panama border. If you are coming from Panama such as in the Bocas del Toro area and are heading to Costa Rica, make a stop in Puerto Viejo to visit the park.