San José (SJO) to Cahuita

Cahuita is Puerto Viejo’s quieter little sister: a few sandy streets, great Caribbean food and a national park where the trail runs right along the beach. The drive is the same as to Puerto Viejo but 15 minutes shorter.

Plan on 3h 45m to 4h 45m. The unpredictable part is Route 32 through Braulio Carrillo National Park, which is slow in fog and closes after heavy rain. The rest is flat and paved.

Step-by-step directions

1. 1

   Route 32 over Braulio Carrillo

   Head toward Guápiles on Route 32. Expect fog and steep grades through the national park.

2. 2

   Guápiles, Siquirres, Limón

   Flat lowland driving through banana plantations. Follow signs around Limón for Route 36 south.

3. 3

   Route 36 to Cahuita

   About 40 km along the coast. Turn left at the Cahuita sign into the village.

Tolls, fuel & road facts

Hazards to know before you go

• Closures and fog on Route 32 through Braulio Carrillo.
• Container trucks around Limón.
• Potholes and occasional flooding on Route 36.

Stops worth making

• Guápiles

  Halfway stop with food and restrooms.

• Playa Negra

  The black-sand beach at the north end of Cahuita — nice first look at the Caribbean.

Local tips

• Cahuita National Park's Kelly Creek entrance in town is by donation; the Puerto Vargas entrance charges a fee and has parking.
• Keep nothing in your car overnight; use your lodge's gated parking.
• Plan to arrive before dark (about 5:45–6:15 pm year-round). Rural roads have no lighting, few shoulders, and pedestrians, cyclists and animals on the road.