How to Get to Cahuita

Air:

Domestic airlines Sansa and Nature Air make the 30-minute flight to and from Limon once daily. The Limon airport is located approximately 26 miles north of Cahuita. From Limon, visitors may rent a car, take the public bus or hop in a taxi for the 60-minute ride to Cahuita.

Car:

See a map of the driving route from San Jose to Cahuita

From San Jose, the 120-mile journey to Cahuita takes between 3.5 and 4.5 hours, depending on traffic and road conditions. Take Route 32 out of San Jose, driving through Braulio Carrillo National Park. Follow the signs to Guapiles, Siquirres and Limon/Puerto Limon. In Limon, turn south on Route 36, following signs to Cahuita.

For more specifics, read our driving directions to Cahuita.

Private Shuttle Transfer:

Private transportation services are also available to the Cahuita/Puerto Viejo area. Air-conditioned, comfortable vans will pick you up at some of Costa Rica’s most popular tourism locations, including Arenal, San Jose and Siquirres. The journey costs approximately $35-$45 each way, and 24-hour advance reservations are required. Contact 1-800-517-7893 for more information.

Tour Transfer:

Several national tour operators offer free transfers as part of their tours – for example, if you pay for a whitewater rafting adventure, your tour operator may be able to pick you up in Arenal and drop you off in the Cahuita area. This is a very economic and convenient transportation method, so be sure to ask tour operators if they offer this service. These transfers must be scheduled in advance.

Public Bus:

Costa Rica’s excellent public bus system services Bribri, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo. In San Jose, all buses depart from the Gran Terminal del Caribe. Tel: 2257-8129

San Jose to Cahuita: $6.59; 6:00, 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00; 4 hours. Departs from the Terminal del Caribe, located on Avenida 13 and Calle Central.

San Jose to Puerto Viejo: $7.66; 6:00, 10:00, 12:00, 2:00, 4:00; 4.5 hours. Departs from the Terminal del Caribe

San Jose to Bribri: $8.35; 6:00, 10:00, 1:30, 3:30; 6 hours. Departs from the Terminal del Caribe

San Jose to Manzanillo: $8.62; 12:00 noon; 4.5 hours. Departs from the Terminal del Caribe

Limon to Puerto Viejo: $2.54; every hour 5:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.; 2.5 hours. Departs from Radio Casino, located at Avenida 4 and Calle 3/4.

Limon to Cahuita: $1.70; 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00, 11:00, 12:00, 1:00, 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00, 6:00; 1 hour. Departs from Radio Casino

Limon to Manzanillo: $3.46; 6:00, 10:30, 1:00, 6:00; 1 hour and 40 minutes. Departs from Radio Casino

Cahuita to San Jose: $6.59; 7:00, 8:00, 9:30, 11:30, 4:30; 4 hours. Departs from south corner of the central park

Puerto Viejo to San Jose: $7.66; 7:00, 8:00, 9:30, 11:30, 4:30; 4.5 hours. Departs from main bus station, located across from the beach.

Manzanillo to San Jose: $8.62; 7:00 a.m.; 4.5 hours. Departs from main street bus station.

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