Parque Nacional Cahuita Snorkeling Tour: Coral Reefs & Hike

Snorkel among coral reefs, hike through coastal forest, then meet sloths up close.

A full-day snorkeling and hiking tour in Parque Nacional Cahuita on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, combining two reef sessions with a 1.5-hour guided walk through coastal forest and a canoe tour at a sloth sanctuary. The tour includes park entry, lunch, and hotel pickup from Puerto Viejo, with a live guide in English or Spanish.

The experience

Parque Nacional Cahuita holds the largest coral reef system in Costa Rica, home to six species of coral, colorful tropical fish, and occasional reef sharks and stingrays that pose no threat. A 20-minute boat ride takes you out for two snorkeling sessions where you move through the water at your own pace, seeing the reef up close. After snorkeling, you're dropped at Punta Cahuita for a fruit and snacks break on the beach before the day shifts inland.

From there, a guide leads a 1.5-hour hike through the coastal forest covering 3.5 kilometers. Monkeys, sloths, birds and iguanas are common sightings, and the guide provides context on what you're seeing. Breakfast follows the hike, then the group drives to the Sloth Sanctuary, where you learn about sloth anatomy, diet and behavior. A canoe tour through the sanctuary's channels lets you see the animals and forest from the water.

The tour runs nine hours total and operates with a minimum of two people. Hotel pickup from Puerto Viejo is included, along with all park entries and lunch. You'll need comfortable water shoes that stay on (keens, crocs or strap sandals) plus a swimsuit, sunscreen, a hat, a long-sleeve shirt or rash guard, a camera, water bottle, towel, insect repellent and a light raincoat.

What’s included

• Park entry to Cahuita and the Sloth Sanctuary.
• two snorkeling sessions in the coral reef.
• a 1.5-hour guided hike through coastal forest.
• a canoe tour through the sanctuary channels.
• lunch and a fruit and snacks break.
• hotel pickup and drop-off from Puerto Viejo.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 08:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (11 and older) · Under 11: can't be included in the booking

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 10 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 2 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Destination Services Costa Rica

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want snorkeling, rainforest wildlife and a sloth sanctuary all in one day. The nine-hour schedule packs three distinct environments into a single outing, which works well if you're in Puerto Viejo for just a day or two and want to see multiple ecosystems without separate bookings.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What will I actually see when I snorkel in Cahuita?

Parque Nacional Cahuita's reef holds six species of coral and a wide range of colorful tropical fish. Reef sharks and stingrays appear occasionally but are harmless and typically avoid snorkelers. You'll have two separate snorkeling sessions to explore different parts of the reef.

How much time do I spend snorkeling versus hiking?

The two snorkeling sessions happen during a 20-minute boat ride out and back, then you spend 1.5 hours on the guided rainforest hike. The rest of the nine-hour day includes the boat ride, beach break, breakfast, the drive to the sanctuary and the canoe tour there.

What's included in the price?

Park entry to Cahuita and the Sloth Sanctuary, lunch, hotel pickup from Puerto Viejo, and the guide are all included. Souvenir photos from the day are available to purchase separately.

Is this tour suitable if I'm not a strong swimmer?

The snorkeling happens in reef areas where you control your pace and depth. You should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness because of the 1.5-hour hike and the full nine-hour day. The tour is not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries, poor cardiovascular health, or pregnancy.

What time does the tour start and end?

Hotel pickup from Puerto Viejo begins the day. The full experience runs nine hours, so timing depends on your hotel's location and the guide's pickup schedule. Contact the operator to confirm pickup time when you book.