The Cahuita National Park has 23,290 hectares of marine coverage and 1,102 hectares of land. In this territory there is a set of ecological systems such as coral reefs, which due to their structure and diversity, are considered the most developed in the Costa Rican Caribbean.
Associated with this system, a great diversity of fauna species (fishes, crustaceans, invertebrates, among others) and flora (seagrasses and algae) have been developed. On land there are mangrove patches, flooded forests and tropical humid forest, to which many species of mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds are associated. The most common fauna species are the congo monkey, the white-faced monkey, the lazy bear, the coatis, toucan, trogon, night heron, among others. In the reef you can observe cerebriform coral, elkhorn coral, sea fan, french angelfish, queen angel fish, isabelite fish, sea cucumber, lobsters, turtles and colorful fish.
You can swim and walk discovering nature along the path, snorkeling on the marine path, listening to the sounds of nature, tanning, soccer or beach volleyball, doing different exercises on the beach and artistic and cultural events non-profit organizations that have the backing of the Park administration.
The Punta Cahuita trail is located parallel to the coast, between the northwest boundary of the Park (Kelly Creek River) and the Puerto Vargas beach sector. The first section of the trail and the one with the highest intensity of use (because it is a voluntary payment), is the one that extends between the limit of the Park and the Suárez River, with a distance of 1,500 meters. It allows visitors to enter the beach for the enjoyment of swimming and resting activities under the almond trees of the beach, or to sunbathe.
Another section of the trail that is used by people who like to walk to observe the landscape and aspects of biodiversity, is located between the Suárez River and Punta Cahuita, with a distance of 2,334 meters. This means that the visitor has the possibility to walk 7.2 kilometers from the northwest limit of the Park (round trip). This part of the trail shows the flora, fauna and landscape, since there are no suitable sites for beach activities. The last part of the trail is the one that runs parallel to the coast from Punta Cahuita to Puerto Vargas with 2,100 meters, which It has a lower intensity of use. It crosses the humid tropical forest, where a stand of sangrillo can be observed, with exuberant trees.