Any opinions on Cahuita,positive or negative?
We are looking for a relaxing place,with a nice beach for swimming.I know its near a national park with decent walking trails.Some good and cheap places to eat.Easy access from San Jose (about 4 hours by bus?).
How is the border crossing into Panama on that side?
We will probably be going to Boquete after...so i guess its going to be a long journey! (Cahuita-border-Changuinola-David-Boquete?)
Thanks Luc
We are looking for a relaxing place,with a nice beach for swimming.I know its near a national park with decent walking trails.Some good and cheap places to eat.Easy access from San Jose (about 4 hours by bus?).
How is the border crossing into Panama on that side?
We will probably be going to Boquete after...so i guess its going to be a long journey! (Cahuita-border-Changuinola-David-Boquete?)
Thanks Luc
1
Cahuita is a funky ramshackle town of spicy afro foods and good music, a nice park and the Sloth Sanctuary is nearby.I like the Alby Lodge, a great value and very nice.
http://www.albylodge.com/
From here you can go to Pt Viejo, a larger version of Playa Cahuita with great beaches just south of town to stay like Playa Cocles/Chequita and Punta Uva.
From PV its about 1.5 hours to border with Panama. Dont forget you lose 1 hour in Panama. From there get bus or taxi hire for ferry/boats to BDT...there are shuttles in PV also if you want a seamless trip...
http://www.puertoviejosatellite.com/transport.php
2
I think I may have already answered this. I like Cahuita very much but am keen to explore south of Puerto Viejo down to Bocas. I only have two weeks in February next year and will be counting on the Hobo for his expert advice. Maybe the raft trip this time? I dunno.Edited by: Greggo
3
Hey Greggo-The caribe coast can be an easy 10 day trip. Starting with Tortuguero Canals for 2 nights. Playa Cahuita 1-2 nights, then base south of Pt Viejo like Playa Cocles or further afield 3-4 nights, accessing Manzanillo-Gonduca marine refuge, snorkel/dive Punta Uva, and also enjoy both the Sloth Sanctuary near Cahuita and the Jaguar Rescue center near PV. You can also go further afield and hit Bribri on way to Sixoala border and access La Amistad and the indigenous indian tribes a night/day too, as well as the chocolate subsistence farming...
After making way to BDT, you can fly back to SJ on Nature Air, so you dont have to back track.
You of course can raft the Rio Pacuare to or from the caribe beaches and San Jose area, or get dropped for bus/boats to Tortuguero...
4
Wow, Thanks Tim, particularly about the flight from Bocas. That will give us an extra day or two. I have no desire to visit Bribri again but the rest sounds pretty good if not a little ambitious for this 60 year old and his girlfriend. I will have to get my ass out of Cahuita and stay south as you suggested. I will be in contact with you if I have any more questions. I'm still not sure about the raft trip though you say it is special. Thanks Again! Greg
