Fees · Destination Guide
Guided Cahuita reef snorkeling, rainforest trails and Caribbean coastal villages
Key fee: Cahuita National Park, Playa Blanca community entrance
Voluntary cash contribution; no mandatory fixed price published
Confirm these fees before you book so your operator plan and day budget match what you will pay onsite.
Cahuita has two different park-entry models rather than one national snorkeling ticket. SINAC currently posts a voluntary cash contribution at Playa Blanca and a fixed Puerto Vargas charge; a guided reef boat tour is a separate commercial service. SINAC rules. Refuge walking in the Manzanillo sector has no general admission charge according to SINAC. No standalone visitor dive-tag or independently priced Cahuita marine permit could be established. Check activity access permission, taxes and cancellations directly. Costa Rica's US$29 air departure tax is usually embedded in the flight ticket and is not a Cahuita tourist levy. ICT travel resources.
| Fee | Amount | Applies to | Where to pay | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cahuita National Park, Playa Blanca community entrance | Voluntary cash contribution; no mandatory fixed price published Per entry; exact re-entry rule unverified | topside; snorkel | At the Playa Blanca entrance, Cahuita town | A contribution supports the park and community under the co-management model. It does not independently authorize protected reef snorkeling. SINAC. |
| Cahuita National Park, Puerto Vargas entrance, nonresident | USD $5.65, including VAT, per SINAC posted rate Visit admission; verify exact conditions and any changes | topside; snorkel | Puerto Vargas gate; official brochure states card payment | SINAC lists USD $5.65 for nonresident foreigners. The park brochure says card only, and no advance reservation, while older maps show conflicting hours/rates. Reconfirm on arrival. |
| Cahuita National Park, Puerto Vargas resident rates | CRC 1,130 adults and CRC 565 children, VAT included, as posted Visit admission; current eligibility and pricing must be confirmed | topside | Puerto Vargas gate | The SINAC visitor page gives the posted resident categories, with English wording that should not be used to infer exact age thresholds. |
| Commercial guided Cahuita snorkel boat | Example from USD $40-45 per person; tax and park contribution may be extra For the booked departure, subject to weather | snorkel | Direct from currently operating licensed Cahuita marine tour provider | Cahuita.cr advertises USD $40, and Cahuita Experience lists USD $45 plus tax. These are published examples, not fare guarantees. Confirm boat, guide accreditation, designated marine zone and refunds. |
| Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge general entry | Free general entry according to SINAC Regular designated visitor hours; subject to local access rules | topside | No standard general entrance ticket listed | This refers to ordinary authorized walking in the Manzanillo refuge sector, not equipment hire, guide services, boat access or protected marine special permits. SINAC. |
| Jaguar Rescue Center public tour | Published examples USD $27.13-29 per person; confirm the current total One guided visitor session; check age policy | topside | Jaguar Rescue Center official admissions counter or ticket channel | An optional privately run wildlife rehabilitation visit, not a national park admission fee. The official public-tour page lists USD $29 and free entry for children under 10. The ticket channel has also published USD $27.13 including VAT, so confirm the current total and schedule directly. |
| Costa Rica air departure tax | USD $29 only if not already included in airfare International air departure; per passenger where applicable | general | Usually included in eligible flight tickets; airport payment if omitted | This national airport departure tax is not a separate Cahuita tourism levy or marine conservation tag. Tourism board. |
Fee
Per entry; exact re-entry rule unverified
A contribution supports the park and community under the co-management model. It does not independently authorize protected reef snorkeling. SINAC.
Visit admission; verify exact conditions and any changes
SINAC lists USD $5.65 for nonresident foreigners. The park brochure says card only, and no advance reservation, while older maps show conflicting hours/rates. Reconfirm on arrival.
Visit admission; current eligibility and pricing must be confirmed
The SINAC visitor page gives the posted resident categories, with English wording that should not be used to infer exact age thresholds.
For the booked departure, subject to weather
Cahuita.cr advertises USD $40, and Cahuita Experience lists USD $45 plus tax. These are published examples, not fare guarantees. Confirm boat, guide accreditation, designated marine zone and refunds.
Regular designated visitor hours; subject to local access rules
This refers to ordinary authorized walking in the Manzanillo refuge sector, not equipment hire, guide services, boat access or protected marine special permits. SINAC.
One guided visitor session; check age policy
An optional privately run wildlife rehabilitation visit, not a national park admission fee. The official public-tour page lists USD $29 and free entry for children under 10. The ticket channel has also published USD $27.13 including VAT, so confirm the current total and schedule directly.
International air departure; per passenger where applicable
This national airport departure tax is not a separate Cahuita tourism levy or marine conservation tag. Tourism board.