Cahuita National Park is a protected coastal area on Costa Rica's southern Caribbean coast, near the town of Cahuita in Limón Province. The park protects a combination of tropical forest, beaches, wetlands, mangroves, coral reefs, and coastal waters. Its marine area is particularly important, encompassing one of Costa Rica's better-known coral reef systems. The park's forested coastline is crossed by walking trails that follow beaches and lowland forest, creating close views of the Caribbean landscape. Its combination of terrestrial and marine habitats makes Cahuita distinct among Costa Rica's protected areas.

The park is closely connected to the Afro-Caribbean culture of the surrounding Limón region. Cahuita itself has a strong Caribbean identity shaped by Afro-descendant communities, local fishing traditions, farming, music, and distinctive foodways. The park's conservation history also reflects local involvement in protecting coastal resources and managing tourism. Nearby communities continue to provide guides, restaurants, accommodations, and other services. This relationship between the protected area and surrounding community is an important part of the visitor experience, with local knowledge contributing to understanding the forests, reefs, wildlife, and cultural landscape.

The park's main terrestrial trail runs between the Cahuita sector and Puerto Vargas, passing through forest, beaches, and coastal habitats. Wildlife commonly seen along the trails includes white-faced capuchin monkeys, howler monkeys, sloths, raccoons, agoutis, iguanas, and numerous bird species. Offshore, the protected marine area contains coral formations, seagrass beds, and shallow waters used by tropical fish and other marine species. Snorkeling can provide access to the reef environment when sea conditions permit. Punta Cahuita and the coastal beaches are among the park's most recognizable natural features.

Food around Cahuita reflects the Caribbean influence of Limón Province, with dishes such as rice and beans prepared with coconut milk, patí, plantains, seafood, and other local ingredients. Restaurants and small eateries in the town provide access to these traditions outside the park itself. A distinctive feature of Cahuita National Park is that visitors can move from rainforest to beach and reef within the same protected landscape. The park also protects important coastal ecosystems that help support marine life, making conservation of both the forest and sea central to its character.