Isla de Cabuya
Isla de Cabuya
4.5
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
What is Travellers’ Choice?
Tripadvisor gives a Travellers’ Choice award to accommodations, attractions and restaurants that consistently earn great reviews from travellers and are ranked within the top 10% of properties on Tripadvisor.
Top ways to experience Isla de Cabuya and nearby attractions
The area
Reach out directly
Best nearby
Restaurants
8 within 5 kms
Attractions
9 within 10 kms
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.5
183 reviews
Excellent
91
Very good
70
Average
19
Poor
1
Terrible
2
Kristen
Montezuma, Costa Rica50 contributions
Jan 2020
My first visit to Cabuya Island was in 2005. It was unforgettable. A friend offered to take me by kayak. There was a ceremony happening that day and you could see locals walking out to the island during low tide. It's not often you get to witness a funeral on a tropical island surrounded by the sea. I've been back a few times and depending on the weather the air can feel very heavy adding to the authenticity of the experience of a cemetery island. I highly recommend. The fishing boats perched on land at low tide also make for great photo ops. If sunny bring a hat and plenty of drinking water.
Written 22 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Beach L
Ontario, Canada152 contributions
Jan 2020
Having been in the area after visiting Cabo Blanco park and eating lunch nearby, it was easy to pop out to the cemetery while the tide was low. It was something different than any other travel spots we have visited and didn't take too much time so we felt it was worth having done. Just be sure to check the tide schedules as it would not be viable to visit unless the tide was low.
Written 24 March 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Rachelallen2014
Naples, ME12 contributions
Jan 2018 • Solo
Wear comfortable walking shoes that you do not mind getting wet, take water and sunscreen. Arrive 2-3 hours before low tide by bus, car or on foot, Take the little road toward the ocean next to El Delfin de La Luna or better yet, right next to ""The Bakery"... Walk across the natural road to the island. For snorkeling and fushing, face the arched entrance to the Cemetary and go straight to the left. The water on the outside of the Island is deep and cool and a great spot for fishing and snorkeling. Do not forget to visit the pre-Columbuan and present day Cemetary. It is a sacred and very interesting, peaceful place!
Watch the tide and remember to head ashore before the natural road disapears. I am 63 years old and have taken this lovely walk and snorkel end safely in these wares many, many, many times. Watch the tides and you I'll be fine. Take the time to go. It is a unique and fun experience.
Watch the tide and remember to head ashore before the natural road disapears. I am 63 years old and have taken this lovely walk and snorkel end safely in these wares many, many, many times. Watch the tides and you I'll be fine. Take the time to go. It is a unique and fun experience.
Written 16 February 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KMacK
Ann Arbor, MI35 contributions
Jan 2016
Perhaps I'm biased because I think international cemeteries are fascinating, but the cemetery was actually a minor part of the experience. Basically, you can walk out to a cool island at low tide and poke around. It was beautiful and pretty quiet, given it was the busiest tourist week of the year. There are lots of rocks with tidal pools you can explore. There is some shade around the cemetery area. It's right down the street from the Bakery with amazing batidos. So why not take an hour or two to explore a bit? We thought it was great fun...and it didn't cost a thing.
Written 10 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
aml888
San Francisco, CA418 contributions
Jan 2020
A visit to this island cemetery makes for a great little trip from Montezuma. Be sure to check the tide tables and be ready to get your feet wet. It's about a 15 minute drive from Montezuma on bumpy dirt roads. The guys at the parking area will ask for $2 to watch your car (and 500 colones to use their restrooms). After parking, it's a rocky 10-15 minute walk out to the island - wear sturdy shoes, no flip flops. The island itself is small, pretty and peaceful with a lovely white arch marking the entrance. The graves are relatively new, from the past ~20 years or so - but it's so interesting to think about who these people were and why they chose this as their final resting place. The whole trip from Montezuma took about 1.5-2 hrs. Definitely be prepared to get your feet wet - we started out just after the low tide point and there was already water on the path 30 minutes later when we returned.
Overall, it was an unique thing to do on vacation and we enjoyed it. Be sure to stop at the Selva Brewery on the way back for delicious beer/lemonade and tapas!
Overall, it was an unique thing to do on vacation and we enjoyed it. Be sure to stop at the Selva Brewery on the way back for delicious beer/lemonade and tapas!
Written 15 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
OttawaPixie
Ottawa, Canada98 contributions
Nov 2019
We waited for low tide and went our to Cemetary Island as we had read it was a must do. We were a little disappointed because there really isn't much there. We thought there would have been some plaques explaining the history. There was a sign but it was only in Spanish. We are glad we went only because we always would wonder. If you are in the area - it is interesting. If you are making a special trip...perhaps not worth it.
Written 11 November 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michmitts
Calgary, Canada12 contributions
Dec 2016 • Family
A very cool place to walk out to. The cemetery is really different than what we are used to in Canada. There are some great snorkelling spots beyond the cemetery that are worth the climb over the treacherous rocks.
Written 23 December 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Diane L
Port Hardy, Canada74 contributions
Sept 2016 • Couples
It's pretty neat being able to walk over to the island, easy walking, mostly flat, gravel, not slippery at all. I was expecting the graves to be quite old, but that was not the case at all. Very pretty. Short walk there and back, we took less than an hour for the walk and exploring.
Written 11 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jack H
Fort Lauderdale, FL42 contributions
May 2015
This is a must-see! This cemetery island is both delightful and haunting, Delightful because, other than a boat (don't do that!) you can only get there and back by walking across the ocean floor at low tide. Yes, you will feel a bit like Moses...it's amazing! Haunting because some of the more elaborate headstones have incredible and poignant stories about which you can only learn by Googling the name on the headstone. You absolutely MUST do so when you return. Tears will be shed, guaranteed. Plus you will see gobs of vultures on the way to and on the island just hanging out minding their own business. GO!!!
Written 13 August 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Roboticarm
Birmingham, AL12 contributions
Jan 2015 • Friends
This place is beautiful and kindof haunting. The story of the island itself is quite interesting. And there are tide pools all around it and other areas that make for fine snorkeling. Look up a guy name Jeffrey in Caubya and get him to take you out there. It's a load of fun.
Written 20 July 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi
I am looking to find out the low tide times for Sunday, September 9, 2018. I would like to know if there is more than one low tide window to go. If we can't make it during low tide, is there someone with a boat that can take us to the cemetery for a quick visit?
Thanks
Written 13 August 2018
Hello, there is only 1 low tide a day. It usually starts to go up around 12noon and takes a good 3-4 hours to completely go up. So you have plenty of time to explore the island cemetery and do some great snorkeling around the island. It’s a fishing village so they are many boats that can take you for a boat ride or fishing/snorkeling. I did a separate review on the boat I used called Mar Paraiso look it up. The fisherman’s name is Jose. He is great and goes out of his way to please and knows how to find fish and even cook it for you. He is at Cabinas Doña Rosaura. Look him up you will not be disappointed. He is about a block down the beach from where the small fishing restaurant is across from the island.
Written 15 August 2018
Showing results 1-2 of 2
*Likely to sell out: Based on Viator’s booking data and information from the provider from the past 30 days, it seems likely this experience will sell out through Viator, a Tripadvisor company.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing