Limon is the province that encompasses the entire Caribbean area of Costa Rica. Covered with an abundance wildlife, the province of Limon is a true paradise for nature lovers. It is an area of lush vegetation, impressive jungles but also beautiful beaches. Limon is a very attractive destination that, like the rest of Costa Rica, focuses on rural, natural and authentic tourism. The province makes sure to maintain great respect for nature, its most precious heritage.
Imagining yourself in Costa Rica takes you to a rainforest full of vegetation, beautiful beaches that soften the coastline, and a relaxed lifestyle. Costa Rica is all that and much more, and Limon perfectly represents its country. At Passporter we would like to invite you to discover this province, and above all, to savour it.
Organise your travel itinerary with Passporter, completely free, easy and practical. Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers and choose the places that interest you most by adding them to your route map.
Things to see on your trip to Limon Costa Rica
Puerto Limón
The city of Puerto Limón is not known for being very touristy, which gives it a great cultural richness and unique charm. One of the most important aspects of this port is how different it is from other cities in the rest of the country. To this day, it maintains a strong Afro-Caribbean culture. Puerto Limon is also known for its unique and fascinating architecture. The city has been hit by many earthquakes over the years, which has given the buildings a somewhat dilapidated appearance, although many say that this has only added to the city’s charm.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
The town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca is located in the province of Limon, bordering neighbouring Panama. Puerto Viejo is surrounded by beautiful beaches where you can surf and relax in a hammock, although the main attraction is seeing the natural environment surrounding this fishing village such as the Cahuita National Park.
This is the most atmospheric of all the towns that are dotted along its coastline, with surf and reggae vibes. Puerto Viejo’s main street is where most of the shops, restaurants and nightlife venues are concentrated, many of them with live music every night. Here you will find everything you need during your stay in town.
Puerto Viejo Beaches
Playa Cocles is best known for surfing. There is usually a constant swell and currents here, but Playa Negra is more relaxed for swimming. The difference between these two beaches in Puerto Viejo is the colour of the sand; while Cocles is white sand, Playa Negra, as its name suggests, is dark in colour, with very fine, almost powdery sand.
Cahuita National Park
This is not only the main natural area to visit in Puerto Viejo, but also in all of Costa Rica. It’s an incredible place to enjoy Limon’s impressive wilderness, with stretches of jungle, beaches and animals of all kinds. The Park has 23,290 hectares of marine coverage and 1,102 hectares of land. There are ecological systems like the coral reefs, which are considered the most diverse in the Costa Rican Caribbean.
Get lost in the countless trails that run through this dense tropical rainforest. During your walk you’ll encounter white-faced monkeys, sloths, toucans and many other fellow travellers who will liven up your journey. There is an 8.5-kilometre trail that runs along the entire coastline between sandy paths, the beach, and elevated wooden walkways.
The final section of the park, the Sendero Los Cativos, is a trail that runs from the beach to the park’s exit. It is a 2.1 kilometre long wooden platform that crosses the entire mangrove area of Cahuita.
Tortuguero National Park
Located in the northern half of the province, Tortuguero National Park is known for the turtles nesting on the beach. Unlike many other parks in the country that attract more hikers, Tortuguero should be explored through its waterways. Travellers can take a boat or go kayaking to get the best view of the wildlife in this beautiful park.
While there are a plethora of mammals, birds and reptiles living in the area, the most sought after are the turtles. Leatherback, hawksbill and green turtles are the most common species nesting on the beaches. Depending on the time of year, it is possible to see these nocturnal creatures dig their nests and lay their eggs.
The canals are also full of unique species, such as the West Indian manatee, monkeys, river otters, and more than 50 species of freshwater fish.
Manzanillo
Located within the wonderful Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge, the small fishing village of Manzanillo is the last town south of Puerto Viejo. The main attraction of this quiet town is its fabulous coastline. The picturesque beaches are lined in palm trees, whose branches dip into the gentle waters of the Caribbean Sea.
This fishing village has a unique atmosphere and culture that is typical of the Caribbean province. Influenced largely by Afro-Caribbean traditions and customs, this town is the place to try some of the best dishes in Costa Rica.
With a wide variety of fish, crabs, shrimps and lobsters, this town is known for its good food. Manzanillo has several colourful local markets and restaurants serving some of the best seafood in all of Costa Rica.
Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.
Things to see around Limon, Costa Rica
Uvita Island
Quiribrí Island, better known by its popular name, Uvita Island, is an island in Costa Rica, located 1.4 km east of the current port city of Limon, in the Caribbean Sea. Less than one square kilometre, it is ideal for a quick trip on a small budget, whilst still seeing beautiful places.
Apart from fascinating rocky cliffs, blue sea, white sand and a beautiful forest, Uvita Island has a very interesting history. In 1502 Christopher Columbus anchored his ships in the key to repair them, and gave the island the name La Huerta.
Tips for your trip to Limon, Costa Rica
For an adventure like this you can’t forget:
- Sun cream and mosquito repellent.
- Comfortable clothes and appropriate footwear for hiking and jungle trekking.
- Take out travel insurance before leaving for Limon, Costa Rica.
- Book your accommodation in advance.
- The best months to travel to Limon are January, February, March and April.
What to see in 3 days in Limon, Costa Rica?
With three days, you will have just enough time to discover the most special corners of this province. You will discover its greatest natural treasures and be captivated by the atmosphere in the streets and the lifestyle of its people. Here is a three-day itinerary for you to make the most of this tropical paradise.
- First day: Puerto Limón
- Second day: Puerto Viejo de Talamanca and Cahuita National Park.
- Third day: Tortuguero National Park
What to see in 4 days in Limon, Costa Rica?
If you are lucky enough to be staying in this province for four days, you will get a true taste of Limon, Costa Rica. On the last day of your trip, we recommend that going to the beautiful town of Manzanillo to discover its charm and fantastic food.
Frequently Asked Questions
Limon can be reached by domestic flight from San Jose International Airport, or by bus or car from the capital San Jose. The car usually takes about 2.5 hours.
You will find a wide variety of places to try delicious Costa Rican recipes all over the province of Limon. Here is a selection of the top 5 best rated local food restaurants.
– Café Caribeño
– Restaurant Cocori
– Red Snapper Restaurant
– Caribbean Kalisi Coffee Shop
– Soda El Patty
In Limon you will find different accommodations with great service and facilities. At Passporter we have selected 4 eco hotels in Limon, for all budgets, which are great value and have been rated ‘excellent’ by users.
– Almonds and Corals Lodge
– Cariblue Beach & Jungle Resort
– Aninga Lodge Tortuguero
– Pachira Lodge Tortuguero
Taxis are a great way to get around Limón. There are plenty of taxis available throughout the area and they are easy to find. You can also use the bus, another easy way to get to the different places of interest in the province.
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