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The province of Limon sits 2.5 hours east of Costa Rica’s capital San José. With Caribbean coastline stretching from Nicaragua to Panama, it’s one of the greenest and most unspoilt regions in the country. With mangroves, mountains and lush tropical forests it’s untouched by many tourists, making it the perfect place to reconnect with nature.
The largest city in the province is Puerto Limon, a colourful town with museums and parks, and to the north, beautiful Tortuguero National Park sits majestically amongst labyrinth canals. The national park is explored mainly by water, and visitors can canoe or kayak to gain the best views of sea turtles, monkeys and rare West Indian manatees.
When it comes to activities, Limon province offers many. Whether you wish to relax on stunning palm-fringed Caribbean beaches, zip line through forests, snorkel and dive in Cahuita National Park or party in Puerto Viejo, you are sure to have a fabulous time!
If you have visited the cities of San José and Liberia, explored rural communities and taken in the more populated west coast of Costa Rica, Limon is a welcome change. Relatively unspoilt, it offers guests the chance to get back to nature with secluded shores, national parks and rare wildlife, bird and marine life. It’s a laid-back province where you can truly immerse yourself in a fascinating blend of Costa Rican and Caribbean cultures, and that alone is a good enough reason to visit.
Limon has a tropical monsoon climate, yet some days rainfall only lasts for a couple of hours. Throughout the year temperatures range between 72 and 86-degrees Fahrenheit with 6 to 7 hours of sunshine per day. The wettest months are May to November, so if you seek a little beach fun during your stay in Limon, good times to visit are between December and late April. Don’t dismiss other times of the year though, they are perfect for venturing into the forests and mountains and exploring national parks of Limon.
You can fly into the Costa Rican capital San José and drive to Limon in around 2.5 hours. There’s a frequent bus service which operates from San José to Puerto Limon and some even transport you to coastal resorts across the region. It’s worth bearing in mind that if you drive to northern Limon, many areas of Tortuguero National Park are only accessible by boat, therefore choose hotels on the perimeter of the national park if you wish to visit.
Puerto Limon is a bustling port city of Costa Rica with a rich history. It’s said that Christopher Columbus landed on the shores during his voyage of 1502, yet the port itself wasn’t fully developed until the mid-late 1800s. The city is not a well-known tourist destination, but that just adds to its appeal. Its culture is a blend of Costa Rican and Caribbean which means great food, colourful markets, warm hospitality and a lively atmosphere day and night.
If you are visiting Costa Rica to view diverse eco-systems, abundant wildlife and birdlife, then a trip to Tortuguero National Park should be on your itinerary. Only accessible via a maze of canals, this is Costa Rican wilderness at its best. Lush forests are home to Howler, Spider and Capuchin monkeys and endangered species such as the Green Macaw and Jaguar. In the waters, West Indian Manatees may make an appearance, but if they don’t, you are sure to see a variety of marine life and reptiles. If you have time, make a stop in Tortuguero village at the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum, then take a moonlit stroll on the beach to see them nesting. Tortuguero National Park is a completely different to any other wildlife park you’ll visit in Costa Rica, and it’s one which shouldn’t be missed.
Puerto Viejo has some of the best nightlife in Limon province. With outdoor dancefloors playing reggae and dancehall music all night long, it’s the perfect place for evening fun on your eastern Costa Rican adventure. The laid-back resort boasts a plethora of beach bars and live music, you can hire a bike and cycle along the coast, surf or partake in a spot of yoga on soft white sands. It’s also a great place for dining. You can sample delicious local and international cuisine in the town, plus there are vegetarian and vegan options on offer, making this the ideal place for every culinary palate.