Making the most of Puerto Limon
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
A busy port receives cruise ships just steps away (1.5 miles) from town. The terminal contains tour operators’ desks, tourist information, a craft market, Internet computers and telephones.
Puerto Limon is Costa Rica's most popular cruise port.
A printable map is available to take with you.
In 1821, Costa Rica was among several Central American provinces that jointly declared independence from Spain. Costa Rica literally translates as "Rich Coast".
Though a little rundown after the many earthquakes that have hit the area, Puerto Limon has fascinating architecture and colourful open-air marketplaces. The main central market sells everything from wood-carved items to traditional souvenirs.
The waterfront Parque Vargas is the city's main attraction: an incongruous stretch of bench-lined sidewalks beneath a lost little jungle of tall palms and tropical flowers.
Theft is a problem, so take precautions against daytime pickpockets, especially in the market and along the sea wall.
Getting around
Posted taxi fares, for example $20 to Cahuita, are all negotiable. Drivers' English can be patchy, so check this first if you need a guide as well as a driver.
Taxis cost about $20-$30 per hour. Because of the hilly terrain, journeys take longer than you might expect.
Costa Rica bus schedule information.
If travelling outside the towns, protection from mosquito bites is very important. The CDC recommends lightweight long pants, long sleeved shirts and insect repellents with high concentrations of DEET
Nearby places
Created in 1975, the Tortuguero Canals national park protects the green turtle's (Tortuguero) spawning areas and rich regional flora and fauna from Moin to the Colorado River near Nicaragua's border. A slow boat trip along its canals, some natural and some manmade, may reveal sloths hanging upside down from overhanging trees, many bird types including toucans, and probably monkeys and crocodiles too.
Limon's Aerial Tram ride at Rain Forest is a 1,000-acre nature reserve beside Braulio Carrillo National Park.
The Original Canopy Tour lets everyone soar through the rain forest high above its floor, though this adventure requires good fitness.
The terminal has a desk for local tour operators (Caribe Tico, Blue Limbo, Mambo Tours). They provide alternatives to ship tours for Cahuita Coastal National Park, Tortuguero Canals and the Rain Forest Aerial Tram, as well as a two-hour Limon tour and an eight-hour trip to San Jose. More active options include horse-riding, water sports and canopy tours.
Costa Rica means rich coast in Spanish, so one might expect an ideal tropical paradise. A native song says the Virgin Mary came down to Costa Rica and never returned to Heaven.
The Switzerland of Central America is a name often given to Costa Rica.
Costa Rica's biodiversity reflects both its land bridge between North and South America and its varied terrain, with weather patterns arriving from the Pacific and Atlantic/Caribbean. Across the country are impressive volcanoes, mountain areas, rivers, lakes and beaches. There are many beautiful beaches: most popular ones are on the Pacific side, but the Caribbean also has many excellent beaches.
Food and shopping
Costa Rica has no shortage of places to eat, and kitchen hygiene standards are generally high wherever you go, leaving little risk of food poisoning. Expensive restaurants do not necessarily have the best food; visitors are encouraged to try the smaller, locally frequented establishments called sodas, where dishes are as authentic as possible and often equal to or better than those at expensive venues.
Money
Colón(es) is the local currency. The exchange rate is about 575 Colones to 1 US Dollar. ATMs are available in most places and normally dispense US Dollars and Colones.
Staying connected
Spanish is Costa Rica's main language, while English is widely used in areas with international tourists.
For emergencies in Costa Rica, call 911.
In tourist areas, cafes offering customers free WiFi are fairly easy to find.
Opening Hours and
In Puerto Limon, Mon-Sat shopping hours are 0900-1800/1900, with variations possible between areas.
Costa Rica is a Catholic country, and its holidays are mostly church-related. Most businesses, including banks, close for official holidays. During the biggest holiday period, Easter Holy Week, the country closes down entirely only on Holy Thursday, Friday and Saturday; by Holy Sunday some services may be available, but do not rely on this in remote parts of the country.
The entire Christmas holiday week through New Year is now taken by most Ticos as an unofficial