PUERTO LIMON (SAN JOSE)

Puerto Limon is an important Costa Rican port located on the eastern coast of the country. It was first discovered by Columbus in 1502, but the port itself wasn’t developed until 1870 as a hub for exporting grains and bananas.

Purto Limon isn’t a big tourist destination, meaning visitors such as yourself have the chance to see what life is actually like in Costa Rica. There aren’t specific sights to be seen, but you can enjoy wandering the streets and popping into local markets to soak up the local culture. After wandering the town, consider hopping in a cab for a 20 minute drive to Playa Bonita, which is Puerto Limon’s most popular beach. For a bigger city experience with more shopping and dining opportunities, head to Puerto Viejo, which is 37mi/59km south of the cruise port. 

If you want to immerse yourself into Costa Rican nature, there are further journeys to be had. One option is the Tortuguero Canals (25 minutes away from port) where you can hop on pontoon boat and marvel at the amazing ecosystems that surround you. For a different perspective of the rainforest, take a ride on the Rainforest Aerial Tram for a 70minute guided ride through the Veragua Rainforest’s treetops.

If a sloth encounter is on your Costa Rica bucket list, head to the Sloth Sanctuary of Costa Rica to see and learn about this iconic Costa Rican creature. Another great nature-centric travel opportunity is a trip to the Cahuita National Park where you can snorkel through the coral reefs, relax on the beach, or go on animal-spotting hikes through the interior.

 Note: Can I go to San Jose? Is a frequently asked question. San Jose is nearly 100m/160km away from Puerto Limon and the drive can take anywhere from 3 ½ to 4 hours each way. Unless you have an overnight stay, taking a trip to San Jose from Puerto Limon isn’t feasible.

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