Once an important banana port on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, Puerto Limon is better known today as a good jumping-off point for visitors headed to Cahuita and Tortuguero national parks. The city is also sometimes called simply "Limon" by locals, although that is also the name of the province.
Puerto Limon, which is about 100 mi/160 km east of San Jose, is also a popular stop for cruise ships. Unfortunately, there really isn't much to see or do in Puerto Limon itself—unless you are there for the huge Columbus Day Carnival in October.
Location
Cruise ships stopping on the Caribbean coast usually dock at Puerto Limon, which is the major port city and transportation hub of Costa Rica's east coast. The cruise terminal opens directly onto the main square in town—Parque Vargas. The terminal has its own crafts market and telephones when a cruise ship is in port, and taxis are available both inside and outside the terminal gates. Those outside the gates are generally less expensive. The main open-air market used by locals is just a two-block walk from the terminal.
Many cargo ships (including those that carry paying passengers) sometimes bypass the city in favor of Moin, a dock about 4 mi/6 km northwest of Puerto Limon. Moin is little more than a pier where passengers disembark for tours and shore excursions, although private boats depart from there to Tortuguero. (The pier also serves the nearby banana plantations and oil refinery.) Neither Puerto Limon nor Moin has a tourist information booth.
Shore Excursions
Cruise ship passengers can choose from at least two dozen or so exciting shore excursions. The most popular offerings include nature excursions to Tortuguero National Park, tours of the Costa Flores horticultural farm, a ride on the Rain Forest Aerial Tram and white-water rafting on the Reventazon River.
Most cruise passengers take ship-sponsored shore excursions because local transportation is limited. The bus system is not dependable, and rental cars aren't readily available. But it is possible to fashion your own itinerary to nearby parks and preserves. The best way (especially if you're a serious birder or hiker) is to make arrangements in advance with one of Costa Rica's nature-tour companies. Most will arrange for a guide to meet you at the dock.
Costa Rica Expeditions (phone 506-2257-1665; http://www.costaricaexpeditions.com) or Expediciones Tropicales (phone 506-2257-4141; http://www.expedicionestropicales.com) are recommended. With some planning, it's possible to see gorgeous beaches, jungles, mountains, rivers and volcanoes all in the same day.
Another option is to find a taxi near the port—most aren't metered, so settle on a fare before getting in. Many drivers speak some English. Tipping is not expected, but you might add a little extra for good service.
Several short trips are possible from Puerto Limon and Moin. Just north of the ports are the Tortuguero canals. A boat is the best way to explore this swampy terrain, and most depart from the Moin pier. Cahuita National Park, about an hour's drive south of Puerto Limon, can also be visited easily by taxi from either port. The park contains the only mature coral reef on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, and the adjacent village of Cahuita is filled with colorful Caribbean charm, as well as small cafes, excellent restaurants and good shopping. A taxi from the port to the park or village should cost about US$45 each way.
Aviarios del Caribe Sloth Refuge, just north of Cahuita (about a US$35 taxi ride each way from the port), is a wonderful private reserve containing cages full of sloths (and other creatures), plus a lagoon filled with kingfishers, egrets and herons. You can arrange in advance to take a canoe or boat cruise through the lagoon to the sea. Call ahead to plan your visit. Phone 506-2750-0775.
Guided tours—and their prices—vary from cruise line to cruise line. Book early because some fill up fast. Some include lunch and drinks, and the number of stops varies, so the final price may vary significantly. (Fees for children range from half-price to full price.) Check with your ship's shore-excursion staff or your travel agent for additional information.
