Caribbean Port 

Limón Shore Excursions

About Puerto Limón:

Limón conjures up images of Costa Rica's coconut-fringed Caribbean coast.

Christopher Columbus, or Cristóbal Colón as he is known in Spanish, and his crew was the first Europeans to lay eyes on the shores and forest-covered mountains of Costa Rica. On the great Admiral's fourth and final voyage to the Americas, in 1502, he anchored near what is now the port city and provincial capital of Limón. His brief dealings with the native people he met on the mainland were apparently good-natured, yet this benevolent interaction was not to be the norm during the centuries to come.

Spanish settlement of Costa Rica came not from the Atlantic but from the Pacific side of the country. Given the mountainous barrier between the Central Valley and the Caribbean lowlands, as well as the dense forests and high rainfall characteristic of the latter region, would-be colonists were faced with a real challenge. The periodic expeditions organized with, at least in part, the purpose of establishing permanent settlements in the Caribbean region inevitably met with failure. Their cruel treatment of the indigenous people did not help the Spaniards in their objective either, since the natives in the area wholeheartedly resisted colonization.

The province is of vital importance to the national economy and ecology: it boasts the largest port in the country and contains a variety of the country’s most ecologically important and diverse tropical forest ecosystems. These two factors, together with the province’s beautiful coconut-tree-lined beaches, have made Limón a haven for investment. Since the 1980s the tourism industry has been an important economic force, particularly in coastal communities. Despite its natural richness, the region is one of the most economically depressed in the country, which puts increased pressure on natural resources. 

Select your shore excursion and then Make Your Reservation Here

LIMON PORT SHORE EXCURSIONS DESCRIPTION

Irazu Volcano Shore Excursion:

Our comfortable, air-conditioned bus trip will take you through lush green mountains,coffee fields, sugar cane and macadamia plantations to visit Our Lady of Los Angeles shrine in Cartago, the former capital city of Costa Rica. We will then continue on through the beautiful volcanic farm country famous for producing a variety of vegetables.Our destination is the Irazu volcano – the highest volcano in Costa Rica at 11,257 feet above sea level. Irazu consists of five craters of which we'll see three: the main crater (1,000 feet deep); the Diego de la Haya Crater, and the remains of the gigantic Playa Hermosa Crater. On the way back, we will stop in the mountains for a delicious typical Costa Rican lunch. 

Cahuita & Puerto Vargas National Park Tour:

Puerto Vargas Reserve forms part of Cahuita National Park. There is a variety of wildlife frequently seen, such as the howler monkey, common raccoon and crab-eating raccoon. Several avian species live in the swamp forest, such as the green ibis, green and rufous kingfishers, yellow-crowned night heron and northern boat-billed heron among others. Cahuita's attractions are white sandy beaches fringed with endless coconut trees, a calm sea of transparent waters and coral reefs. The beach and tropical rain forest in the same place provide a unique combination! After our typical Costa Rican lunch, there will be a brief shopping stop en route back to the ship. 

Costa Flores Tropical Flower Farm:

Costa Flores is a 300-acre farm housing more than 600 varieties of tropical flowers. Costa Flores is located in the Guacimo Province of Limón and was created by North American David Carli, who wanted to create a place where flower-lovers could enjoy exotic tropical flowers while enjoying a relaxing day among landscaped gardens, ponds with fountains and finely masoned pathways. The farm exports cut flowers to the U.S. and Europe. The garden area attracts approximately 20 varieties of birds and features thousands of flowers such as heliconia strictas, musa ornata, alpina and heliconia orthotricha. After our delicious Costa Rican lunch, we will head back to the ship. 

Rain Forest Aerial Tram Tour:

The Rain Forest Aerial Tram will take you on a fascinating tour through the tall tropical tree-tops that offers you the chance to see wildlife found only within the canopy system. Home to two-thirds of all rain forest species, this hanging gardens of plants and animals is a magical world of rare beauty and amazing biological diversity. The Rain Forest Aerial Tram is a two-hour ride from Puerto Limón. After you enjoy the 1-1/4 hour ride in the tram, we will enjoy a delicious typical lunch and still have time to relax and browse in the souvenir shop at the tram base. 

Rio Reventazon White Water Rafting!

This exhilarating trip down the mighty Reventazón River is some of the best 10 miles of Class II and III rapids you'll ever paddle! Whether you are new to rafting or an experienced rafter looking for the excitement of big waves and stunning scenery, this trip is for you.

Traveling southeast from Limón through green fertile valleys and mountains, you will see endless stretches of banana plantations as we stop for a delicous breakfast on the way to our put-in. After the concise safety orientation, we'll begin our exciting trip down the river. As your raft rounds each new bend in this dam-controlled river, you'll catch breathtaking views of the Reventazón Valley. The trip is the perfect combination of action and sightseeing. You'll have the chance to see toucans, kingfishers, herons, tanagers, iguanas and lizards that walk on water.

After a fun and exhilarating day on the river, you'll finish your trip with a stop at a private rest area for a delicious typical lunch, showers, cold and hot drinks, before the return drive to your ship. This one-day adventure is unforgettable! 

Tortuguero Canals Tour:

Our day begins with a relaxing 1-1/4 hour ride to the Matina Embarcadero, where we will enjoy the Afro-Caribbean beats of Calypso music and some refreshments. Then, we will board a covered boat and begin our cruise through the jungle canals of Costa Rica's Caribbean coast.

The Tortuguero Canals are one of Costa Rica's most popular destinations because of the lush density of the surrounding rain forest and the tranquil environment of the jungle. Heavy annual rainfall in the area attracts orchids, birds, monkeys, crocodiles, sloths and toucan. We will disembark the boat in Moin and enjoy a delicious lunch before we board our motorcoach transportation and head back to the ship. 

San Jose City Tour Excursion:

Our exciting day begins with a drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park. This realm of primary forests and wildlife ascends from the lowlands of the Caribbean through the Central Volcanic Range to the Central Valley of San José. We will pass through the spectacular mix of cloud and rain forest, and marvel at the rich mix of flora and fauna. 

 On arrival in the capital, we will begin our tour of this handsome city. Our journey will take us past La Sabana Park, the ambassadorial residences, the National Stadium, the National Theater and the Metropolitan Cathedral, with a brief stop for shopping. We will then pass through Moravia to see the world famous Costa Rican handicraft and art before we stop for a delicious typical lunch at one of San Jose´s most beloved restaurants.

Sarapiqui Jungle River Cruise Tour:

Don't miss this opportunity to admire the rain forest from the unique vantage point of the calm waters of the Sarapiqui River. A scenic drive of about 2-1/2 hours brings us to Sarapiqui, where we will board our covered boat.

During our two hour boat ride, we will have the opportunity to see the magnificent rain forest as well as toucans, monkeys, bats and sloth's. We will then enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch at a private farm, then walk through the nature trails before a boat-ride back to the bus.

The Crazy Monkey Canopy Ride:

Feel your adrenaline rising up in your body, come and get on “The Crazy Monkey Canopy Ride” !!!. Experience watching the jungle from the top of the trees in our canopy cable system of the platforms and ride amongst the forest till you get your feet on the golden sand beach!! Here is where the jungle meets the ocean.

This is a great place for magnificent views from the tree tops while you are on the platforms and also walking in our bridges in some of the tracks. This is an opportunity to see the jungle from another perspective and surely you will have the chance to watch some wildlife from above and your guide can tell you about the different species that might appear, but even more amazing it will be to see the Natura Park with a Bri-Bri Indian Village from above where an aborigine family lives in a very traditional way with the typical thatch buildings. A snack at Almonds and Corals Lodge is included. Enjoy the surroundings of Almonds and Corals Lodge, its forests, its fauna, its beach. Back to your hotel at 1:00 p.m.