Sunday, March 31, 2024

Cruise Port Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

limon costa rica cruise port

The ride will take you about two and a half hours and will cost about $12 per person for one way. FIND OUT HOW TO GET UP TO 10% OFF YOUR CAR RENTAL IN COSTA RICA! We have partnered with our favorite rental car company Adobe to bring our readers a 10% discount. However, there has been a lot of road work here recently (they are widening the road so I doubt it will be over anytime soon) and there have been a lot of major backups. The city is not the nicest and not a place we would suggest spending a ton of time.

Beach Excursions

limon costa rica cruise port

Thousands of plant species, many species of birds and nearly 10% of butterfly varieties have their habitat. There is no better way to see one of mankind’s most impressive feats of engineering than from the deck of a cruise ship. Discover the diverse attractions of San Jose, Costa Rica, from exploring pristine beaches to immersing yourself in the city's cultural richness, and plan your unforgettable visit now. Cruise ships to Puerto Limon dock at Hernan Garron Salazar passenger (cruise and ferry) terminal. It’s also good to speak some Spanish if you plan on riding the public bus since most drivers and ticket booth operators don’t speak English. Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t.

Explore Cahuita National Park

It is more of a jumping off point for its ecotourism and national parks, which make up a quarter of its landmass. Not many visitors choose to head to the beach because of the cloudy skies and imminent rain. If you go into the city, you can find other shops and visit the Etnohitorico Museum which is 10 minutes from the cruise terminal. For cruise ship passengers visiting Limón, Costa Rica, there are several beaches accessible within a reasonable distance from the port. The port-adjacent Balvanero Vargas Park offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy the shoreline and tropic Costa Rican air.

Cruises from/to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

You do not need a 4×4 for this route, but you might want something with a bit of power while driving through the national park. Follow our social media and blog for the latest cruise and travel news, including our best vacation deals. With an overwhelming world of choices, we understand you may need some personal assistance to plan your perfect vacation. From finding the right destination to choosing the best departure date, we're here to help.

limon costa rica cruise port

Until 2018, as a cruise shore excursion option from Puerto Limon were offered guided bus tours to the capital city of San Jose (road distance is ~160 km / 100 mi). However, due to the bad roads, traffic and mountains, it takes minimum 4 hours to drive (each way) between Puerto Limon and San Jose. This requires the ships to stay in Puerto Limon much longer than usual (~12 hours), so San Jose is usually visited from Puntarenas.

As for shopping, you can find arts and crafts that were made locally as well as edible treats like handmade chocolate. When you stepped off the gangway, passed the shore excursion busses and taxi stand you will be going into the cruise terminal of Puerto Limon. This is where you will find a wonderful craft and souvenir market. There are all kinds of handcrafts and local specialties offered here like oxcarts, baskets, ceramics and lots of clothing.

Visit a Banana Plantation

They also work to conserve the rainforest that is the sloth’s natural habitat. If these gentle creatures tug on your heartstrings, you can adopt one virtually. They have tours are from 8am until 2pm daily, except Mondays. As mentioned above, Limón boasts beautiful beaches such as Puerto Viejo, Cahuita, and Manzanillo, where visitors can relax, swim, snorkel, or enjoy water sports like surfing and kayaking. This rather nondescript observation platform, Mirador El Fortín, is an excellent place to take a photo of your ship while it’s in port.

Costa Rica considers upgrades to Limón cruise terminal, marina : - The Tico Times

Costa Rica considers upgrades to Limón cruise terminal, marina :.

Posted: Fri, 07 May 2021 07:00:00 GMT [source]

Customize your own tour and explore the beauty of Puerto Limon! Sit back and relax while your private tour guide takes you anywhere you wish around the area for 4-hours. This tour offers you the freedom to set off and explore wildlife on a rainforest trek, take a scenic drive along the coast or explore the region's diverse culture. You and your group will enjoy first class service from your guide providing you with the town's history and culture.... Then, you will visit a banana plantation, where you'll learn about the harvesting, processing, packing, and exportation of this fruit. The city of Limon is quite small and lacks much of interest for cruise ship passengers who wish to explore on foot.

Cahuita National Park is located just south of Cahuita town around 45 minutes south of Puerto Limón. The park is open every day from 8 am to 4 and the park asks for a $5 USD entrance donation (cash only) per person to keep the park beautiful and preserved. Limon is located on the Caribbean coast above Cahuita and below Tortuguero. It is a port city and is also often referred to as Puerto Limon. Costa Rica's beaches are known for their unspoiled beauty, and the ones in the province of Limon are especially popular for their Caribbean vibe.

Relax in the white sand and warm waters at Playa Bonita, Playa Blanca or Puerto Viejo. Pick up souvenirs at the stalls set up by the water, sip on a fresh coconut, stroll by the shore as you take in the palm-fringed coast. Then head to the biological exhibit for a glimpse of the wildlife researchers as they study the creatures and vegetation that inhabit this land. Cruises to Puerto Limon dock right by the city center, and the port is close to multiple forms of public and private transportation. This secluded beach is a peaceful oasis located less than 45 miles from Puerto Limon. You won’t find any development at this protected beach, but you will find white sand and a coral reef offshore that is excellent for scuba diving and snorkeling.

If you have your own transport to Tortuguero then you can simply purchase tickets for the boat tour and meet at the Almonds Dock. Please don’t forget to come back to whatsinport.com for new and updated port guides. Due to the hilly nature travel times will take longer than you would expect. While we never felt unsafe here, we always recommend and remind you to keep a close eye on your belongings when in another country. ….if none of those appeal to you, check out our Guide to the Caribbean Coast for more ideas of places to visit in this area. Red Snapper Restaurant – We have always had good experiences here.

It is a beautiful and adventurous way to get in the water and get in touch with nature. If you want to get up close and personal with the rainforest surrounding the Tortuguero Canal, take a zipline and canopy tour! A trip to Costa Rica is not complete until you are soaring through the canopy of the rainforest, and Tortuguero Canal is one of the most beautiful places to experience it.

At Punta Uva, you can take a short hike to a scenic lookout point overlooking the water and coral reef. Not quite an hour from Limon, the Veragua Rainforest gives you a glimpse of Costa Rica’s spectacular tropical rainforests. This 3,400-acre reserve has a sky gondola, a canopy tour (think Tarzan), a waterfall, and hiking trails.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica cruise port schedule 2017 - Crew Center

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica cruise port schedule 2017.

Posted: Tue, 10 Jan 2017 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The port often doesn’t hand out any tourist maps or other sort of information although you will find there are lost of locals around which are more than happy to help you find your way. Cruise ships visiting Puerto Limon in Costa are able to dock in this port of call. Limon’s port offers a separate pier for cruise ships and is fully equipped with a cruise terminal, taxi stand and souvenir market. The rest of the port is all dedicated to the export of Costa Rican products which is mainly coffee from the central valley. It’s also known for snorkeling since the best preserved coral reef in Costa Rica is located here.

The rainforests in this area of Costa Rica are some of the most lush, dense forests anywhere on the planet. Cruise ships often spend a day in Puerto Limon on western Caribbean or Panama Canal cruises. Here are six possibilities of things to do with a day in Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Adventure seekers can zip through the treetops on exhilarating canopy zip line tours, offering breathtaking views of the jungle canopy and adrenaline-pumping thrills. If renting a car isn’t in your budget, you don’t feel comfortable driving in Costa Rica, or you just don’t like driving, shuttles are the next best option. There are hundreds of shuttle routes available all over the country, and they are very affordable.

The country is full of volcanic mountains, lush valleys, and virgin tropical rainforests supporting a diverse mixture of plant and animal life. Costa Rica has preserved almost one-quarter of its land area as national parks or preserves. Some of the exciting shore excursion options revolve around these national parks or the Costa Rican countryside.

Puerto Limon Cruise Reviews 2024 UPDATED: Ratings of Puerto Limon Cruise Port

limon costa rica cruise port

This beach can be reached by taxi if you plan to visit on your own and spend as much time as you would like. The tour costs around $60 USD and lasts upwards of 4 hours. Tortuguero National Park is made up of a series of river waterways. This boat ride is a fun way to see a lot of wildlife and enjoy some different waterway views after days on your cruise ship. There is a large variety of local favorites offered at this family-run restaurant located about a 10 minute walk from the cruise pier.

Limón Restaurants

It is more rocky than sandy, but there are places to sit in the shade to enjoy the views and a couple of nearby bars. You could wade out a bit into the water to get cooled off, but it’s not much of a swimming area. This restaurant is outside of the downtown area, but is an 8 minute taxi ride from the cruise port. It’s on our list because of it’s ratings and there is a panoramic view  to go along with your lunch or dinner.

Shopping Near the Puerto Limón Cruise Port

No towering condo buildings and no massive gated communities. Located on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, Limon stretches along the coast with 125 miles of shoreline between Nicaragua and Panama. Limon has the most geographically diverse regions with mangrove wetlands, endless rainforests and towering mountains. Costa Rica is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Central America, and Puerto Limon is the most important Costa Rican port in the Caribbean.

Ports by Region

Puerto Limón, Costa Rica is one of the largest cities in Costa Rica and definitely worth your time to explore! It’s a beautiful port city, also known as Port Limon, located on the eastern coast of the country. Limon is also a destination location for many cruise ships, so there are always things happening at Port Limon.

Banana Plantation Tours

You’ll find that the Limón port is better organized than a lot of other cruise ports. If you book an excursion through the cruise line, you’ll find tour buses waiting in line outside the port to take you to your destination. We took a Tortuguero Canal boat tour in the morning prior to our exploration of Limón). If you didn’t book a cruise-organized excursion, there will be some other options available for you to book at the port. Puerto Limon has a modern port terminal with a separate pier for cruise ships. You’ll also see that the port has a large area focused on exporting, particularly Costa Rican coffee.

If you visit Costa Rica by cruise, the Caribbean coast cruise terminal is located here. Tipping is not expected in Costa Rica since a 10% service charge is already added to the bill in restaurants. However, if service was exceptional, it is acceptable to tip an additional 5% to 10%. Likewise, taxi drivers don’t expect a tip but it is appreciated.

limon costa rica cruise port

Top 10 Cruises to Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

You’re likely to see sloths, monkeys, toucans, and crocodiles while in the Tortuguero Canals. This is not a huge shopping destination like some other ports. There are some open air markets close to the cruise ship pier, and others stores in Limon itself. But most of the shops cater to residents, rather than tourists. Limon is not a destination in itself, as it is not as developed as other Caribbean ports.

CCL brings 4th cruise ship (Carnival Miracle) to Galveston Texas

Project Spotlight: Costa Rica’s US$3.5bn port projects for Limón province - BNamericas English

Project Spotlight: Costa Rica’s US$3.5bn port projects for Limón province.

Posted: Wed, 25 Mar 2020 07:00:00 GMT [source]

You can choose a pasta or salad, a side and a meat as well as a cooked plantain. The coffee is often highly recommended and they have air conditioning, wi-fi and accept credit cards. There is also a desk for local tour operators within the terminal. They offer tours to some of the national parks and a two-hour tour of Limon among other activities. Experience the natural wonders of Limon, Costa Rica's vibrant Caribbean port city.

CRUISE PORTS BY REGION

How you choose to get around Costa Rica is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make when planning your holiday here! How you do it depends on your budget, travel style, and comfort level. Other than the couple of hotels mentioned above, most other options are either very similar to the above or not suitable to recommend. You can find lots of nice places to stay there, such as Wildlife Lodge Cahuita, Bungalows Aché Cahuita, and Passion Fruit Lodge. If you have a rental car, Hotel Playa Westfalia is a good option.

Whitewater rafting down Pacuare River is a must-do for adventure seekers. This river is located about 60 minutes north of Limón and is accessible by taxi or through a guided tour. This tour is a great combination adventure of both the Tortuguero Canals river cruise and zip line tour. You will see animals in the rainforest and the water as well as get a great introduction to the area. The park was set up in 1971 to protect the rare wildlife here which includes the Green Turtle and the best way to travel these canals is to take an open-air boat tour. If you have your own transportation and can meet the guide at the entrance, this tour is an excellent walking tour of the park.

But, as I mentioned I don’t suggest staying in the city of Limon. A combo tour is basically a tour that combines several different activities in one fun filled day. We like this because it takes the stress off of you to plan multiple activities and usually it is way cheaper than booking multiple things. We have also visited in January and had total washout days.

While it may not be the most pristine or picturesque beach, it offers convenience for cruise ship passengers looking for a quick beach experience. This park is located just off the coast in Limón near the port itself. While it is not a very large park, it is a great balance of culture, tourism, and wildlife. It is free to enter and does not close, but you will want to go during the day. This is when food vendors are there, and you are more likely to see sloths hanging in the trees. The Puerto Limon’s cruise dock is located about 250 yards/meters from the city center.

The staff is friendly and they serve great traditional food. This area can be somewhat unsafe at night so please don’t walk around alone. It is best to drive or use a registered taxi while in downtown Limon.

The following timetable provides valuable information and keeps track of the future cruise shiparrivals from all major cruise lines. Inorder to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departuretimes just follow the ship’s link. If you haven’t pre-booked shore excursions there will be plenty of people offering tours.

Buses might run only every three hours and bad roads and construction delays could cause you to miss your ship. So while you could take a bus, you run the risk of not getting back on time. Here’s an aerial 360 degree view of the port and town (use your mouse or fingers to turn) taken from within Vargas de Limon Park, located next to the cruise terminal. While a bit further away (about a 45-minute drive), Playa Cahuita is worth considering for its natural beauty. It's part of Cahuita National Park, offering not only gorgeous beaches but also opportunities for snorkeling along the coral reef. Port Puerto Limon cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month.

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