Afro-Caribbean cool meets urban grit in Costa Rica’s east coast maritime hub, where Spanish mingles with Limon Creole English. With a port that does brisk trade in everything from tropical fruit to coffee, Limon retains its local feel even at the height of cruise season. Travelers arriving by ship get a first taste of Costa Rica’s best-in-class biodiversity and nature here. The city offers an energetic home base for travelers of all kinds, too—things to do in Limon range from palm-fringed beaches to wildlife-rich national parks, rivers, and canals.
Puerto Limon bustles through the mild, sunny months of its December–April high season when travelers enjoy ideal weather for beach days and outdoor exploring. While May through November is considered the “rainy season,” there’s generally plenty of sunshine between tropical cloudbursts, and attractions are usually quiet. The week-long Limon Carnival in October brings crowds for bright parades, street parties, and lots of island-inflected Calypso music.
Many locals get around the compact Puerto Viejo (Old Port) area on foot—you can do the same or rent bicycles or scooters. To go farther afield, make the most of Limon’s network of buses and taxis. You can hop a water taxi from Moin Harbor to Tortuguero National Park (Parque Nacional Tortuguero). If you don’t want to deal with transit, consider tours with time-saving pickup and drop-off; pre-booked shuttle services to San Jose and beyond are another option.
For an introduction to Limon’s distinctive Afro-Caribbean cuisine, try the casual stalls lining the Mercado Municipal on Calle 4. You’ll likely see plenty of grilled fish and ceviche alongside coconut-infused rice and beans, patacones (twice-fried plantains), and the seafood stew known as rondón. To quench your thirst, order some agua de sapo, a refreshing, lemonade-like drink made with fresh ginger whose name means “toad water.”
