7-in-1 Combo Tour: Tortuguero Canals Shore Excursion
Recommended by 92% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Limon, Costa Rica
- 4 to 5 hours (approx.)
- Pickup offered
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
Explore our promoted experiences
Overview
Explore Costa Rica's port city of Limon during this private whirlwind tour combining history and nature. Learn about Limon's early beginnings, visit a local banana plantation, take a scenic road trip along the coast, and cruise through the Tortuguero Canals to immerse yourself in Tico culture. There's no better way to get the most out of your time in Limon.
- Roundtrip transportation from your hotel or cruise terminal
- Experience all of what this vibrant port city has to offer
- Watch for wildlife while cruising up Tortuguero canals
- Discover Costa Rica's long and fascinating history with bananas
What's Included
- Port pickup and drop-off
- Bottled water
- Fresh Fruits
- Air-conditioned vehicle
- WiFi on board
- Bilingual tour guide
- Boat tour in Tortuguero Canal
- Food and drinks
- Tips (optional)
Meeting and Pickup
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Pickup details
Your tour begins inside the pier, where our guides will be waiting for you with a sign displaying your name. Look for our red shirts for easy identification. We offer pickup right inside the pier, so there’s no need to walk outside the facilities. Timing: Tours are scheduled 30 minutes after your ship docks, with the earliest tour starting at 8:00 AM. As the best local tour operator, we guarantee your return to the cruise ship (This tour is exclusive for cruise ship passengers)
Operating hours.8:00 am
Itinerary
1
Moin Dock, Canales de Tortuguero
1 hour • Admission Ticket Included
2
Banana Plantation Tour And Gift Shop
30 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
3
Finca Filadelfia - Fresh Del Monte
10 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
4
Mangrove Souvenir and Fruit Shop
20 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Puerto Limon (Pass By)
5
Playa Bonita
40 minutes • Admission Ticket Free
Puerto Limon (Pass By)
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Most travelers can participate
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Experience our full-day shore excursion designed exclusively for cruise passengers!
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 20 travelers
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Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Reviews
4.6
based on 107 reviews
Zoraida_M, Mar 2026
The scenery was absolutely breathtaking—lush, vibrant, and unforgettable—but what made the experience even more special were our hostess, Rachel, and our driver, Alex.
Rachel was incredible—warm, attentive, and genuinely caring. She went above and beyond to make sure we were comfortable and enjoying every moment, even taking us out of her way to give us a local experience. That personal touch meant so much.
Alex was just as wonderful—professional, friendly, and funny. He made us feel safe and relaxed throughout the entire journey.
Together, they made the experience seamless and memorable. I would absolutely recommend this tour, and I’m so grateful we had Rachel and Alex guiding us through such a beautiful place.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your beautiful and thoughtful review!
We’re thrilled to hear that you enjoyed the breathtaking scenery, and even more so that Rachel and Alex made your experience truly special. Rachel’s warmth and genuine care, along with her dedication to creating meaningful, local experiences, are exactly what we strive for. It’s wonderful to know those personal touches made such an impact.
We’re also glad to hear that Alex helped you feel safe, relaxed, and entertained throughout the journey—his professionalism and friendly nature are a big part of what makes our tours run so smoothly.
We’ll be sure to share your kind words with both of them—they’ll be delighted to hear this!
Thank you again for your recommendation. It would be our pleasure to welcome you back for another unforgettable experience in Costa Rica! 🌿
Marilyn_G, Mar 2026
My friends and I loved the itinerary of this excursion especially seeing the monkeys, sloths, birds, and other animals along the river.
We also enjoyed the company and guidance of our tour guide, Mr Pablo. He was very knowledgeable, patient, funny, friendly, honest, and professional. Everyone in our group enjoyed his humor and made or tour really fun. We learned a lot from him !
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re thrilled to hear that you and your friends loved the itinerary and had the chance to see so much of Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife along the river.
It’s especially wonderful to know that Mr. Pablo made such a positive impact on your experience. His knowledge, patience, and sense of humor truly make each tour special, and we’re glad your group had such a fun and memorable time with him.
We really appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! 🌿🐒
Douglas_T, Mar 2026
Full package tour to explore flora and fauna of Costs Rica. River cruise seeing herons and kingfishers. Banana plantation with lots of other fruits. Cahuitay national park where families of monkeys swing thru the trees. Interesting history notes from our excellent guide Pablo. A great way to get a good sense of Costa Rica with limited time.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you for your wonderful review! We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed the full experience and that the tour gave you a great overview of Costa Rica’s incredible flora and fauna.
It’s great to know that you had the chance to spot wildlife such as herons and kingfishers during the river cruise, visit the banana plantation, and observe the monkey families in **Cahuita National Park**. These moments are exactly what we hope our guests will experience when exploring the Caribbean side of the country.
We’re also very happy to hear your kind words about Pablo. Our guides work hard to share the natural beauty and history of the region, and we’ll be sure to pass along your compliments to him.
Thank you again for joining us. We’re glad we could help you experience so much of Costa Rica in a short time, and we hope to welcome you back for another adventure in the future! 🌿🐒🚤
Giuseppe_S, Mar 2026
Excellent experience. Well organized.
Pablo went over and above. Tasty fruit. Highly recommend.
Very informative.
Response from Host, Mar 2026
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear that you had an excellent experience and that everything was well organized. Pablo will be especially happy to know that his efforts made such a positive impact on your tour.
We’re also glad you enjoyed the fresh fruit and found the tour informative. Your recommendation truly means a lot to us. We hope to welcome you again on another adventure in Costa Rica! 🌿☀️
bsg56981, Feb 2026
Great small group tour! While we saw FULL bus loads of tourists taking a lot of time to load and unload, we zipped in and out of our stops. Our tour guide was excellent.
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you for your great feedback. We’re glad to hear that you enjoyed the small group format and that it allowed for a smoother, more efficient experience compared to larger bus tours.
It’s wonderful to know that the pacing of the tour and the quality of the guiding made a positive difference for you. We truly appreciate you choosing us and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
Peter_L, Feb 2026
Limon is a very diversified area and to see it in a spotless van, great driver, and special tour guide, Jose, it was worth every dime! We will use Viator again, without question!
Response from Host, Feb 2026
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. We’re delighted to hear that you enjoyed discovering Limón and that the cleanliness of the vehicle, the professionalism of the driver, and José’s guiding all contributed to such a positive day.
It’s especially rewarding to know that you felt the tour was truly worth it. Your trust in booking through Viator again means a great deal to us. We sincerely appreciate your feedback and would be happy to welcome you back for another memorable experience in Costa Rica.
Eddie_R, Jan 2026
Pablo C. was a great tour guide. He was very informative, knowledgeable and friendly. We couldn't have asked for more. Thank you Pablo!
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experience!
We’re delighted to hear that Pablo C. made such a positive impression with his knowledge, professionalism, and friendly attitude. He truly enjoys sharing his passion for Costa Rica, and feedback like yours means a lot to him and to our entire team.
We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Pablo. We hope to have the pleasure of welcoming you again on another tour in the future!
Warm regards,
**Syl Travel Team**
Terry_G, Jan 2026
Excellent tour. Timely pickup right at the port. Our guide, Pablo was excellent. We saw lots of wildlife in the canals. Banana plantation exhibit was very informative. Lots of good fruit to sample. Overall a very positive experience.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you very much for your excellent review.
We are delighted to hear that your experience started smoothly with a timely pickup right at the port and that Pablo provided outstanding guidance throughout the tour. It is great to know you enjoyed the canal wildlife sightings, the informative banana plantation visit, and the opportunity to sample a variety of fresh local fruits.
Your positive feedback truly reflects the experience we aim to provide to all our guests. Thank you for choosing us, and we hope to welcome you again on a future visit to Costa Rica.
Mogandt, Jan 2026
Mainly a bus tour with short stops. The walkabout the farm was really good, gen gave lots of good information about the flora and fauna. We also unexpectedly saw sloths and howler monkeys. The fruit demonstration was also very interesting.
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your feedback with us.
We appreciate your honest perspective and are pleased to hear that you enjoyed the farm walk, the fruit demonstration, and the informative explanations provided by Gen. It is always rewarding when guests gain a deeper understanding of Costa Rica’s flora and fauna, and the unexpected sightings of sloths and howler monkeys are certainly a special bonus.
This tour is designed to balance panoramic sightseeing by vehicle with short, meaningful stops to showcase key highlights in a comfortable way. We are glad that the educational aspects and wildlife encounters stood out positively during your experience.
Thank you again for joining us. We hope to have the opportunity to welcome you back for another tour in the future.
Clare_G, Jan 2026
Learnt a lot about the island and wildlife and vegetation from our guide Paulo
Made a stop road side so we could photo a travelling sloth
Response from Host, Jan 2026
Thank you for sharing your experience. We are delighted to hear that Paulo provided such an informative tour and helped you learn more about the island’s wildlife and vegetation. Making a roadside stop to safely observe and photograph a traveling sloth is exactly the kind of authentic moment we aim to offer. We appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on a future adventure.
Alan_S, Dec 2025
We saw sloths, alligators, many different types of birds and generally has a good time. The guide was very good at spotting wildlife.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you very much for sharing your experience. We are delighted to hear that you were able to see such a variety of wildlife, including sloths, alligators, and many species of birds. Spotting wildlife in its natural habitat is one of the highlights of this tour, and we are especially pleased to know that your guide’s expertise made a difference.
We truly appreciate your feedback and hope to welcome you again on another tour in the future.
Preeta_B, Dec 2025
Jose was an excellent tour guide - kind, knowledgeable, and diligent. Good window into the flora and fauna of the region.
Response from Host, Dec 2025
Thank you so much for sharing your experience!
We’re delighted to hear that José provided you with such a kind, knowledgeable, and attentive guided tour. It’s wonderful to know that his explanations helped you gain a deeper appreciation for the region’s flora and fauna — that’s exactly the kind of meaningful experience we aim to offer.
We truly appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback, and we’re glad your visit was memorable. If you ever return to explore more of Costa Rica, we’d be happy to assist you again.
Karen_C, Oct 2025
Great tour! We enjoyed it all - canal tour, organic fruit farm, national park. Rosa had an eagle eye spotting all the nature.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! 🌿 We’re delighted to hear you enjoyed the canal tour, fruit farm, and national park — it sounds like a perfect day in nature. Rosa will be so pleased to know her sharp eye for wildlife made your tour even more special. We truly appreciate your kind words and hope to see you again on another adventure in Costa Rica! 🇨🇷✨
Joseph_E, Mar 2025
Our tour guide met us on the pier and was on time. Very personable and knowledgeable. Had a great time and offered multiple options. Would use this particular guide again.
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're glad to hear that your guide provided a punctual, knowledgeable, and flexible experience. It’s great that you had multiple options to tailor the tour to your interests. We truly appreciate your recommendation and would love to welcome you back for another fantastic tour in the future! 🚢🌟
Howard_g, Mar 2025
Emma did fantastic tour taking us to all the sights.
We enjoyed all the many sights which included the canals, Limon, etc.
We were the only 2 people on the tour, so it was especially excellent
Response from Host, Mar 2025
Thank you for sharing your experience! We're thrilled to hear that Emma provided a fantastic and personalized tour for you. It’s wonderful that you enjoyed the diverse sights, including the canals and Limon. Having a private tour certainly makes it even more special! We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Emma. We hope to welcome you back for more memorable adventures in Costa Rica! 🌟🚤🌴
Pamela_L, Feb 2025
The instructions were easy to follow. The staff were friendly and the tour was informative. I will continue to use Viator for excursions because the tours are great and they usually save us money compared to the tours through the cruise line!
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that you found the instructions easy to follow, enjoyed the friendly staff, and had an informative tour. It's great to know that Viator's excursions continue to meet your expectations and provide excellent value. We look forward to helping you create more wonderful travel experiences in the future!
Diana_B, Feb 2025
Our guide Nicole and driver were excellent. Very knowledgeable. Beautiful country. Friendly people and enjoyable.
Response from Host, Feb 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We're delighted to hear that Nicole and your driver provided an excellent experience. Costa Rica truly is a beautiful country with warm and friendly people, and we’re glad you enjoyed your time. If you ever plan another trip, we'd love to help make it just as memorable! Safe travels! 🌿🇨🇷😊
Joe_H, Jan 2025
We had a great experience on this tour. Got to travel in the canal and see nature…crocodile, birds and sloths. We then toured area and learned about banana farming and various other plants and fruits. Everyone was able to sample Costa Rican coffee and later baby bananas. We also had a delicious meal of chicken, beans and rice, some ceviche and of course cocktails.
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! It sounds like you had an amazing time exploring the canals and encountering Costa Rica’s incredible wildlife. The combination of nature, local culture, and delicious food truly makes for a memorable tour. We’re glad you enjoyed learning about banana farming, tasting the local flavors, and of course, the refreshing cocktails! If you ever return, we’d love to help plan another adventure for you. Pura Vida! 🌿🐊🍌🍹
James_R, Jan 2025
Great tour guide, Rych, took us to the Tortuguero canals, saw Howler monkeys, sloths and crocodiles plus much more, good visit and ended at beautiful Playa Bonita, fantastic !
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that Rych provided such a great tour and that you got to see such incredible wildlife, including howler monkeys, sloths, and crocodiles. Ending the day at beautiful Playa Bonita sounds like the perfect touch to a fantastic outing. We hope to welcome you back to Costa Rica for more unforgettable adventures. Pura vida! 🌿🐒🌴
Rachael_R, Jan 2025
My husband and I had a wonderful experience in Costa Rica visiting several highlights of this amazing country! Our driver, Alex, and tour guide, Jose, were THE BEST! We were greeted at the port by a smiling Alex who was holding a sign with my name--wearing red shirts is a great idea, as he was easy to find!
Alex provided wonderful commentary along the way as we drove from one stop to the next and gave informative and interesting tours at each of the stops.
The highlight was the boat ride through the Tortuguero Canal, and we were fortunate to see a sloth coming down from a tree and were able to get some amazing pictures.
We would highly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Costa Rica--and you should definitely request Jose and Alex if they are available!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for sharing such a glowing review! It’s wonderful to hear that you and your husband had such a memorable experience in Costa Rica. Alex and Jose will be thrilled to know how much you appreciated their efforts to make your trip enjoyable and informative. The detail about the red shirts is fantastic feedback—it’s great to know it helped make your arrival seamless!
Spotting a sloth in the Tortuguero Canal must have been magical, and it’s always a treat to capture those special moments in nature. We’re so glad the tour exceeded your expectations, and we truly appreciate your recommendation.
If you ever decide to return for another adventure, we’d be delighted to help make it just as incredible. Pura vida! 🌿
Jetty_A, Jan 2025
It’s a large van and unless you’re sitting in the front row of the van it’s tight getting in and out and not very comfortable. Directions on finding the tour company needs improvement as we were not the only couple who had issues finding the meeting spot. Rosa, the tour guide was extremely knowledgeable and was super friendly, kind and helpful to all guests. I’d give her a 5 star and the tour a 3 star. We didn’t end up going to the beach as it was raining and by guests vote, which we agreed upon, we skipped this stop. The stop at the fruit stand gave us an opportunity to try some fruit. Loved the stop at the banana plantation. Found out how banana’s are grown and harvested, which was very educational!
Response from Host, Jan 2025
Thank you for your detailed feedback! We're glad to hear that Rosa made a positive impact on your experience with her knowledge, friendliness, and attentiveness—it sounds like she truly deserved her 5 stars! 🌟
We appreciate your honest input about the van's seating comfort and the challenges in locating the meeting spot. These are areas we’ll work to improve for future tours, ensuring a smoother experience for all guests. It’s also great to know you enjoyed the educational visit to the banana plantation and trying fresh fruit, even with the rainy weather altering the itinerary.
Your comments help us refine our services, and we’re grateful you took the time to share them. If you have any other suggestions or if we can assist with future adventures, please let us know! 🌴🍌
Robert_K, Dec 2024
Fun!Fun!Fun! Staff were helpful, courteous, and conscientious about protecting the ecosystems that we visited. I would do it again.
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for your enthusiastic review! We're thrilled you had such a great time and appreciated our commitment to the environment. We'd love to have you join us again for more fun adventures! 😊
Karla_B, Dec 2024
Loved it. So organized. Rosa and Mario were fantastic. Just enough time at each place. Thanks Viator
Response from Host, Dec 2024
It sounds like you had a wonderful and seamless experience! Rosa and Mario must have done an excellent job making sure everything was enjoyable and well-organized. Glad to hear the timing at each stop was just right, ensuring you got the most out of the tour without feeling rushed. 🌟
Thanks for sharing your feedback—Viator will be happy to hear it! Let me know if you'd like assistance planning another adventure. 😊
Richard_S, Dec 2024
Basic . Guide was very good. Itinerary not so good. Didn’t get into banana plantation.
Spent too much time at souvenir shops and beach .
Response from Host, Dec 2024
Thank you for sharing your experience with us. We're glad to hear that you found the guide to be excellent! However, we’re sorry to learn that the itinerary didn’t fully meet your expectations. We understand the importance of balancing activities and will take your comments into account.
Regarding the banana plantation, we’d like to clarify that, due to strict sanitary measures, it’s not possible to enter the plantation itself. Instead, we provide an external view and a simulation at the souvenir stop to showcase how the work is carried out. Your feedback helps us improve, and we hope to provide a better experience next time!
Jim_G, Feb 2024
Linda and I were met by Risheylin (tour guide) and Gato (driver). They were terrific. We were the only people on the tour, and were treated to an extraordiary day touring Limon. Our first stop was on the canals, where our captain was able to show us sloths (both sleeping and moving) and any different types of birds. Unfortunately, we did not see any crocodiles. After returning to shore, we sampled coffee, cocoa and pineapple -- all very good. Then a tour of Limon and the city. Overall, a very enjoyable experience. 5 Stars.
Dustin_C, Dec 2023
One of a kind, highly memorable and awe-inspiring excursion and a private tour on top of that! Left from the dock as soon as we arrived, was given water and fresh fruit post canal ride and our driver was also our plantation tour guide and very informative and on point!
The car ride was ok, but very bumpy / older sedan, ac fan not strong so was a bit hot for some of the trip.
Canal boat driver/guide had quit a bit of trouble controlling the throttle arm and wasn't quite sure what to show us on the tour. However he did redeem himself and found a caiman, baby sloth, massive iguana and plenty of water fowl!
Joan_K, Dec 2023
What a great outing in Limon. Our guide and driver took us around the island to see different communities. Really enjoyed the canal tour, sampling local fruits, souvenir shopping and a fabulous lunch in Limon. Would highly recommend this tour.
Jo_M, Feb 2023
WHEELCHAIR USER- the tour itself was good, but the experience as a wheelchair user was awful. Since the description said it was accessible, but some reviews said it was hit or miss, I decided to call Viator to book directly a few weeks ahead of time. They told me they were sending an email to the company with my questions 1- was the van accessible for me to stay in my chair, we're we able to start later than the available 10:00 start since we get to port later?
I was sent a few emails saying that Viator hadn't heard from Syl Tours yet, but they gave me their phone number. I decided to contact Syl through WhatsApp and was told that an accessible van with a ramp would be provided and that a later pick-up is fine.
When we arrived at the port, we were met by someone who accompanied us to a tiny red vehicle. I mentioned that we were supposed to have the van and he we and got some others. They offered to put my chair in the back of the car!!!! Nope. Then they said they were taking us on a van that they could put the chair in the back... Which meant I would have to get in and out of the chair and climb three steps into the van at every stop. I am only slightly ambulatory and this was very painful and by the end of the day I was in extreme pain.
They also put us in a van with another group of three people. I mentioned that we had paid for a private tour, so they asked if we would mind riding with others. When I reminded them that I paid more for it to be private they offered me $50 to let the others join. I agreed, but the other people complained about EVERYTHING which is exactly why I wanted a private tour. I sent Syk a message on WhatsApp and they said they would give me 50% off a future your... Like I hope over to Costa Rica from New York all the time....
Ultimately, our guide Alex was fantastic. He was knowledgable, fun and helpful. The boat ride was spectacular and we saw all sorts of wildlife. The people at the boat ride couldn't have been more helpful getting me in and out of the boat and the captain made sure that everyone in every seat saw every animal. His excitement was palpable and actually adorable.
Lastly, the visit to the banana plantation didn't even involve going inside the gate. We pulled up next to the sign and he told us some information about the companies and not letting the bananas fall.
Overall, for someone able, it might be a 4. For someone who needs to remain in their chair, skip this one.
Joseph_S, Feb 2020
It appears that the city is very poor, as well as quite dirty. Also Considering it was Sunday and most everything was closed our tour guide Enrique provided a lot of history information. There was one situation about communication between Viator and the boat ride. While visiting the only open market our driver got a call to immediately go to the boat launch as our boat for 2 was waiting. Once we got there our guide was told it left and we were to go to another dock. We got in the boat and the boat driver was pulling out before our tour guide was able to get into the boat, saying he was our river boat guide. This boater would either troll slowly or go way to fast. Our ride became a 45 minute ride and not an hour. When Viator vets these boat drivers they should be more careful. The remainder of our tour was fine and our guide Enrique spoke very very good English as well as he had a good understanding of the language.
Joseph_F, Jul 2019
I had booked a 7 in 1 combo tour so that we could have a PRIVATE TOUR with our own private guide. I made it clear to the Viator coordinator that the main 3 things we wanted to do included the Rain Forrest canopy tour and walk, canal site seeing tour and shopping for local gifts. When we met up with our guide, I was told that the canopy tour was not included. Then when we arrived at the canal tour, we had to wait for 20 minutes for others to arrive before taking our tour even though we were paying for a PRIVATE TOUR. Then I said we didn't need to go to the Banana Plantation and would rather spend more time at the Rain Forest, however I was told that we needed to see the Banana Plantation because that was something everyone should see in Costa Rica. My teens and I did not have any interest stopping there but we did anyway and took the photo for him. Then were taken to a beach with a restaurant when we told our guide we weren't hungry but again he told us this would be a great spot to see. I told him we didn't have our bathing suits so all we did is take a photo and then get back in the van. It was a waste of time when we could have spent more time in the Rain Forest. Our guide was knowledgeable and friendly but I don't feel he listened to what we wanted to do for our private tour although Viator assured me that by paying extra for the "Private Tour" that I would be able to tell our guide exactly what we wanted to see during our tour. We didn't want to see 7 sights, only 3 so I thought we could spend more time seeing nature and then a little shopping (which we only had the shop near the restaurant nothing special and didn't buy anything) and not go to the other areas. I would be very skeptical before booking a Private Tour again with Viator. If you book this tour, make sure you get in writing exactly what you will see otherwise, take the lessor expensive tour.
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