Confusingly, Limón can describe three places in the same region of Costa Rica: the county of Limón, the province of Limón and the capital city of both the county and the province, also called Limón. For the purposes of this article, we will describe Limón as the province which lies along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. The majority of the territory is within the country’s Caribbean lowlands. However, the southwestern portion of the province hosts the Cordillera de Talamanca, an extensive mountain range.
Christopher Columbus was the first European to arrive in Limón. He did so in 1502 on his last journey to America. Given the local resistance and the hot and humid climate, the Spanish soon gave up the idea of colonizing the area. From 1873 to 1884, Costa Rica built a railroad from San José to Puerto Limón which would drastically change the economy of the country by enabling shipping routes from the Caribbean port.
Limón province is also significantly less developed than elsewhere in Costa Rica. Electricity only arrived to the area in 1976. However, significant investment in recent years has signaled a change in attitude and provided some hope for the future.
Other attractions
The Province of Limón is for adventure lovers. Here several national parks give way to hiking, rafting and wildlife spotting opportunities. A few of the favorite parks include Tortuguero National Park and Cahuita National Park. There is also a highly rated jaguar center called the Foundation Jaguar Rescue Center where you can learn about the big cats. Beautiful beaches are bountiful, particularly Puerto Viejo Beach and Playa Chiquita, and surfing among the Caribbean waves is a popular pastime for both locals and visitors alike. The Luluberlu Art Gallery and Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve add a cultural element to a stay in Limón. Finally, don’t miss the opportunity to learn about and taste the results of the local chocolate production areas.
Getting there
The closest international airport to Limón is in San Jose. Flights originating around the world fly directly to Costa Rica. From the airport, a 3 hour journey is required by car, private transfer or bus. However, the best way to visit Limón is by cruise ship. These boats often dock at Puerto Limón on their way to or from the Panama Canal.
Note - Travel to any destination may be adversely affected by conditions including (but not limited) to security, entry and exit requirements, health conditions, local laws and culture, natural disasters and climate. Regardless of your destination, check your local travel advisory board or department for travel advice about that location when planning your trip and again shortly before you leave.
