Puerto Limon is more commonly known as Limon, Costa Rica; is the 7th largest city in Costa Rica. The port of Limon is most famous for the Tortuguero Canals, the rainforest and the Wildlife Rescue Center. However, Puerto Limon, is also an industrial city, because of their large plantation farms.
I have been through Puerto Limon twice on a cruise that goes through South American and the Caribbean. These cruises provide a little variety than the typical Caribbean cruises, typically cruises out of Miami visit the Caribbean islands. For the typical avid cruiser, they have usually visited the majority of Caribbean islands and they’re looking for something a little different but don’t want to give up on cruising just yet. The beauty of cruising also is that you’re able to visit so many places with only having to unpack once.
Now, the port of Puerto Limon, is mainly focused on their industrial businesses however it doesn’t ignore the culture and their touristic aspect either. My first visit I decided not to do an excursion with the cruise lines, I was curious to explore it for myself and to see what would be available, if anything, once I got off of the ship. Once we got off the ship there were plenty of buses and tour guides there ready to greet us and explain to all of the passengers the different tours and different prices so that we could decide which one was the best fit.
We decided on the simplest one which was the city tour with a stop at a beachside restaurant. We took a tour of their Chiquita banana plant, stopped by the tortuguero canals, and were able to stop and do some shopping from the locals at a fresh market. My favorite part though was eating beachside at a local restaurant. That was our final stop, we were there for about 3 hours. It was a local bar/restaurant that served drinks and their famous rice and beans. Being Latin I though rice and beans were the ones we were used to not thinking much of it, but no it is completely different. The main concept is there it’s rice however the beans are made with coconut milk making it that much better. Also, the beaches in Costa Rica are different than what this Miami girl is used to, the waves are so much stronger and wilder that in January it was a risk getting in that water, I’m more used to the calm, warm waters that we have in Miami.
My second time around I decided to do a tour with the cruise lines, I took what is called the Caribbean train along the countryside. This train ride was absolutely beautiful, and it took us to what is considered as the scenic route is always preferred versus the faster route. After the train ride, we took a tour through the rainforest to visit the sloths which was so cool seeing such animals so close up. Then we took a canal ride through the tortuguero was very interesting. It is nicknamed the Amazon of the Caribbean, sailing through there we were able to check out the huge tortoises and the different animals that make up the rainforest.
All in all, our visit to Costa Rica was a complete success. Visiting the small port side city of Puerto Limon was interesting to say the least and was very fascinating. I always enjoy exploring other cities and cultures, so it was a win in my book. I love the nature that Costa Rica has to offer it has such beautiful sights no matter which city you decide to visit.