This blog may contain affiliate links. Read our disclosure policy for more info.
Looking to make the most of your time in Puerto Limon either on your own or on a cruise ship stop?
There’s a lot to see in the city of Limon, and plenty of adventures to be had nearby. So if you’re only here for the day, we highly recommend booking a guided tour to make the most of your time. Otherwise, the delights of Limon might just pass you by!
We’ve traveled Costa Rica extensively and have even lived here, so we’ve definitely done our fair share of tours. At this point, we definitely know what makes a great shore excursion, so we’ve rounded up our top picks to help you get the most out of your time in Limon.
Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
Don’t have time to read the full article?
Our personal FAVORITE tour is this half-day wildlife tour. Hike in the Veragua Rainforest, spot epic wildlife, and cruise along the Tortuguero Canals. Check all the glowing reviews and book this tour here!
Tip: This tour is popular, be sure to book it in advance and gain access to FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go!
- Quick Pick: Our Favorite Tour
- 1. Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon
- 2. 6-Hour Wildlife Tour to Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canals
- 3. Tortuguero Canals, Banana Plantation, and Beach Half-Day Tour
- 4. Private 6-Hour Puerto Limon Highlights Tour
- 5. Half-Day Combo Tour: Zipline Adventure, Tortuguero Canals, and Playa Bonita
- Where to Stay in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
- Pura Vida!
- Why We Book Tours with Viator
- Getting Around Costa Rica
- Don't Forget Travel Insurance!
1. Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon
- Price: $99 USD
- Duration: 6-8 hours
- Time: between 7:30 am and 9 am
- Highlights: Puerto Limon city tour, Tortuguero canals cruise, banana plantation visit, hiking in Cahuita National Park, beach visit
- Inclusions: pickup and dropoff, all transport, national park admission fees, canal cruise, city tour, fruit tasting, bottled water, fruit juice
- Pickup from: Puerto Limon cruise port
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 190+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
This full-day tour is a fantastic Puerto Limon cruise excursion, but you don’t have to be a cruise passenger to enjoy it! If you’re staying in the city, it’s a fantastic way to get your bearings and enjoy the stunning surrounding areas without needing to hire your own car.
It kicks off with a city tour, which is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the Afro-Costa Rican culture of Puerto Limon and find some hidden gems that tourists usually miss out on. Then, it’s onto the Tortuguero Canals.
Now, when I say that a Tortuguero canal cruise is a must in Limon, I mean a MUST. These protected canals represent one of the most wildlife-dense areas in the whole of Costa Rica (which is really saying something) and you would not believe how much incredible wildlife we saw here whilst gliding along on our boat cruise.
And of course, there’s plenty of time to make the most of Cahuita National Park. With an expert local guide to help you find the wildlife hotspots and most beautiful hidden beaches, this is hands down the best way to explore the park for those who are short on time in Limon.
We absolutely love this tour and clearly, we’re not the only ones. You can read the dozens of positive reviews here! It runs during peak season and some dates are already sold out, so take advantage of their free cancellation policy and grab your spot today!
Dates are limited – book this top-rated tour in advance here.
2. 6-Hour Wildlife Tour to Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canals
- Price: $165 USD
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: hike through the Veragua rainforest, epic aerial tram ride, close-up views of wildlife, see the Puma Waterfall, visit a biological research station, cruise along the Tortuguero canal
- Inclusions: guided hikes, boat rides, tram tickets, expert tour guides, port pickup and dropoff, all transportation, Tortuguero National Park entry fee
- Pickup from: Puerto Limon cruise port
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (check 18+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
If you’re a wildlife lover, then we can’t recommend this half-day tour enough!
The Veragua Rainforest is one of Costa Rica’s best wildlife hotspots, and it’s renowned for its biodiversity. Best of all, it’s only an hour from Puerto Limón! Getting there by yourself would be way too much hassle for a shore excursion when time is limited, but this tour ensures that you get to make the most of everything the rainforest has to offer.
It’s so much better to go with a guide as you see far more this way. We were absolutely amazed by the wildlife we saw while hiking here, and we loved the beautiful Puma Waterfall, too! Plus, the tour includes a ride on the aerial tram, which goes right up to the treetops. There really aren’t many other places in Costa Rica where you can do this.
The fun certainly doesn’t end there, either, because this tour also visits the Tortuguero Canals, which locals call Costa Rica’s very own Amazon. How cool is that?
Cruising along the canals is an absolute must while you’re in this part of the country. We were blown away by the views and again, this is an unmissable spot for wildlife lovers. There are so many rare creatures to spot here, including green turtles, alligators, and huge iguanas. You really can’t pass up the opportunity to explore!
Last but not least, we love this tour because it’s fantastic value for money. Given that it includes tram tickets (which are $72 USD alone!), transport, entry to Tortuguero National Park, and the canal cruise, I honestly don’t see how you could do this any cheaper by yourself.
Secure this jam-packed day of adventure here and get FREE cancellation 24 hours before you go.
3. Tortuguero Canals, Banana Plantation, and Beach Half-Day Tour
- Price: $63 USD
- Duration: 3-4 hours
- Time: 8 am – 10 am
- Highlights: cruise along the Tortuguero Canals, visit a local banana plantation, time to relax on Playa Bonita, small group tour
- Inclusions: transport, bottled water, fruit tasting, local guide, port pickup and dropoff, Tortuguero National Park entry fee
- Pickup from: Puerto Limon cruise port
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 257+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We think that this half-day tour is amazing value for money and the perfect way to make the most of your day in Limon! It’s the perfect choice for those on a budget or those who want to see wildlife without having to hike. It’s very well-paced and has a nice balance between relaxation and adventure, which sounds ideal to us!
Did you know that Costa Rica is one of the world’s largest exporters of bananas? And many of those are right here in Limon, so of course a visit to a banana plantation is a must. This tour kicks off with a visit to a local plantation, which is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about what life is like for farmers in Limon and of course to taste plenty of fruit.
Then, it’s onto Tortuguero for a boat cruise along the canals which is such a fun adventure and an unmissable opportunity to spot wildlife. After all, Costa Rica is famous for its biodiversity, and the canals were created specifically to protect rare creatures.
Finally, the tour wraps up with time to relax on Playa Bonita. Its name literally means “Beautiful Beach”, which should give you a good idea of what you’re in for! With its golden sand and bright blue water, it’s the perfect place to wrap up a day in Puerto Limon.
This tour runs during peak season. Since it represents such good value for money, it tends to book up weeks ahead of time so don’t wait too long to book your spot. There’s free cancellation and the option to buy now, pay later, so there’s nothing to lose!
Check availability and reserve this tour now, before spots fill up!
Why We Book Tours with Viator
Viator is a trusted online booking system for tours around the world! We almost always book our tours using Viator for a couple of reasons:
- Free cancellation on most tours – Most of the tours on Viator allow you to cancel and get a full refund up to 24 hours in advance. This is handy in case plans change, or if booking an outdoor activity, the weather forecast is looking grim.
- Reserve now and pay later – You can secure your spot on some of the most popular tours well in advance and not pay until closer to the day of the tour.
- Lowest price guarantee – If you happen to find the same tour at a lower price elsewhere, Viator will refund you the price difference.
- Pay in your chosen currency – Avoid costly international transaction fees by choosing to pay in your home currency.
- Peace of mind – When booking with tour operators you find in person on the street or in small booking offices, you are often promised one thing and given another. This online platform holds tour operators accountable with a written description of inclusions as well as the opportunity for customers to leave reviews.
Check out the Viator website here! Or, for more info, read our detailed review about Viator here.
4. Private 6-Hour Puerto Limon Highlights Tour
- Price: $150 – $235 per person
- Duration: 6 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: Limon city tour, Cahuita National Park, banana plantation visit, boat cruise through Tortuguero canals
- Inclusions: national park entry fees, port pickup and drop off, canal cruise, local guide, private guide, and transportation
- Pickup from: Puerto Limon cruise port
- Rating: 4.5 Stars (check 10+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
We love this tour because it’s super well-rounded, offering guests the chance to get a comprehensive overview of what Limón has to offer. So if you’re the kind of person who hates to miss out on anything, then get this private tour booked ASAP!
It kicks off with a visit to Cahuita National Park, which is one of the very best places to see wildlife in Costa Rica. It has beautiful beaches, too, so it’s basically paradise as far as we’re concerned. We were just wowed by the creatures we saw here, which ranged from colorful crabs, lots of snakes, and some super cute sloths. In fact, exploring the park is our favorite thing to do in Limón, so don’t miss the chance to go with a knowledgeable guide who will help you see as much as possible.
Then, there’s a banana plantation visit and an epic boat cruise through the Tortuguero Canals, which are basically wildlife-central. I think it’s safe to say this tour is full of adventures! And finally, the day wraps up with a guided tour of the city of Limón itself.
This tour is such a great opportunity to discover Limón’s rich heritage. Many visitors miss out on this side of the city, so if you’re interested in learning about the Afro-Costa Rican community, we highly recommend booking this tour. Plus, there’s the option to pay later, so why not snag your spot ahead of time before it fills up?
Book this private tour here with FREE cancellation options!
5. Half-Day Combo Tour: Zipline Adventure, Tortuguero Canals, and Playa Bonita
- Price: $142 USD
- Duration: 4-5 hours
- Time: 8 am
- Highlights: 11-cable zipline course, Tortuguero canal cruise, visit to Playa Bonita
- Inclusions: Tortuguero National Park entry fee, zipline admission, boat ride, all safety equipment, transportation, local guide, bottled water, fruit snacks
- Pickup from: Puerto Limon cruise port
- Rating: 5 Stars (check 20+ reviews here)
- Free cancellation: yes
Adventurous travelers, listen up because you won’t want to miss this epic combo tour.
From ziplining through the jungle to cruising along the Tortuguero Canals and relaxing on Playa Bonita, this tour sums up everything we love about Costa Rica. We’ve been ziplining all over the country but doing it in Tortuguero National Park is a pretty unique opportunity – and what a way to make the most of your shore excursion!
There is a ton of wildlife to see amongst the treetops, and then even more as you relax on a Tortuguero canal cruise. We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: you just cannot miss the chance to do this while you are in Limón!
We also love the fact that the tour includes a visit to Playa Bonita. After all, relaxing on a gorgeous beach is a must while you’re exploring the Caribbean coast! This tour is perfectly paced and the time will fly by – but don’t worry, these guys are experts at getting passengers back to the port on time. In fact, at the time of writing, this tour has nothing but 5-star reviews, so you don’t have to just take our word for it.
This is the perfect tour for thrill-seekers and one of the only shore excursions that includes a zipline course. So if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, don’t hesitate to book this tour!
Check all the glowing reviews and book this highly-rated tour before you go, here!
Where to Stay in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica
In Puerto Limón, there aren’t that many options for places to stay. To be honest, most people visit for the day from their cruise. However, if you are planning on spending a few nights in Puerto Limón, you can find an ideal place to stay.
Casa Caribe – $
For budget travelers, Casa Caribe is a top choice if you don’t mind staying in a self-check-in apartment. They are clean, comfortable, and have great reviews.
The property is within walking distance of Playa Bonita, so the location is excellent. Options at Casa Caribe range from shared dorm rooms to private rooms and larger apartments perfect for a group. Rooms begin at around $60 USD per night. You can book on Booking.com.
Park Hotel – $$
Located near the main cruise pier, the Park Hotel is one of the most popular places to stay in Puerto Limon. Some rooms offer ocean views, but they also have a lovely terrace that overlooks the water too! There’s an onsite restaurant that travelers love, and the staff are really friendly and welcoming.
Rooms are clean and comfortable, perfect for a few days in the city. Rates start around $80 USD per night. Check availability and reserve your stay on Booking.com.
Stay in Cahuita Instead
Other than the few hotels mentioned above, most other options are either very similar to the above or not suitable to recommend. Instead, consider staying in Cahuita! You can find lots of nice places to stay there, such as Wildlife Lodge Cahuita, Bungalows Aché Cahuita, and Passion Fruit Lodge.
Getting Around Costa Rica
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.
Renting a Car
Without a doubt, the number one way to explore Costa Rica is in a rental car. We book rental cars on the Discover Cars website as we have had good experiences with them in the past.
One of the things you need to watch for when renting a car in Costa Rica is the mandatory insurance that the government requires you to have. There are a lot of very cheap rentals that don’t include this mandatory insurance (TPL) in the original booking price, but there are also ones that do. To avoid additional surprise charges when you pick up your rental car, be sure to rent a car that includes the mandatory insurance when you book.
Thankfully, on Discover Cars it’s easy to tell apart the companies that include the mandatory insurance and those that don’t. The trick is you can’t pick any car on their website. In the picture below, you can see this rental car, with pick up in Jaco, includes the TPL. That means the mandatory insurance is included in the price. Any cover you get above that is extra.
Of course, I still suggest getting the full coverage offered by Discover Cars, which covers you even more.
You can browse cars on Discover Cars here.
Book Shuttles
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.
Shuttles in Costa Rica are specifically for tourists and often include pick up and drop off at your selected hotels and airports. The drivers also speak some English, and the vehicles have air conditioning. You’ll also be guaranteed a seat when you book a shuttle (which isn’t the case with the public bus system.)
To get the best price, use the website Bookaway. They compare all the offers and prices of shuttle companies in Costa Rica so you get the best price! Honestly, we have saved so much money using Bookaway!
You can search for shuttles online on Bookaway here.
Public Bus
Lastly, you can use the public bus system. On short journeys, such as from San Jose to La Fortuna or Uvita to Manuel Antonio, this system is great. However, the longer the journey the more hassle and time spent on a bus. It’s undoubtedly best to save the public bus in Costa Rica for short and straightforward trips!
The public buses are definitely the cheapest way to get around Costa Rica, but they are not always very reliable and schedules often change without notice and delays are to be expected. The buses can also be very crowded and hot – so just be prepared!
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.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind.
Pura Vida!
Puerto Limón, Costa Rica might not be the most popular tourist destination in Costa Rica but that doesn’t mean there isn’t plenty to see. As you can see from the list above, there are a ton of awesome things to do in Puerto Limón!
Thanks so much for reading! If you liked this blog then you’ll love some of our other Costa Rica guides. So, check them out below, and don’t forget to let us know if you have any questions about your trip to Costa Rica. Pura Vida!
Best places to go kayaking in Costa Rica
21 Things To KNOW Before Visiting Cahuita National Park
25 EPIC Things to do in Puerto Viejo: Beaches, Wildlife, and More!