Limón travel guide
Limón, Costa Rica: an honest port city guide
A busy port city on the Caribbean coast, where bananas and pineapples ship out and cruise ships dock. Honestly, it’s not a place you’ll want to spend time, but here’s what to know if you’re passing through.
By Sarah & Thomas, calling Costa Rica home since 2016
Best Time
Late Jul to Oct
From San José
About 2.5 hours
Best Airport
SJO
Cruise port
Walk to downtown
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Our take
Who Limón is for
Limón is a port city, not a vacation spot. It’s where a lot of Costa Rica’s exports ship out, like bananas headed to the US East Coast and pineapples going to Europe. Honestly, you’re probably not going to spend any time here, and we wouldn’t suggest it.
When you might end up here: Limón has a big bus terminal, so if you’re traveling up from Panama you could get stuck here overnight. And if you’re arriving by cruise ship, this is where you’ll dock.
Where to stay instead: We don’t suggest staying in the city. Cahuita, about an hour south, or Puerto Viejo make a much nicer base.
Cruise day
Getting off the ship
The cruise port is right by the city center, with taxi stands and souvenir shops. If you take a taxi, use an official one: they’re red with a yellow triangle on the doors and charge the regulated fare. Unofficial drivers are known to majorly overcharge.
Plan your day
We would not plan to just hang out in Limón. It’s not a place you want to be. Definitely book a shore excursion, like Cahuita National Park or the Tortuguero canals, and be back at the ship with plenty of time to spare. Our full cruise guide is coming soon.
Good to know
US dollars are widely accepted. Bring all the sun protection you can handle: the UV index here is high.
Getting there
Getting to Limón
Driving from San José
The drive is not too bad for first-time Costa Rica drivers. Getting through San José can be stressful, and the road through Braulio Carrillo National Park is really pretty but curvy, with road work that has caused big backups.
You don’t need a 4×4, but a car with a bit of power helps in the national park. A domestic flight is the fastest way to get here, but it costs more.
For more info:
Rental car
Adobe gives our readers 10% off, a free second driver and 0% deductible on liability protection.
Bus and shuttles
The Mepe bus from San José takes about 2.5 hours and costs about $12. Take the bus toward Sixaola and get off at the Limón terminal. For shared shuttles, use Bookaway with code SARAHMC5 for 5% off.
Where it is
Limón (also called Puerto Limón) is on the Caribbean coast, south of Tortuguero and north of Cahuita.
Good to know: Downtown can be somewhat unsafe at night, so drive or use a registered taxi and don’t walk around alone after dark.
Weather
Limón weather and best time to visit
Temperature and rain by month
Swipe to see all months →
Average daytime highs and rainfall in Limón. Bars show relative rainfall. Sunrise and sunset are for the 15th of each month.
Driest months
The Caribbean has its own weather. The best weather is usually late July to October, and August almost completely dries up.
Rainy months
Mid-December through July tends to be wetter, but it’s unpredictable. Usually when it rains, it rains at night, and it stays warm.
Best time
Late Jul to Oct
Sunrise / Sunset
about 5:30 AM / about 5:30 PM
Carnival
Around Oct 12
Our tip
Visiting in October? Limón Carnival takes over the city for about a week around October 12 (Día de las Culturas), with parades, calypso and Caribbean food.
Where to stay
Where to stay in Limón
Hotel Playa Westfalia
Beachfront · Pool · Breakfast included
Right on the beach, with a private pool, an on-site restaurant and breakfast included.
Aptos Casa Caribe
Budget · Hostel rooms · Private doubles
Hostel-style rooms for budget travelers, plus private double rooms.
Honestly: there aren’t many hotel options in Limón, and they don’t have the best ratings. Martas Guesthouses is a basic one-bedroom apartment with a small kitchen, very simple and dark, but fine if you just need a place to sleep and cook.
See where to stay in Cahuita instead →
Better bases nearby
Stay in Cahuita or Puerto Viejo
We don’t suggest staying in the city of Limón. Cahuita is about an hour south, with a relaxed vibe and a beautiful national park. Puerto Viejo is a little further, with more restaurants and nightlife.
Heading north? Tortuguero is only reachable by boat or plane, and it’s one of our favorite spots in the country.
For more options, we suggest VRBO. Browse Limón rentals on VRBO →
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Things to do
Things to do in Limón
Our favorite
Cahuita National Park
About an hour from Limón, Cahuita lets you see a ton of wildlife in a short amount of time. It’s just amazing.
Good to know
A guided tour includes transport and a guide who’ll spot animals you’d miss, which is ideal on a cruise day.
Boat ride
Tortuguero canals
Tortuguero is a series of river waterways, and a boat tour is a great way to spot wildlife and see the canals.
Good to know
Have more time? Tortuguero is one of our favorite places in Costa Rica, and it’s worth staying two nights.
Playa Bonita
The closest beach to the cruise port, a short taxi ride from downtown, with restaurants nearby.
Limón Carnival
Around October 12, the city celebrates its Afro-Caribbean culture with about a week of parades, calypso, soca and Caribbean food.
Visit Puerto Viejo
The Caribbean’s favorite beach town is further south past Cahuita, with beaches, surfing and nightlife.
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Where to eat
Where to eat in Limón
Gecko Grill
Our top pick · Caribbean · Cocktails
Our top choice in the area, so make it your first pick. Good Caribbean food, delicious cocktails and consistently great service.
Restaurant Cocorí
Beachfront · Seafood
Not a bad spot for beachfront views and seafood.
Red Snapper Restaurant
Traditional · Friendly staff
We’ve always had good experiences here. The staff is friendly, and they serve great traditional food.
Caribbean food to try
Rice & beans · Rondón · Patí
Look for Caribbean rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, rondón (a coconut seafood stew) and patí, a spiced meat pastry.
Practical stuff
Good to know before you go
Good to know
Packing for Limón
Shore day
Breathable shorts, a t-shirt and shoes you can easily walk in.
Sun protection
Don’t forget all the sun protection you can handle. The UV index here is high!
Rain jacket
A light one: it can rain any time on this coast.
Travel insurance
Always a good idea. It’s not just for injury, but for theft, trip interruptions, and lost luggage. We use Heymondo.
Good to know
Safety
Please take your safety seriously here. It’s unusual that anything happens, but petty crime can occur.
Getting around
Getting around Limón
It’s best to drive or use a registered taxi in downtown Limón. The area can be somewhat unsafe at night, so please don’t walk around alone.
Rental car
Best if you’re continuing to Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or the boat docks for Tortuguero.
Taxis
Official taxis are red with a yellow triangle on the doors and charge the regulated fare. Unofficial drivers are known to overcharge.
FAQ
Limón FAQ: your questions
Is Limón, Costa Rica worth visiting?
Not really. Limón is a port city, not a vacation spot. You might pass through on a cruise or by bus, but we suggest heading to Cahuita, Puerto Viejo or Tortuguero instead.
What is there to do in Limón on a cruise?
Don’t plan to just hang out in the city. Book a shore excursion: Cahuita National Park (about an hour away) and the Tortuguero canals are the most popular. Playa Bonita is the closest beach. Our full cruise guide is coming soon.
Is Limón safe?
It’s unusual that anything happens, but petty crime can occur. Use official taxis, and don’t walk around downtown alone at night.
How do I get from the Limón cruise port to the beach?
Playa Bonita is the closest beach, a short ride from the port. Use an official red taxi with a yellow triangle on the door.
How far is Cahuita from Limón?
About an hour by car, making it the most popular day trip from Limón.
How do I get from San José to Limón?
Drive through Braulio Carrillo National Park, take the Mepe bus (about 2.5 hours, around $12) or book a shuttle. A domestic flight is fastest but pricier.
Where should I stay near Limón?
We suggest staying in Cahuita or Puerto Viejo instead of the city. Both are much nicer bases.
When is Limón Carnival?
Around October 12 (Día de las Culturas). It usually runs for about a week, with parades, music and Caribbean food.
Why would I end up in Limón?
Usually for one of two reasons: your cruise ship docks here, or you’re traveling by bus from Panama and need to stop overnight at the big bus terminal.
Keep exploring
More towns in Caribbean Coast
Planning more of the region? See our full Caribbean Coast guide.
