Caribbean

These islands are considered continental or river islands since, in contrast to other insular marine territories, they are surrounded mostly by fresh water flowing from the rivers and other freshwater sources that irrigate their flat lands.

Calero is the largest island of its kind in Costa Rica, measuring 156.1 square kilometers (60 square miles). At approximately 44.4 square kilometers (17.15 square miles), Brava is the second largest river island in Costa Rica. Both islands belong to the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge.

In 1502, during Christopher Columbus’s fourth and final journey, he arrived at Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast. Quiribrí Island was Columbus’s first point of contact with the future country. Due to its historical significance, the island was declared a National Monument in 1985.

At the time of Columbus’s arrive, the area’s indigenous residents exhibited signs of vast wealth and riches. Some believe that this display, in addition to the area’s intense natural beauty, caused Columbus to name the new land “Costa Rica,” or “Rich Coast.” The island, which is very beautiful, was known at that time as Quiribrí. Dense, tropical vegetation, rocky cliffs, and coral reefs characterize the island’s scenic allure. Close to its dock, there is also a nice beach.

Quiribrí also offers excellent conditions for scuba diving, snorkeling, and surfing. A ring trail hugs the island’s coast and is open for hiking. In Limón, Columbus’s arrival is celebrated every September 25 with parades, intricate floats, and performances by school bands from Limón-area elementary and high schools.

This exciting activity is situated beside Braulio Carrillo National Park, right after the Zurquí Tunnel at Kilometer 22 on the Guapiles Highway (Route 32). It was built to give visitors the opportunity to enjoy the rainforest canopy, where they can observe species of monkeys and birds, as well as orchids, bromeliads, tree aeoniums, climbing vines, and colorful insects.

From San José, there are two main routes to reach the port city of Limon: via Braulio Carrillo Highway, the shortest route; or through the town of Turrialba, known as the old highway route. The Braulio Carrillo Highway winds approximately 160 kilometers (100 miles) from San José to Limón. Flights to Limón are also possible.

History shows that Christopher Columbus, on his fourth and final journey, landed in what is today known as the Port of Limón. Uvita Island, located just offshore from the port, is home to one of the country’s most beautiful coral reefs and is a nesting spot for beautiful seabirds. The island was declared a National Monument in 1985, due to its historical importance as Christopher Columbus’s first contact with Costa Rica in 1502. When the Spanish arrived, only the Bribrí and Cabécar indigenous peoples, who today live in southern Limón province, inhabited the region.

Over the years, emigrant communities from the Antilles, including Jamaica, have further enriched the diverse profile of Limón’s residents. They came to Costa Rica to work in the cocoa harvest, on construction of the Atlantic railroad, and on banana plantations. The arrival of these Afro-Caribbean groups also brought new customs, language, food and music to the region, traditions which live on today. Chinese immigrants were another ethnic group that helped develop the area surrounding Limón, and they too infused their traditions into the region’s diversifying culture.

Beginning in 1870, with the start of railroad operations, Limón was established as a port for exportation, especially of the country’s banana harvest. Today Limón is Costa Rica’s principal Caribbean port and, in addition to exporting and receiving goods, it is a common port of call for cruise ships.

Due to its strategic location, as the midpoint between the province’s northern and southern boundaries, the Port of Limón is and ideal base for traveling to the Northern or Southern Caribbean.

Caribbean architecture features very valuable buildings located in downtown Limón. These buildings have been declared official sites of historic or architectural interest and include the Black Star Line, Post and Telegraphs Office, and the Municipal Palace.

In the lower bed of the Reventazón River, one of the largest rivers in the county, the roaring Reventazón waters meet with the Parismina River. This river, in particular the areas closest to the river mouth, has an excellent reputation for sport fishing and plentiful catches. There are several fishing lodges in the area that offer everything necessary to enjoy a fishing holiday in the area, which borders Tortuguero National Park to the north. For this reason, Caño Blanco docks are the departure point for many trips to the national park.

This river, an exuberant rush of tropical water, is world famous for its incredible whitewater rafting, an exciting sport that consists of navigating river rapids in rafts or kayaks. The Pacuare is a Class III and IV river, considered to be one of the most beautiful sites in the world for practicing the sport.

During the trip, rafters enjoy the surrounding scenery, which includes waterfalls and Pacuare tributaries that, complemented by lush and evergreen vegetation, create an extraordinarily beautiful backdrop to a river-rafting journey.

This is a navigable river whose basin, featuring many beautiful sights, is protected by the surrounding Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. It is an internationally famous river, due to its worldwide reputation for excellent sport fishing, especially for tarpon; other common catches include sea bass and mackerel.

This is the port of exit for boats that, through a network of river canals, transport merchandise and passengers to Barras de Matina, Parismina and Barra del Colorado. In doing so, the canals interconnect the area’s culturally diverse river communities that are located along the aquatic route’s 112 kilometers (70 miles).

The canals’ unparalleled scenic beauty allows tourists to enjoy very beautiful and contrasting landscapes, especially near the Jalova Lagoon at the southern limits of Tortuguero National Park.

Given that this is a region home to abundant flora and fauna and a great wealth of cultural offerings, rural tourism is another enjoyable option for visitors to the Southern Caribbean. The following destinations offer lodging and other touristic pursuits under the rural tourism model:

• Buena Vista Eco-Tourism Lodge, located nine kilometers (5.5 miles) north of Bribrí, Talamanca, one kilometer (0.6 miles) south of the Mastatal community.

Activities: Organized hikes through the forest and to a waterfall, riding tame buffalos, wildlife watching, local and migratory bird tours, indigenous reserve visits, and horseback riding.

• Carbón Dos Lodge, situated five kilometers (three miles) after Cahuita; one kilometer (0.6 miles) before the entrance to Puerto Vargas, take the right fork and three kilometers (1.9 miles) later is the community of Carbón Dos.

Activities: Hikes or horseback rides into the forest, bird observation from lookout points, waterfall and river lagoon visits, and tours to local farms to observe their production systems.

• Casocode Lodge, located in Los Ángeles de San Miguel de Sixaola.

Activities: Hikes along forest trails and informative talks on sustainable land management, water buffalo, organic home farms, and country life.

• Finca Educativa Lodge, situated in Shiroles, a Talamanca indigenous reserve.

Activities: Visits to local indigenous communities such as the Amubri, Yorkin, and Cachabri, and daytrips to waterfalls located around the Finca.

Another draw of the Southern Caribbean is the possibility of visiting and having contact with several indigenous reserves, located in the Talamanca region. Talamanca was one of the few regions that, during the Colonial period, managed to escape Spanish control.

Keköldi Reserve

The Bribrís live in this reserve, where tourists are welcome to enjoy, in addition to local culture, several attractions such as a green iguana nursery (the Green Iguana Conservation Farm), located in the Patiño community. The indigenous also sell native artisanal goods like hammocks, arrows, and bags.

The reserve welcomes visitors to enjoy its trails, which lead to several areas that are ideal for flora and fauna observation. One of the most appealing aspects is that during the months of January and February and October and November, the park is a resting spot for raptors migrating from the north or south, depending on the season. In total, birdwatchers regularly spot 17 species of raptors, among them eagles, hawks and falcons, often numbering thousands of birds per day – a spectacular phenomenon!

The Cocles River Waterfall, another local attraction, is accessible with help from local guides.

Yorkín

The Yorkín River lent its name to the neighboring Yorkín indigenous community. The community can only be accessed via its namesake river, which originates in the Panamanian section of La Amistad International Park. In addition to appreciating the nature offerings that surround both of the Yorkín River’s lush banks, visitors to the area are welcome to share in the lives of the community’s residents, who work in cocoa (chocolate) and banana commerce. Some also create artisanal goods offered for sale.

The Yorkín community is a good starting point to visit other local destinations including hot springs, waterfalls, and Buena Vista Mountain. From there, all modern transportation methods end and adventuresome visitors begin hiking through virgin forest. They soon arrive at a waterfall, where they can relax and enjoy the cascade’s natural hot springs. Continuing on, hikers arrive at the Uatsi Indigenous Reserve, where they can shop for artisanal creations and enjoy chicha, a typical drink. On the way back, they will pass by the Patiño community and its green iguana farm.

Recognized as one of the most beautiful beaches in the Southern Caribbean, this stretch of sand is part of Cahuita National Park. In fact, this is the point of entry to the southern zone of this protected area. It extends down several kilometers of coastline, from Punta Vargas to the Carbón River mouth. One of its main attractions is the area’s abundant vegetation. In the first section of beach, its waters are so crystal clear that visitors can take boat tours to observe the colorful coral living beneath the sea.

The second section features darker sands and gentle to moderate surf. These favorable conditions extend from Puerto Vargas until the entrance to the beach. The third section goes from this last point to the Carbón River mouth and is features open coast with strong surf. The beach is clean and safe.

This beautiful locale is located one kilometer (0.6 miles) north of the Estrella River. It features a private reserve of approximately 100 hectares (247 acres), where guests can hike, take a boat tour through the canals, and observe flora and fauna, especially migrating birds.

This park boasts the largest tract of protected tropical wet forest in the entire Central American Caribbean. It is also one of the few locations in Costa Rica where sea turtles come on land to nest. In fact, the green sea turtle only lays eggs at Tortuguero National Park and Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. Hawksbill, olive ridley, and leatherback turtles also nest in Tortuguero.

Without a doubt, a particular attraction of this region is the web of river canals that connect the Port of Moín with Barra del Colorado; this intricate canal system constitutes the only means of transportation within the zone. In fact, both tourists and local residents use the area’s serpentine rivers, canals and lagoons to navigate Tortuguero National Park.

A trip along these canals is an ideal way to observe the area’s abundant flora and wide variety of animal life such as land turtles, manatees, crocodiles, a large selection of crustaceans, and 85 freshwater fish species including the Gasper fish, a historic species that has hardly changed since the age of the dinosaurs.

Additionally, the area is a hotspot for many mammals including tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, peccaries, monkeys, sloths, and fishing bats, which are one of the largest species of bat in Costa Rica. Birds are also common and include green macaws (an endangered species), great curassows, turkey vultures, toucans, and common black hawks.

This protected area stretches over 50 kilometers (31 miles) of coastline and encompasses 92,000 hectares (227,000 acres) of canals, lagoons, rivers, river islands, forests, marshes, and hilly remnants of ancient volcanic cones. There are many trails that zigzag through the region, which is made up of very hot and moist tropical wet forest.

Due to its geographical characteristics, this is also an ideal destination for sport fishing. Please note that to participate in sport fishing, a fishing license – easily obtained at the park’s ranger station – is required.

Within the park, it’s possible to spot aquatic animals such as manatees, caimans, crocodiles, Gasper fish, and numerous schools of tarpon fish; land mammals including tapirs, jaguars, pumas, howler monkeys, white-faced monkeys, jaguarundi, and three-toed sloths; and birds like ospreys, keel-billed toucans, neotropical cormorants, blue herons, tricolor herons, white hawks, great tinamous, great curassows, and red-lored parrots.

Barra del Colorado’s system of river canals, combined with its beach ecosystems and populations of wild marine live, offers a unique landscape. For those that like to hike, Tortuguero Mount (Cerro Tortuguero) offers a scenic trail easily traveled in approximately 45 minutes.

This protected area was declared a biological reserve in 1982, and in 1998 it was upgraded to national park. Within its boundaries, it contains an important watershed comprised of 11.994 hectares (29.6 acres) of tropical wet forest.

The park is located 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city of Siquirres and is difficult to access. For this reason and due to the fact that it does not offer basic facilities, it is recommend only for tourists who are accustomed to taking long and rustic hikes. Given the conditions of the land, hikes are only permitted with a guide from the nearby community of Las Brisas de Pacuarito, where the park’s administrative area is located.

Barbilla National Park’s habitats range from primary tropical wet forest to very moist tropical forest. The park is home to a wide range of animal species including pumas, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, monkeys, and many bird species.

In 1970 the park received the title of National Monument; eight years later, it was declared a national park. It protects 1,067 hectares (2,647 acres) of land, 600 hectares (1,483 acres) of coral reef, and 22,400 hectares (55,352 acres) of ocean. It is located 42 kilometers (26 miles) south of the Port of Limon.

Cahuita National Park is known for its coral reef and tropical wet forest. The community of Puerto Vargas is located beside the park; in both locations there are incredible beaches as well as small bays, coconut palm trees, virgin forest, and other natural attractions.

In addition to being surrounded by natural beauty, the beaches of Cahuita and Puerto Vargas have one of the most important coral reefs on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, as significant as those located at Punta Cocles, Punta Uva, Manzanillo, and Punta Mona.

These locales are ideal for admiring colorful coral, including brain coral, deer and moose horn coral, fire coral, rose coral, and lettuce coral, among 35 other species that have been identified so far. Other underwater sights include mollusks, sea fans, crustaceans, turtles, rainbow-colored fish, and many other beautiful sea animals.

To enjoy these offerings to the fullest, the town of Cahuita, located next to the park, offers lodging and plenty of dining options. Likewise, the town has information services, potable water, restrooms, showers, picnic tables, trails, and a camping area.

Cahuita National Park and the Gandoca-Manzanilo Wildlife Refuge are world renowned not only for their abundant natural attractions but also for their eco-conservation plans, which are two mostly unique cases in the Greater Caribbean region.

This wildlife refuge stretches over 9,449 hectares (23,350 acres) – 4,436 hectares (10,962 acres) protect the ocean and 5,013 hectares (12,387 acres) protect land habitats. The refuge is located in Talamanca, between the borders of the Cocles River, close to Puerto Viejo, and the mouth of the Sixaola River, at the Panamanian border.

The park’s territory includes habitats such as wooded areas, river plains, and hilled areas, home to a wide variety of plant species including cativo, caobilla mahogany, yolillo palms, mangroves, and mountain almonds. Of course, the wildlife refuge is home to many animals, among them monkeys, crocodiles, peccaries, and agouti pacas. Thanks to its abundant vegetation, there is also a large population of resident birds including parrots, hen harriers, toucans, and more.

In the refuge’s coastal areas, beaches are characterized by their beauty and are ideal for long walks, sunbathing, swimming, scuba diving the coral reefs, and observing flora and fauna.

The Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge served as inspiration for an important work of literature, the novel titled La Loca de Gandoca (“The Crazy Woman from Gancoca”), by Ana Cristina Rossi.

The park offers trails, scenic lookout points, potable water, restrooms and other facilities, located all along its corridor, in towns such as Manzanillo, where the refuge’s administrative offices are located. In the Gandoca sector, leatherback turtles are protected; during a boat tour, visitors can travel through the Gandoca Lagoon, surrounded by tropical wet forest and river vegetation, and an important habitat for manatees.

This reserve, created in 1978, measures almost 9,949 hectares (24,585 acres) and is surrounded by three indigenous reserves: Telire, Tayni and Talamaca. The reserve is part of La Amistad Biosphere Reserve, an international park shared between Costa Rica and Panama.

Hitoy Cerere, which in the local indigenous language means “river of moss-covered rocks” and “river of clear waters,” respectively, is located in the basins of the Estrella and Telire Rivers. It is a reserve that covers different altitudes, from 100 to 1,025 meters (328 to 3,363 feet) above sea level. It is home to forests and several habitats, including tropical wet, river, and pre-montane ecosystems.

Among the most prevalent plant species are palms, wild cashew, ojoche, huge nargusta, and many others. Common animal species include many amphibians, like frogs, and reptiles, as well as mammals such as white-faced monkeys, tapirs, peccaries, ocelots, and around 230 species of birds. The park is also home to rivers and streams, perfect for a refreshing dip, and there’s even a beautiful waterfall open to visitors, reached by a natural, riverside trail.

To visit the reserve, travel through the Valle de la Estrella (Valley of the Star); the park’s administrative offices are located five kilometers (three miles) farther down the road, at Finca Cartagena. Here, visitors have access to parking, potable water, restrooms, information, hiking trails, scenic lookout points, and swimming areas.

Located in Las Brisas de Veragua, in the province of Limón, Veragua Rainforest Research & Adventure Park covers an area of 1,300 hectares (3,212 acres). This is an incredible attraction for any tourist that wants to experience true adventure with communion with nature.

In addition to offering a butterfly garden, serpentarium, frog pond, and hummingbird garden, the park invites visitors to hike along hanging bridges that weave through the jungle and shimmy up to waterfalls. But the list of attractions doesn’t end there: there’s also a biological station that operates in association with the National Institute of Biodiversity (INBio), an insect display, a reptile exhibition, an aerial tram, and a canopy tour.

Its strategic location, less than one hour from the Port of Limón, is located in the dampening zone surrounding La Amistad International Park, which is shared by Costa Rica and Panama.

This project, which opened its doors in July 2004, uses less than 1% of its land for ecotourism pursuits. The rest of its terrain is reserved for conservation.

Its dark sands, a product of high manganese content, give the beach its name. Playa Negra, meaning Black Beach, extends from the town of Puerto Viejo until its entrance on the northern part. Generally, its surf ranges from moderate to strong, making it an ideal place to relax, take a dip, or explore on foot, on horseback, or on mountain bike.

This beach is part of Cahuita National Park and is named for the color of its sands. Playa Blanca, meaning White Beach, stretches for three kilometers (1.8 miles), from its point of entry to Cahuita Point.

This is not a very wide beach. Its first section features a steep slope and strong surf, which is why it is not recommended to swim in this area. Its middle section, before reaching the Suárez River mouth, is ideal for swimming.

After crossing the river mouth, located in the external part of the surrounding coral reef, the coastline completely transforms into an immense lagoon. On the point, the sand is even whiter and the coral reef is located closeby; scuba diving is popular here, or beachgoers can continue another two kilometers to Puerto Vargas.

This secluded beach has the enormous appeal that, to get there, one has to take a five kilometer (three mile) hike through Manzanillo and Punta Mona. The weaving coastline is very irregular.

Due to its evergreen, rainforest setting, this section of coastline is known for its exceptional scenic beauty, especially in the areas immediately surrounding Punta Mona. Here, the presence of a small island, totally covered with vegetation, makes this one of the Southern Caribbean’s most valuable coastal scenic areas, complemented by patches of coral reef, ideal for snorkeling and scuba diving.

This beach is located en route to Cahuita. It is vast, with open ocean and grey sands. It features abundant coastal vegetation, where the coconut palms take center stage. This is a popular beach for local residents and Costa Rican tourists, who visit with their families and friends. Both the beach and the Vizcaya River mouth are good places for swimming.

From the town of Manzanillo, this beach, with its golden sands, stretches north for 3,500 meters (2.2 miles), to Punta Uva. It is home to moderate to strong surf, and its coastline is weaving and irregular. The beach features dense coastal vegetation, where many palm trees provide shade and scenic beauty. Several parts of the beach are located near the town of Manzanillo and other small communities. It is an ideal place to walk and horseback ride, as well as sunbathe, take a swim, or snorkel and scuba dive.

The road that connects Puerto Viejo with southern beaches ends in the community of Manzanillo, just 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) down the road. Manzanillo boast many services including snorkeling and scuba rental, dolphin watching tours, snorkeling day trips, and more.

This beach, located in a village of the same name, is very long and lined with lush tropical vegetation. It is an ideal destination for taking long walks on the beach and observing the diverse flora and fauna of Tortuguero National Park, which borders the village.

This beach is famous for being the site where four species of marine turtles lay their eggs: green turtles, the most common species, arrive between April and August; leatherback turtles, from February to July; hawksbill turtles, from April through October; and finally, olive ridley turtles in April and May.

Tourism is the town of Tortuguero’s main source of income; this is complemented by the fishing industry and subsistence agriculture. The region’s diversity produces an interesting mix of indigenous elements that define Tortuguero’s origins and tourist services and facilities that help shape the town’s present and future.

These characteristics make it possible for tourists to enjoy diverse day and nighttime recreational activities: hiking, sunbathing, wildlife watching, boat rides, and canal kayaking, as well as entertainment and interaction with the locals including dining on local dishes, especially typical Caribbean meals, and dancing to the beat of modern and tropical music.

Located five kilometers (three miles) north of the city of Limón, this beach is easily accessible. Here, surfers dive into the heavy surf while beach lovers investigate the lush, tropical vegetation that tumbles onto the fine sand. Coconut palms line the beach, providing shade and adding scenic interest.

The Northern Caribbean coast is long and open; the ocean’s strong surf can create common (and dangerous) riptides, so swimming is not recommended in certain areas. The coast’s main attraction is the zig-zagging web of canals that parallel coastal beaches, where boats embark on daily tours that highlight the area’s incredible natural beauty and wide array of animal species.

Barra del Colorado Beach, bordered to the north by the Colorado River mouth and to the south by an estuary, is idea for hiking, observing flora and fauna, fishing, and simply enjoying ocean views.

Boat trips are the best way to enjoy the area’s canals and lagoons, and to experience Barra del Colorado’s natural beauty and scenic landscape. The town of Colorado is a quiet fishing and agricultural village, split down the center by its small airplane runway.

Located south of Cahuita, the beaches of Puerto Viejo are as beautiful as those of its northern neighbor. However, this is a more heavily wooded area. The indigenous reserves of Shiroles and Bribrí are located very close to Puerto Viejo.

Nevertheless, some of the town’s beaches are not meant for swimming since they are composed, more or less, of coralliferous platforms.

The town of Puerto Viejo has many varied lodging facilities, from bed & breakfasts to large hotels offering more than 50 rooms and refreshing swimming pools. There are also many local tour operators that can help tourists arrange activities and daytrips.

Local cultural offerings center around the region’s Afro-Caribbean origins: the Southern Caribbean’s most dominant culture has its own English dialect, known as patois.

This community’s rich mixture of cultures makes it an ideal destination for discovering the Caribbean’s varied gastronomic offerings, which include local specialties and international dishes. In addition, visitors to Cahuita will find a range of services and activities, among them daytrips out into neighboring towns and areas.

Observation of birds migrating north; Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.

Observation of birds migrating north; Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.

Chinese New Year. Limón.

Tropical America Festival. Tropical Wet School. Guácimo.

1. Labor Day

Civic Festival. Cariari.

24. National Parks Day

31. African Day. Festival of Flowers, Celebrating African Immigrants in Limón.

14. Lanterns Parade

15. Costa Rican Independence Day

After the Independence Day parties, EXPOCOCI. Guápiles.

Observation of birds migrating south; Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.

25. Commemoration of Christopher Columbus’s arrival in Limón. Parade with color guard and bands in the city of Limón.

12. Limón Carnivals

Observation of birds migrating south; Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.

Observation of birds migrating south; Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.

25. Christmas.

Observation of birds migrating south; Puerto Viejo-Talamanca. All month.