Online Reservations

Tortuguero:

This park has the largest protected tract of tropical rainforest in the entire Central American Caribbean area. A unique attraction here is the network of canals connecting the Port of Moín with Barra del Colorado, providing the sole means of transportation. Tourists and locals alike use these meandering rivers, canals and lagoons for traveling through Tortuguero Park, winding their way through dense, lush greenery and keeping an eye out for animals such as land turtles, manatee or sea cows, crocodiles, myriad crustaceans and some 85 species of fresh water fish, including gaspar fish. The area also abounds in mammals such as tapirs, jaguars, ocelots, peccaries, monkeys, sloths and the fishing bat, one of the largest in Costa Rica. There are also numerous birds, such as green macaws (an endangered species), great curassows, turkey vultures, toucans and common black-hawks.

Barra del colorado national wildlife refuge:

Stretching along 50 km of coastline, this protected area boasts 92,000 hectares of canals, lagoons, rivers, river islands, forests, swamps, yolillal marshes and hills (ancient volcanic cones). A variety of hiking trails crisscross the refuge, which also offers great sport fishing - though visitors are forewarned they’ll need to get a fishing license at the park ranger station. As a very hot tropical rainforest, the refuge provides a home to a wide range of animal species, such as manatee (sea cows), caimans, crocodiles, gaspar fish and numerous schools of tarpon; mammals such as tapirs, jaguars, pumas, howler and white-faced capuchin monkeys, ocelots, jaguarundis, and three-toed sloths; and birds such as ospreys, keel-billed toucans, olivaceous cormorants, blue herons, tricolored herons, white hawks, great tinamous, great curassows, and red-lored parrots. The scenery is unique, with a network of canals mixed with beach ecosystems and marine wildlife, and for those who enjoy a good hike, there’s a 45-minute trail up to Cerro Tortuguero.

Barbilla National Park:

First declared a biological reserve in 1982, this protected area gained national park status in 1998. Its 11,994 hectares contain an extensive tropical rainforest and contribute significantly to the area's water resources. Though only 20 kilometers (12 miles) from the city of Siquirres, access is difficult; because of this and the fact that it lacks necessary facilities, only those accustomed to hiking should consider visiting this park - and even then, they should avail themselves of a local guide from the community of Las Brisas de Pacuarito, where the park office is located. The area contains wet and very wet tropical primary forests where animals such as pumas, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs and monkeys and numerous bird species can be found.

Port of Limon:

The port city of Limón can be reached from San José by either of two routes: along the Braulio Carrillo highway, the shortest route, or by taking the old road through Turrialba.  The distance by way of the Braulio Carrillo highway is 160 kilometers (almost 100 miles). History says that Christopher Colombus landed on his fourth and last voyage in what is now the port of Limón. Just off the mainland, facing the city, lies Uvita Island, home to one of the country’s most beautiful coral reefs and the nesting site of graceful marine birds. In 1985 the island was declared a national monument by virtue of being the first place in Costa Rica on which Christopher Columbus set foot in 1502.

When the Spaniards first arrived, the only inhabitants were Bribrís and Cabécars, who today occupy the southern part of Limón province. Later, over the course of years, the features of the inhabitants were enriched through intermingling with several waves of African-Americans from the Antilles arriving to work on cacao farms, the Atlantic railway, and the banana plantations.

 The new arrivals also brought along their Afro-Caribbean customs, language, food and music.  The arrival of yet another ethnic group, the Chinese, added even more richness to the area's culture. With the inauguration of the railway in 1870, Limón became an export

port, mainly for bananas. Today it is the country’s leading Caribbean port, welcoming tourist-bearing cruise ships in addition to dispatching and receiving merchandise. Located strategically at the heart of the province, this is the ideal jump-off point for both the North and South Caribbean.

Historic and architectural sites:

Downtown Limón has several valuable examples of Caribbean architecture labeled as historical or architectural heritage sites, such as, for example, the Black Star Line, the Telegraph and Post Office building, and the Municipal Palace.

Other attractions:

Mouth of the parismina river:

The lower section of the Reventazón River, one of the country's largest rivers, flows into the Parismina River, which has gained a reputation for its excellent fishing, particularly as it approaches the sea. Various fishing lodges offer everything needed for sport fishing in this area, which borders to the north on the Tortuguero National Park. Trips into the park, then, often leave from the Caño Blanco dock.

Pacuare river:

The quintessential tropical river, the Pacuare has a global reputation among enthusiasts of rafting, the sport of running river rapids on rafts or kayaks. Offering class III and IV rapids, it is considered by many as one of the most beautiful rivers in the world for rafting. The rafting run passes by lushly vegetated waterfalls and tributaries all but hidden amidst the foliage, adding special magic to the trip.

Colorado river:

This is a navigable river whose water course, abundant in breathtakingly beautiful nature spots, is protected by the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge. The river has gained international fame for the magnificent fishing offered by its tarpon, snook and mackerel-rich waters.

Port of moín:

From this port, boats leave to ply the network of canals, carrying merchandise and passengers to Barra de Matina, Barra de Parismina and Barra del Colorado, linking in this manner the various river towns spread out along the 112 kilometers of waterway. The trip takes tourists along a route of enormous scenic beauty full of contrasting landscapes, especially as the boat crosses the Jalova Lagoon, entering the Tortuguero National Park at its southern border.

Tortuguero Beach:

Located in the town of Tortuguero, this beach is also quite long, with strong surf and tropical greenery - a great place for walking and checking out the variety of flora and fauna to be had at Tortuguero National Park, right next to the town. Four different species of sea turtles nest along this coast: the green turtle, the most abundant, from April to August; the leatherback, from February to July; the hawksbill, from April to October; and the loggerhead, from April to May. The town's main source of livelihood is tourism, supplemented by fishing and subsistence farming. An interesting mix is produced of its indigenous past with the various tourism services and facilities making up its present and presaging its future; thus visitors can choose from an array of enjoyable daytime and evening activities, including hiking and sunbathing on the beach, taking in the biodiversity, boating or kayaking through the canals, socializing and hanging out with the locals, sampling traditional Caribbean dishes and dancing to tropical or contemporary beats.

Bonita beach:

Only 5 kilometers north of the city of Limón, Bonita Beach is easily accessible, and its heavy wave action makes it a hit with surfers. The beach is surrounded by luxuriant tropical greenery, with coconut palms adding the final brush stroke to its scenic beauty.

Barra del colorado beach:

The North Caribbean is wide open coastline, with strong waves and dangerous ocean currents a concern for swimmers. Its main attractions, however, are the inland canals running parallel to the beach, the unmarred natural beauty and the wealth of animal

species to be seen. Bordered to the north by the mouth of the Colorado River and to the south by an estuary, Barra del Colorado Beach is ideal for hiking, seeing flora and fauna, fishing, and just hanging out watching the ocean. Visitors can also take boat tours to enjoy the natural scenic beauty of the canals and lagoons. The town of Colorado, a peaceful community of farmers and fishermen, is divided down the middle by its airstrip.

Calero and brava islands:

These islands are continental or river islands, since, unlike other - oceanic - islands they are mainly surrounded by fresh water from the rivers that irrigate their floodplains. Calero is Costa Rica's largest island of this type, covering 156.1 square kilometers, and Brava is the second largest, with an area of 44.4 square kilometers. Both are part of the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge.

Quiribrí (uvita) island:

In 1985 Uvita Island was declared a national monument by virtue of being the first place visited by Christopher Columbus when he arrived on his fourth voyage in 1502 to this Caribbean coast. Precisely because of the wealth displayed by the Indians he met, and perhaps swayed by the tropical exuberance of the countryside, Columbus called the land "Costa Rica" ("Rich Coast"). Known at that time as Quiribrí, it is still a very attractive island, with lush tropical vegetation and its trademark rocky shores and coral reefs. A pleasant beach lies near the wharf, and the diving and surfing are excellent. There is even a looping trail for visitors to enjoy.
On September 25 Christopher Columbus's arrival is commemorated in Limón with a flamboyant flag parade and school bands from Limón's central canton.

Rain forest arial tram:

Bordering on the Braulio Carrillo National Park, the tram is located after the Zurquí Tunnel, at the 22-kilometer mark on the highway to Guápiles. The tram was built to give visitors a view of forest canopy life, including various species of monkeys and birds, a variety of orchids, bromeliads, cypress nuts, climbing vines and insect communities.