Places / North & Central America / Costa Rica
Limón
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At a glance
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Region
- Limón
- Population
- 60,000
- Best time to go
- September to October, February to March
- Main airport
- None with regular flights — nearest is San José Juan Santamaría International (SJO)
- Coordinates
- 9.99°N, 83.03°W
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Overview
Limón, often called Puerto Limón, is Costa Rica's main Caribbean port, where Christopher Columbus landed on his final voyage in 1502. Its Afro-Caribbean heritage, from the Jamaican workers who built the railway, gives it a culture, food and rhythm quite unlike the rest of the country.
The city is a working port rather than a resort, but it is a good starting point for the Caribbean coast. Rainforest parks, turtle beaches and laid-back villages are all nearby.
Things to see
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Photo: Ixmhillary, CC0 Parque Vargas
A seafront park of tall palms and shady trees, a pleasant spot for a stroll near the centre.
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Photo: Roger, CC BY-SA 2.0 Isla Uvita
The small island offshore where Columbus is said to have landed, visible from the waterfront.
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Photo: Elotrojames, CC BY 4.0 Playa Bonita
A palm-fringed beach just north of the city, popular with locals and surfers.
Things to do
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Photo: Haakon S. Krohn, CC BY-SA 3.0 Cahuita National Park
A coastal trail through jungle to white sand beaches and coral reef, with sloths and monkeys along the way.
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Photo: Leyo, CC BY-SA 2.5 ch Tortuguero
Canals, rainforest and beaches where green turtles nest in summer, reached by boat from the coast.
Find tours -
Photo: Petruss, CC BY-SA 4.0 Eat Caribbean food
Try rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, and rondón, a rich seafood soup.
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Limón Carnival
Each October the city celebrates its Caribbean culture with parades, calypso and street parties.
Where to stay
Limón centre
Practical for transport and port business, with simple hotels.
Hotels in Limón centrePlaya Bonita
Hotels near the beach, a quieter alternative a few minutes from the city.
Hotels in Playa BonitaCahuita and Puerto Viejo
Small Caribbean villages to the south, more relaxed and better suited to a longer stay.
Hotels in Cahuita and Puerto Viejo
Getting around
Taxis cover the city, and regular buses run along the coast to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo.
Buses and cars take around three hours from San José across the mountains to Limón.
When to go
The Caribbean coast follows its own weather pattern, and September to October and February to March are often the driest months. Rain can fall at any time of year.
Plan your trip to Limón
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.