4 to 5 hours ashore
Limón and Playa Bonita
- Walk to Parque Vargas from the terminal.
- Taxi about 10 minutes to Playa Bonita.
Rather book it? A short city and beach tour.
Puerto Limón shore excursions
Costa Rica's Caribbean coast: rainforest, jungle canals, sloths, and beaches, with most excursions leaving straight from the terminal.
Getting ashoreShips dock at the cruise terminal in the center of Limón, Costa Rica's main Caribbean port, a short walk from the town's waterfront park.
Puerto Limón port day essentials
read this before you book
Which pier you're at
Limón cruise terminalAn open-air terminal with a crafts market and tour desks. Parque Vargas and downtown are about 300 yards away.
Taxis
Licensed red taxis wait outside the terminal gate. They usually run without meters, so agree on the total, in US dollars, before you get in.
Recent fares: Playa Bonita about $10 to $15 round trip; a half day to Cahuita about $80 to $110 with the driver waiting.
Money
Costa Rican colones. US dollars are widely accepted. Bring cash for taxis and park entry.
Language
Spanish. English is common at the terminal; with taxi drivers it varies, so have your destination written down.
Back on board
All-aboard is usually 30 minutes before sailing; your ship's daily planner has the exact time.
Be aware
- Stay around Parque Vargas and the main streets if you explore on foot, and keep valuables out of sight.
- Uber isn't reliable here and local buses don't run to a timetable, so arrange your ride back before you leave.
Last checked November 2026. Prices change; confirm before you pay.
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Plan your day in Puerto Limón
pick by your time ashore
6 to 8 hours ashore
Rainforest canals
- Boat through the canals north of Limón.
- Look for sloths, monkeys and birds.
Rather book it? A canal boat tour.
9 hours or more
Cahuita National Park
- Drive about an hour south to Cahuita.
- Walk the beach trail through the park.
Rather book it? A Cahuita tour with a guide.
Times are approximate. Whatever you choose, plan to be back at the pier an hour before all-aboard. Compare tours for each idea below.
Compare Puerto Limón tours
Start times and meeting points vary by tour. Check them against your ship's schedule before you book.
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Puerto Limón tours from GetYourGuide
GetYourGuide's own search results for Puerto Limon, in GetYourGuide's order. Check each tour's start time and meeting point against your ship's schedule.
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Puerto Limón tours from Shore Excursions Group
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Scout's notes on Puerto Limón
Short port days
Boat trips through the jungle canals north of Limón are among the best places to spot sloths, monkeys, and birds, and many run as half-day tours. Banana and cacao plantation visits are close by too.
Long port days
Rainforest parks with aerial trams, hanging bridges, and ziplines are about an hour inland. Cahuita National Park, with its beach trail and reef, is about an hour south. Sloth rescue centers along the southern coast are a favorite stop.
Getting back on time
Roads out of Limón are narrow and can be slowed by trucks and rain, so allow extra time for anything an hour or more away. A tour with a return-to-ship guarantee is worth it for longer trips.
From fellow cruisers
Tips from people who've been, read by us before they go up.
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