Welcome to the Puerto Limon cruise port guide. Costa Rica offers several cruise ports. Most of them (Puntarenas and Puerto Caldera) are located on the Pacific / southern side of the country. Puerto Limon would be the exception because it is located on the Caribbean / northern side of Costa Rica. Puerto Limon, also simply known as Limon, is a large city in the province of Limon. Its population is just over 55.000 inhabitants. The town offers a few places of interest not far from the cruise dock. Although Puerto Limon is not a renowned cruise destination, it is a place where can get a glimpse of daily life in Costa Rica. Puerto Limon is not the main reason cruise ships visit this port. It is simply the gateway to Costa Rica from the Caribbean side. From here you get to explore its wonderful capital city San Jose, visit the beautiful coffee plantations and enjoy its immens and diverse ecological wonders in the rain forest. Create the opportunity to get an encounter with the landscape and nature, because at this point Costa Rica is het “greenest” country in the world. If you are looking for just an easy day in town you can, but otherwise we recommend you to book a shore excursion or to take a taxi tour. Read all about the location of the Puerto Limon cruise port and your options for shore excursions and taxi prices underneath in the Puerto Limon cruise port guide.
This is the Puerto Limon cruise dock. From here it is an easy walk into the town center.
These are the taxi prices as they are advertised by the Puerto Limon cruise port and taxi union.
The official taxis in Puerto Limon are red colored. The tour vans are often white colored.
The cruise terminal offers free wi-fi in the airconditioned area of the building.
You will find more local tours are offered at the exit of the port.
Right before you leave the port you will see this sign which suggests two walking routes through town that will come across all of the highlights.
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Puerto Limon cruise port: docked
Cruise ships visiting Puerto Limon in Costa are able to dock in this port of call. Limon’s port offers a separate pier for cruise ships and is fully equipped with a cruise terminal, taxi stand and souvenir market. The rest of the port is all dedicated to the export of Costa Rican products which is mainly coffee from the central valley. The Puerto Limon’s cruise dock is located about 250 yards/meters from the city center, so it is an easy walk from the cruise pier to the downtown area. Limon’s cruise pier offers good facilities and a great welcome center. Walk off the cruise pier and you will be met by the shore excursion busses of your ship. They are found directly at the end of the pier.
Taxi tours for cruise passengers at Puerto Limon
Behind your ship’s shore excursion busses you will see the taxis and a desk where you will find representatives of the Taxi Union. Taxi prices are on display at the taxi counter. Obviously these prices give you a good idea for what you should pay for a taxi tour. Know that you will still need to negotiate a price before you step into any vehicle. Prices (per person in US dollars) as they are displayed at the cruise port are:
Playa Bonita – $ 10
All about Limon – $ 35
Tortuguero Canal – Banana Plantation and city tour – $ 55
Coastal Highlights and Puerto Limon city tour – $ 35
Cahuita National Park Beach – $ 40
Historical Jungle Train – $ 35
Sloths Sanctuary – $ 30
Canopy – $35
Aerial Tram Rain Forest – $ 40
Veragua Rain Forest – $ 40
San Jose City Tour – $ 55
Horse Back Riding – $ 30
Pineapple plantation – $ 35
Volcan Irazu – $ 80
Rafting – $ 45
Coffee Plantation – $ 35
Prices above about are stated in US Dollars. All prices apply per person, not per taxi. Please know the tours only provide transportation and no admission fees or other services are included in the price. Make sure to ask your taxi drivers about additional fees for visiting the places on your tour and check with him if you can pay in US dollars. Remember, prices are subject to change. Directly next to the desk you will find the taxis waiting there for you. Official taxis in Puerto Limon are red, with a yellow triangle and taxi sign on top. Aside from the regular taxis there are also many taxi vans waiting for you here. These vans are white.
Puerto Limon Cruise terminal
When you stepped off the gangway, passed the shore excursion busses and taxi stand you will be going into the cruise terminal of Puerto Limon. This is where you will find a wonderful craft and souvenir market. There are all kinds of handcrafts and local specialties offered here like oxcarts, baskets, ceramics and lots of clothing. It is expected you will negotiate and please know prices often drop during the day. So coming back to the ship will save you cash and a lot of hustle with carrying the souvenirs around all over town. Most vendors take US dollars. Make sure to bring small bill and your beste negotiation skills. When you exit the market you will step into the AC part of the cruise terminal where you will find free wi-fi and some information stands that are often not open for business unfortunately. The port often doesn’t hand out any tourist maps or other sort of information although you will find there are lost of locals around which are more than happy to help you find your way.
Port Exit
At the port exit you will be met by more taxi drivers willing to sell you their tours. Once you have passed these drivers you will be in the downtown area of Puerto Limon. Right before you step out of the port gates you will see a map displayed with 2 recommended city walks. Take a photo and navigate yourself around town and see the 18 attractions Puerto Limon has to offer. Perhaps the best highlight in town would be the Vargas Park. This park is located directly to the right hand side as you exit the port. It is a nice public park with playgrounds, historical statues and there is even some wildlife to be found here like a sloth and owls. Other places of interest that Puerto Limon has to offer within walking distance are: Monument to Balvanero Vargas Molina Quiribri island Port Authority The Puerto Limon Cathedral Municipal Palace The Baptist missionary House Monument to Pablo Presbere Pension Costa Rica Black Star Line Post office and Telegraph building City Market Juan Goban Soccer Stadium The Culture House Tomas Guardia Gutierrez Schol Hotel Cariari Breakwater Big Boy Baseball stadium
Beaches closest to Puerto Limon cruise port
There are no beaches within walking distance of the Puerto Limon cruise port. The closest beach available would be Playa Bonita which is about a 15 to 20 minute drive from the port. If you want you can take a taxi to Playa Bonita for 10 US dollar per person.
US dollars are accepted
The official currency of Costa Rica is the Costa Rican colon (CRC), but US dollars are widely accepted in this port of call.