Limon Province, Costa Rica

Limón Province is located in the Caribbean region of Costa Rica and extends the length of this coast, from the mouth of the San Juan River in the north to the mouth of the Sixaola River on the Panamanian border. Limón covers an area of approx 9,188 square kilometers and has a population of about 170,000.  It is the only province to be situated entirely on the Caribbean side of the Continental Divide, hence its weather is directly affected by the flow of warm, moist air from the Atlantic. The result is a climate with no pronounced dry season, even though it does tend to be less rainy during the months of March, April, September and October, and typically rains the most in June, July, August, November and December.

The Limón Province consists of thick tropical jungles, coconut trees, ornamental plants, beaches, small towns, and an assortment of villages, and banana plantations.  Limon is a top spot for scientific and ecological tourism and studies. The capital city Limón has over 60,000 inhabitants, and is located on the Carribean Coast.

Places to Visit

National Parks in the province of Limón

• Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge: It is situated in the Limon Province, bordering the Barra Del Colorado River, along the Caribbean coast. Barra Del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge offers a safe and peaceful place at some of the rare and endangered species of flora and fauna. The extent of fauna includes but is not limited to West Indian Manatee, Caymans, Crocodiles, Gars and various genres of tarpon.
• Tortuguero National Park: Tortuguero National Park is located on the northeast Atlantic coast of Costa Rica, about 80 kilometers north of the Caribbean city of Limon. The park has the biggest population of Green Sea Turtles on the Caribbean, and is the primary nesting area for these amazing, and awe inspiring creatures.
• Braulio Carrillo National Park: It is located on the western outskirts of the province of Limón and extends into the Cartago Province and far into the Heredia Province. This National Park was created to protect natural and cultural resources; it has over 500 species of resident and migratory animals.
• Cahuita National Park: Cahuita beach and Cahuita National Park are located on the Caribbean shoreline in the southern region of the Limon Province. The reefs offer nice views of fish and crustaceans. The National park is located just inland from the beach.
• Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge: Located in the southeastern Talmanca region, Gandoca-Manzanillo Refuge is comprised of a collection of rainforest and wetland habitat complete with a coral reef. A wide variety of fauna make this park their home, such as manatees, dolphins, Venus sea fans, and eagles. Snorkeling and scuba diving offer an amazing glimpse of the tropical fish that move quickly in and out of the living coral.
• La Amistad International Park: La Amistad International Park is located in the Talamanca range. It is surrounded by other protected areas and indigenous territories.  The park is considered to be the one of the most biologically diverse places in the region, and has 194.129 hectares of nature.
• Hitoy-Cerere Biological Reserve: Hitoy Cerere Biological Reserve is 67.5 km away from the province of Limon. It belongs to the La Amistad Caribe Conservation Area, owned by the National Ministry of Energy and Environment, and was declared a ‘World Heritage Site’ by UNESCO in 1993. Hitoy Cerere protects more than 40 species, including endangered species such as ocelots, silk anteaters, tapirs and peccaries.

• Chirripó National Park: Chrripó refers to both the name of the highest mountain in Costa Rica and the name of one of the National Parks in the country. It is located in the middle portion of the Talamanca Range, approximately 30 km northeast from the city of San Isidro del General, and protects a number of important ecosystems on the Costa Rican Pacific slope.

Other natural attractions in Limón

• Rain Forest Aerial Tram: It is located on the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of Costa Rica as well as in the Islands of Dominica and Santa Lucia. These Rain Forest Aerial Trams make possible some of the worlds most spectacular eco tours inclusive, some of the most exhilarating  tropical rain forests canopies in Central America and the Caribbean.
• Jungle Canals: The Tortuguero Canals permit inland navigation between the city of Limón and the northeastern coastal villages. Due to the high number of tourists interested in visiting Tortuguero National Park each year, this route has become increasingly more traversed, yet it still retains much of its scenic quality.
• KéköLdi Indigenous & Talamanca Bribri Reserves: The Talamanca Mountains provide the last refuge for these native people, and it is here that the greatest number of reservations have been established (65-75% of the Indigenous people in Costa Rica live in Talamanca). Most of these reserves are not accessible, however, with prior permission from the Talamanca Association for Ecotourism and Conservation in Puerto Viejo de Talamanca, a guided tour into the KéköLdi and Bribri Reserves can be arranged.
• Moin: The port of Moin is about 12 miles north of Puerto Limón. It is approx 80 miles and/or 128 kilometers from the Nicaraguan border.
• Isla Uvita: It is a famous island that can been seen from Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast, it takes about 20 minutes to reach the island by boat. Isla Uvita is where Cristóbal Colón, now known as Christopher Columbus anchored during his fourth discovery voyage.