With a culture uniquely its own, tropical jungle, and warm Caribbean waves, the province of Limon is a special place to visit in Costa Rica. While there are a few places to avoid in this Caribbean paradise, it is not much different from some places in the US as far as crime is concerned. You do not want to miss out on discovering this vibrant province on Costa Rica’s Caribbean Coast for the sake of a few bad apples.
The Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica is far less developed than the Pacific side, which means there are much fewer tourists and ex-pats. It also has more rainfall and higher humidity than the west coast of the country. However, what it lacks in development and perfect weather, it makes up for in its diverse animal and plant life.
Limon is known for having a large population of Afro-descendants, which is about 16 percent of the population. This heritage affects everything from the food, the music, and the way of life in Limon. This strong influence has made Limon the world capital of Calypso. In fact, it is home to Calypso music legend Walter Ferguson.
The province of Limon has the highest percentage of organized crime in the country, which is centered around the capital city of Puerto Limon. This large port city is the seventh largest in the country and is a hub for drug smuggling. Use your common sense when traveling here, such as keeping a close watch on your belongings and staying away from the port at night. There are museums and open-air markets to visit the city and you should check out the trees in Parque Vargas, where wild sloths are known to hang out!
Limon city aside, there are several safe places to visit in the province of Limon.
Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
If you are a traveler searching for an alternative lifestyle, waves for surfing, and dancing on the beach, the small town of Puerto Viejo is made for you! This is the one of region's main hubs for tourism and draws backpackers and people from all walks of life who enjoy reggae music and hippy vibes.
The beach in this small town is lined with quaint shops selling smoothies where you are invited to bring your own cup to reduce the use of plastic. You will find plenty of pure cacao to eat and Jamaican smoke to enjoy as you lay on the golden beach. There are a few little bars along the beach where the dancing spills out onto the sand most nights.
Nearby Playa Cocles is a popular surfing beach, particularly during the months of December to April and June and July thanks to a large swell called Salsa Brava. Tourists are advised to not walk the path between Puerto Viejo and Cocles at night to avoid getting robbed.
Tortuguero
Found in the far northern part of the province, Tortuguero is a small village located within the Tortuguero National Park. This ecotourism destination is well known for attracting sea turtles that come to lay eggs on its shores. This 47,000-acre preserve is made up of coastland, rainforests, mangrove
forests, and marshlands.
Known as the “region of turtles”, Tortuguero attracts four types of sea turtles and even boasts the largest number of green sea turtles in the Caribbean. Nesting season lasts from February to November.
Tortuguero can only be reached by small plane or boat, as it’s surrounded by marshland. Tours of this region are taken by boat to see the diverse wildlife, walk the hanging bridges, and see the turtles nesting at night.
Manzanillo
A short distance from Puerto Viejo is the laid-back fishing village of Manzanillo. Located within the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife and Marine Refuge, this area is known for protecting endangered flora and fauna. This is also a popular spot to see turtles, dolphins, manatees, and crocodiles. You can hike the trails to see iguanas, monkeys, and sloths.
The roads in this area are mainly dirt, which can be trouble in the rainy season, so 4x4 vehicles are required.
The white sand beach of Manzanillo is a haven for scuba diving and snorkeling enthusiasts. This is due to the coral reef system found just off of the shore. It is also a popular spot for surfers thanks to its fast
beach break.
Punta Uva
If you want a beach where you can bring a picnic and go for a peaceful swim, then Punta Uva is the place to be. This beach doesn’t have the big waves that surfing beaches typically have and it is safe for
children to swim.
This is the kind of palm-lined, white-sand beach you dream about seeing in the Caribbean. Keep your eyes on the trees above because you might just see some monkeys hanging out or even a sloth! This area is known for its butterfly gardens where you can see the beautiful blue morpho. The small beach town of Punta Uva is just a 20-minute drive from Puerto Viejo.
Jaguar Rescue Center
Located about half an hour’s drive from Puerto Viejo, the Jaguar Rescue Center is an excellent organization to support and see native wildlife up close. They have been rescuing hundreds of animals every year since 2008 and even have an area for rescued baby sloths. They also work with other rescued animals including wildcats, monkeys, parrots, toucans, and reptiles.
While it may be tempting to look for beach condos for sale in Costa Rica along the Caribbean Coast, this area has not been as developed as the Pacific Coast over the years and it is not as common to buy
property here. Typically, ex-pats seek out Costa Rica beach condos for sale along the Pacific Coast, particularly in more developed beach towns like Potrero, Flamingo, and Tamarindo in the province of Guanacaste. Here you will find drier weather than in Limon, which makes the transition to Costa Rica easier for most ex-pats. Guanacaste is the driest region in the country. If you are looking for that perfect Costa Rica beach condo for sale, look to a qualified and experienced realtor at Costa Rica Vacation Realty who can help make your dreams come true!
Blog by: Jennifer LaCharite — Costa Consultants, International
