Northern Caribbean Attractions

The Northern Caribbean region stretches from the San Juan River on the Nicaraguan border to the city of Limon. Nature-based tourism is the most important activity in this region. The main attractions include the green turtles that nest on the beaches in Tortuguero National Park during specific months, and the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Reserve, which is a perfect place for sports fishermen to catch seabass, tarpon, gar and other species.

The natural coastal waterways are complemented by a system of canals that join the Port of Moin with Barra del Colorado, which forms the waterway most frequently used by visitors and residents; the only other option is to travel by airplane due to a lack of roads in this region.

AROUND LIMON

THE CITY OF LIMON
The city of Limon is the dividing point between the Northern and Southern Caribbean regions and is a strategic point for trade and for the development of the entire province of Limon. There are two ways to travel by land to the city of Limon from the Central Valley: the long way or the short way. You will pass spectacular scenery not found in any other part of the country, as you follow either of those routes. The short route to Limon from San Jose is via the Braulio Carrillo highway; the other route is the old highway that goes through Cartago, Turrialba and Siquirres. According to historical accounts, Christopher Columbus landed in what is now called Port Limon in 1502. This is the principal commercial port in the country, but recently it has become a major stopover for large cruise ships, which provides an important addition to its import-export activities. The ¬old downtown area is a veritable historical center; an urban renewal process is currently underway to restore some of its older buildings and the pedestrian walkway that goes from Vargas Park to the Central Market.

THE BLACK STAR LINE
The Black Star Line Cultural Center was built in 1911 and continues to be one of the most important historical sites in the local culture. Located between Calle 3 and Avenida 5 in Limon, it includes a large hall on the second floor called “Liberty Hall” and a restaurant on the first floor that specializes in Caribbean cuisine. In 1988 it was declared to be a National Architectural Heritage. The Cultural Center was named for the Black Star Line shipping company founded by the famous Marcus Garvey (1887-1940) who fought for the civil rights of the African-Caribbean ethnic group. Garvey, born in Jamaica, is best remembered as an important proponent of the “Back-To-Africa” movement, which encouraged people of African ancestry t return to their ancestral homeland. Garvey was in Limon on two occasions and founded an association that was headquartered in this building. As you can imagine, innumerable activities have been held here that have been important for the cultural life of this ethnic group, such as the coronation of the first queen of the city’s annual festival in 1949, which has become the famous Limon Carnival.

LIMON BOULEVARD
This beautiful pedestrian walkway begins at Calle 4 and extends east for four blocks along Avenida 2, ending in front of the seawall. Some of the impressive constructions along this boulevard are: the Central Market built in 1941; the Costa Rican National Bank, facing the Central Market, is one of the most beautiful buildings in the city of Limon; a block and a half to the east is another building of ancestral importance, the Costa Rica Pension. Vargas Park is located along the last block of the boulevard; the municipal building is on the north side of the park, and on the south side is the old building that belonged to the famous United Fruit Company, which for now serves as offices and stores. The boulevard ends at the seawall where there is a small amphitheatre from which you can observe Uvita Island. As at all seawalls, many residents and tourists go there to watch the sea and its breaking waves. The boulevard continues along the coast for several hundred meters and ends at the Tony Facio Hospital.

BALVANERO VARGAS PARK
This city park is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the country because of its exuberant vegetation, which includes imported species, such as palm trees, and many native species whose tropical beauty provides spectacular landscape. Its excellent location, in front of the sea, and its proximity to the main dock means that many residents and tourists visit there daily. Facing the northeast side of the park are shops which sell handicrafts. A monument of Christopher Columbus stands in the park.

PORT MOIN
Boats leaving this port travel through the canals to transport merchandise and passengers to the riverbanks of Matina, Parismina and Barra del Colorado. The canals connect the populations located along this 112 km waterway.

PLAYA BONITA
The beach is located 5 km north of the city of Limon and is easy to get to. Its thick, powerful waves make it ideal for surfers. It is surrounded by lush, tropical vegetation, and palm tree groves provide a spectacularly beautiful landscape. This environment and its closeness to the city make it a favorite beach for local residents.

CARIARI RECREATIONAL PARK
This park separates Portete Bay from Playa Bonita, and is the most popular swimming area for the local residents. Portete is a wharf for local fishing boats. A trail goes all around the park, which makes it possible to observe birds, iguanas, raccoons, reptiles, sloths and other animals within its 20 hectares.

UVITA ISLAND
This islet was declared a National Monument in 1985, in virtue of having been the first place where Christopher Colon landed in 1502 on his fourth visit to the Caribbean coast. Precisely because of the wealth demonstrated by the indigenous people with whom he made contact, Colon called this land “Costa Rica.” The island was then known as Quiribi. It is very attractive, both because of its lush tropical vegetation and because of its rugged contours and coral reef. There is a nice beach near the wharf and a trail around the perimeter of the island.

AROUND TORTUGUERO

RIO COLORADO
This is a navigable river with an extremely beautiful basin protected by the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Reserve. This river is internationally famous for the magnificent sportfishing due to the abundance of tarpon, seabass, mackerel and other species of fish.

BARRA DEL COLORADO BEACH
The northern Caribbean coast is long and open, which creates the right condition for strong waves and ocean currents that are dangerous for swimming. However, the main attractions are the canals and lagoons that run parallel to the beach, surrounded by scenery that reminds one of the Amazon, and an abundance of animals that can be seen while passing through. The Barra del Colorado beach is bordered on the north by the mouth of the Colorado River and on the south by an estuary; it is wonderful for hiking, observing animal and plant life, fishing or just gazing at the sea. The town of Colorado is a peaceful community of fishermen and farmers, which interestingly is divided in two by the landing strip.

TORTUGUERO CANALS – COLORADO
Because of its geological origin, the area where the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Reserve and the Tortuguero National Park are located forms an extensive flood plain composed of channels, canals and lagoons that are laced with unprecedented scenic beauty. This area has one of the highest rainfall in the country (5,000-6,000 millimeters a year) which contributes to its wealth of biodiversity. The extensive network of calm waterways enables visitors to enjoy a wondrous world with exuberant nature aboard small boats, canoes or kayaks.

TORTUGUERO BEACH
This beach is long with strong currents and rich in tropical vegetation. It is a good place to hike and to observe the diversity of the flora and fauna found in Tortuguero National Park, which borders the town of the same name and is adjacent to the beach. Four species of marine turtles lay their eggs on this coast: the most abundant are the green turtles, which nest between April and August; the leatherback turtle, between February and July; the carey turtle, between April and October; and lastly, the caguama turtle, between April and May.

TORTUGUERO VILLAGE
Tourism is the main source of income in the village of Tortuguero. This is complemented by fishing and subsistence agriculture by local residents. There exists an interesting mix between the pure ‘locals’ and those who have come to work in the tourism industry. In this unique social environment, tourists, locals and workers find opportunities to socialize and mingle and enjoy night time entertainment together.

TORTUGUERO HILL
This predominant hill is located at the end of a large freshwater peninsula that extends from north to south, ending at the point in front of the village of Tortuguero. The peninsula is surrounded by Tortuguero Lagoon on the east and by the Penitencia Lagoon on the west. Tortuguero hill is 119 meters high, the highest elevation on this pat of the coast; from its peak visitors have an unequalled panoramic view of the canals, the village, the coast and everything else around. Its 25 hectares of land is completely covered by vegetation. To visit the hill you must take a tour from Tortuguero; climbing to the top of the hill takes about 30 minutes. It is a good idea to take along insect repellent in addition to drinking water.

PARISMINA RIVER MOUTH
The Parismina River, particularly the areas close to its mouth, has a great reputation for the incredible fishing activity. Several fishing lodges are located there that offer everything anglers need for game fishing.

THE PACUARE RIVER
This river is lined with lush tropical exuberance and is renowned worldwide for white-water rafting; many would consider this to be one of the most beautiful rivers in the world for this activity; it is a Class III and IV river. During the trip rafter enjoy seeing waterfalls and the tributaries of the Pacuare River and the lush jungle that adds to the extraordinary excitement of traveling down this narrow gorge.