Caribbean Activities

The Caribbean’s extraordinary natural and cultural wealth allows for a wide range of activities: sport-fishing, boat tours, diving, surfing, hiking, turtle- and bird-watching, dolphin-viewing, horseback riding, sea and river kayaking and more—in addition to direct contact with local cultures.

HORSEBACK RIDING
Tourists can enjoy this activity in communities such as Tortuguero, Limón, Cahuita, Puerto Viejo and Manzanillo, observing architecture, landscapes and local flora and fauna, visiting indigenous communities, taking photographs and more.

HIKING
Guided or unguided hikes may be enjoyed in communities, natural areas and coastal zones to take in various natural, historical, architectural, social, artistic and cultural attractions.

RECREATIONAL CYCLING
The region boasts many picturesque trail—Cahuita–Puerto Vargas, Puerto Viejo–Manzanillo and others—some for adventure, recreation or relaxation and others for enjoying nature.

ARCHITECTURAL AND HISTORIC SITES
The architecture of the Caribbean comprises buildings of great importance that have been declared of historical or architectural interest. The following stand out in downtown Limón: Black Star Line, the Post and Telegraph Building and the Municipal Palace.

CUISINE
Limón has enjoyed culinary influence from diverse ethnic groups, the most representative of which are the Afro-Costa Rican and the Chinese, who, in addition to preparing foods in different ways, brought a large number of plants and tubers with them into the country. Traditional dishes include: rice and beans, dokonú or “blue dress,” patí and plantintah, pan bon and socosí, among others. Caribbean food, as well as a wide range of international cuisine, may be sampled in sodas (small restaurants serving local food), cafes and restaurants in the coastal towns mentioned.

PHOTOGRAPHY
Photography is highly worthwhile thanks to the many options of cultural, architectural and scenic interest, as well as the flora and fauna, waterfalls, rivers and numerous banana, ornamental plant, cacao and other plantations.

SHOPPING
There are shopping centers in the city of Limón where a few objects or souvenirs may be purchased; however, handicrafts and important works of art may be found for sale in communities with greater tourist activity (Tortuguero, Cahuita, and Puerto Viejo).

PRIMITIVISTIC ART OF LIMÓN
This is considered an important movement in painting and sculpture in the country due to the abundance of painters whose work authentically expresses the symbolic content of the region’s cultures and natural luxuriance. Galleries may be visited and works of art purchased in Guápiles, Limón, Cahuita and Puerto Viejo.

REEF DIVING
The natural beauty of Cahuita and Puerto Vargas’ beaches is complemented by the largest fringing coral reef in the Costa Rican Caribbean. In addition, the reefs off Punta Cocles, Punta Uva, Manzanillo and Punta Mona are not to be forgotten. These sites are ideal for admiring coral (brain, moose- and deer-horn, fire, rose, lettuce and more), mollusks, sea fans, crustaceans, turtles and multicolored fish, among other attractions.

NATURE-TRAIL AND CANOPY ADVENTURES
Several companies have developed facilities for enjoying nature-trail and canopy adventure activities, including: Puerto Viejo Botanical Garden, Samasati Biological Preserve and Yoga Center, and Terraventura Canopy (Río Carbón valley).

INDIGENOUS RESERVATIONS
Visitors to this region have numerous services and facilities at their disposal that complement the attractions on the coast and in wildlife areas. A few examples of other areas to visit are: butterfly gardens, cacao plantations and the Keköldi and Bribri Indigenous Reservations.

TREETOPS TOUR (RAINFOREST AERIAL TRAM)
Adjacent to Braulio Carrillo National Park, 22 kilometers after the Zurquí Tunnel along the highway to Guápiles, the Rainforest Aerial Tram was built so people could enjoy activities in the rainforest canopy, such as observing various monkey and bird species, orchid varieties, bromeliads, climbing plants and insect communities.