Puerto Limón
Puerto Limón is the main port city on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. Most travelers pass through it on the way to the southern Caribbean towns or Tortuguero, and some spend a day here between cruise stops.
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Puerto Limón is the main port city on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast and the capital of Limón Province. It has a working cargo port, a cruise dock, regional bus terminals and a commercial center. The city sits on the opposite side of the country from the Pacific beaches many visitors reach first. Much of its culture comes from the Afro-Caribbean community, whose families trace their roots to workers brought to build the railway in the late 1800s. Some residents still speak Limón Creole, an English-based creole.
For most independent travelers, Limón works best as a transfer point or a single day. Buses leave from the city for Puerto Viejo and other towns on the southern Caribbean coast, and tours to Tortuguero National Park are often arranged from the area. Spend a day here for the port and local food, or continue straight through if your schedule is tight. The coast gets rain in most months, so check the forecast before booking outdoor activities.
Puerto Limón in five
- Use Limón as a gateway, not a beach baseICT describes Limón as the center of the Caribbean tourist sector, with a port and many destinations reachable from it. Puerto Viejo lies south and Tortuguero north, so sleep where you plan to spend your days.
- Take the south-coast coaches from the Limón terminalMEPE's timetable lists Limón to Sixaola coaches most hours Monday to Saturday, nearly all entering Puerto Viejo. Its fare page gives ¢2,230 for an adult from Limón to Puerto Viejo.Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
- Know your cruise day before you step offICT says the port receives cruise ships almost year round. Confirm the all-aboard time first, then choose between the old town, Isla Uvita and a tour north or south along the coast.
- Keep valuables out of sightCanada's travel advice flags Puerto Limón for theft, and says thefts commonly occur on buses and in bus stations. Carry only what the day needs.
- Ask which dock a northern tour usesICT notes a river system joins the port of Moín with Barra del Colorado, and that it is the only means of transport there. Confirm the departure point before you arrange a taxi.Tortuguero Village
Need to know
- Airport
- Limón (LIO), listed by SANSA; San José (SJO) is the main gate
- Getting there
- By road from San José; SANSA also flies to Limón
- Getting around
- Walkable center; taxis to docks and terminals
- Best base
- Overnight only before an early boat or after a late cruise
- Time needed
- A few hours to one day
Weather by month
- Rainy days
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryRain23 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Rainy, coolerJanuaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 245 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, cooler
- FebruaryRain21 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Drier spellFebruaryRain
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 184 mm
- Rainy days
- 21
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- MarchRain23 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Drier spellMarchRain
Best
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 147 mm
- Rainy days
- 23
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Warm, showersAprilRain
Good
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 213 mm
- Rainy days
- 24
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, showers
- MayRain28 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°RainyMayRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 338 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°RainyJuneRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 403 mm
- Rainy days
- 29
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- JulyRain30 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Rainy, peakJulyRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 561 mm
- Rainy days
- 30
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy, peak
- AugustRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°RainyAugustRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 379 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- SeptemberRain26 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Drier spellSeptemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 248 mm
- Rainy days
- 26
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- OctoberRain28 rainy daysHigh28°Low24°Drier spellOctoberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 24°
- Precipitation
- 374 mm
- Rainy days
- 28
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Drier spell
- NovemberRain27 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Rainy returnsNovemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 514 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy returns
- DecemberRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Rainiest monthDecemberRain
Mixed
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 377 mm
- Rainy days
- 27
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainiest month
Average daily high and low in Limón, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Puerto Limón
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
28
- Feels like
- 32°
- Humidity
- 74%
- Wind
- 21 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 95%
Puerto Limón
04:06 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today28°23°95%Monday: Rain. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 95%.
- Tue29°23°100%Tuesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed29°23°93%Wednesday: Rain. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 93%.
- Thu29°24°97%Thursday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 24°. Chance of rain 97%.
- Fri28°23°88%Friday: Rain. High 28°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
- Sat30°23°90%Saturday: Rain. High 30°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
- Sun31°23°90%Sunday: Drizzle. High 31°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 90%.
Updated 11:56 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Day trips by train
- Puerto Viejo de Talamancaby coach from the Limón terminalBeaches, surf and cocoa farms south along the coast.Read the guide
- Tortugueroboat or plane onlyCanal wildlife and turtle nesting; plan it as an overnight, not a day.Read the guide
- Isla Uvitashort trip from the harborICT lists the small island off the harbor for snorkeling and walks.
Before you go to Puerto Limón
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Rules for Puerto Limón, checked
Plan around Puerto Limón
The Caribbean beach and surf town south of Limón
Read the guideTortuguero VillageCanal lodges, turtle nesting and boat-only access
Read the guideSan JoséThe arrival city, museums and a night before the road
Read the guideTravel insuranceCover for cancellations, theft and medical care
Read the guideCaribbean CoastHow Limón, Cahuita and Tortuguero fit together.
Read the guideAll of Costa RicaThe Caribbean port in the context of the whole country
Read the guidePuerto Limón FAQ
Is Puerto Limón worth visiting?
As a stop, yes: it has Costa Rica's main Caribbean port and a historic center with Afro-Caribbean character, per ICT. As a base for a week, no. Most visitors use it to reach Puerto Viejo, Cahuita or Tortuguero.
Is Limón safe for tourists?
Treat it as a gateway: arrive in daylight, use official taxis between the terminal and the docks, and keep valuables out of sight. UK advice reports gang-related violence in some urban areas; the Caribbean Coast guide has the wider theft warnings.
How do you get from Limón to Puerto Viejo?
By coach from the Limón terminal: MEPE lists Limón to Sixaola departures most hours from 4:30am Monday to Saturday, most entering Puerto Viejo. Check the operator's page for the day you travel, since Sunday times differ.
How do you get from Limón to Tortuguero?
By boat or plane. Most visitors book a package with transport, so ask whether it leaves from Limón, Moín or another dock, and see the Tortuguero guide for park tickets and timing.
What can you do in Limón on a cruise day?
Walk the old town, visit Isla Uvita or book a coast tour. Check the all-aboard time first, leave a margin for road delays and carry only the cash and card you need.