Puerto Limon

Puerto Limón sits on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, and the cruise terminal is near the town centre. The town itself is fairly rough, with Parque Vargas (a waterfront park with towering palm trees and sloths in the canopy) being the main point of interest in town. Most people head out on excursions to see the region's wildlife and rainforest. The Tortuguero Canals are the main draw: boat trips through the waterways pass through dense jungle where howler monkeys, sloths, caimans, and tropical birds are common sightings. The Rainforest Aerial Tram gives a canopy-level view of the forest. A visit to a banana or cacao plantation shows the region's agricultural side. The food has Afro-Caribbean influence: rice and beans cooked in coconut milk, jerk chicken, and fresh tropical fruit. The Costa Rican Colón is the currency, though US dollars are accepted in tourist areas.