Limón

The shore of Limon inspired Christopher Columbus to call the country Costa Rica (Rich Coast) when he discovered it in 1502. The name of the province hails from a lemon tree that once stood near the local government’s headquarters and for being the only one of its kind on the premises. This is the seventh province with an administrative structure divided in six cantons and taking the northeastern tip of the nation, completely bathed by the Caribbean Sea. The main city, named after the province, has Costa Rica’s main seaport. This is where African-Caribbean, indigenous, European and Chinese culture convene and where there’s still a considerable chunk of indigenous population with cultural traditions they still call their own. A stroll around the city reveals lots of sightseeing spots that take visitors back in time to the colonial era. In recent years, Limon has panned out to be a major travel destination for anglers, especially in the canals of Tortuguero, Playa Bonita and Portete. Here you’ll find a variety of hotels, restaurants, means of transportation and stores. There are also great museums, theaters and other recreational centers. The most striking aspect about this town is its peculiar architectural layout, featuring wrought-iron balconies, metallic porches and tin roofs. The Cathedral, the Municipal Marketplace and the Vargas Park are some of the city’s landmarks. Along the Caribbean shoreline, you’ll find numerous national parks, biological reserves and lovely beaches. The city could serves as a starting point to get to the Tortuguero and Cahuita national parks, the Hitoy-Cerere reserve, Barra del Colorado and the area of Puerto Viejo. The Tortuguero National Park boasts a system of natural lakes and sailable canals in addition to being a major spawning site for Lora turtles. The Cahuita and Manzanillo national parks, for their part, are great for scuba diving buffs. Limon is no doubt the right spot to combine unforgettable vacations with the Caribbean sunshine and natural attractions.