Once an important banana port on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, Puerto Limon is better known as a good jumping-off point for visitors headed to Cahuita and Tortuguero national parks, or the Gandoca-Manzanillo National Wildlife Refuge. The city is also sometimes called simply "Limon" by locals, although that is also the name of the province.
Puerto Limon, which is about 100 mi/160 km east of San Jose, is also a popular stop for cruise ships. Unfortunately, there really isn't much to see or do in Puerto Limon itself—unless you are there for the huge Columbus Day Carnival in October.
Major restoration projects continue in Puerto Limon to refurbish cultural buildings and improve infrastructure, including the Museo Regional de la Provincia de Puerto Limon, which used to reside in the colonial-era post office. In addition, US$3.5 billion in infrastructure investment is planned for the region including a new marine and cruise ship terminal, industrial park, and pier designed to handle cargo.
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