Vacation Travelers Group Blog

Limon is a providence can be found in the eastern part of Costa Rica and runs 125 miles along the coast between the Panama and Nicaragua and bordering the Atlantic Ocean. Limon got its name from the Spanish word Limon which means lime or lemon, because there was a big lemon tree located in Limon city.

The capital of Limon is Puerto Limon. Limon is the location of Christopher Columbus’ landing in 1502 and where he coined the name of the country. The providence has a land area of just under 10,000 square kilometers and currently has a population of just under 400,000 people. The providence is also subdivided into six cantons, namely Guacimo, Limon, Matina, Pococi, Siquirres, and Talamanca.

The Limon coastline was the location where Christopher Columbus landed when he arrived at Costa Rica in 1502 and it was on seeing the coast that he called it Costa Rica. Columbus’ dealings with the indigenous people were fairly good and over the years the Spaniards dealings deteriorated. The whole country was colonised and the native peoples resisted continuously which in part slowed the pace at which the Spaniards were able to develop the country and Limon in particular.

This resistance coupled with many problems faced by the Spaniards with the forests and mountains of the interior of the country caused them to abandon establishing many settlements in the Limon area of the country. The Spaniards established a number of cacao farms in the province that were worked by both indigenous people and slaves brought in from Africa. These farms however never really contributed much to the country’s economy and its progression and after 150 years most of the farms were all gone.

In 1821 when Costa Rica became independent from Spain much of Limon was not really opened up and it remain so for another 45 years when a port was established at what is now Limon City. A railroad was also built to connect Limon with the rest of the country. Banana plantations were also developed on parts of the province and became the most prominent economic activity.

Located on the Caribbean side of what is known as the continental divide and rising up to 4000 meters above sea level Limon’s weather is greatly influenced by the warm air that flows over the waters by way of the northeast trade winds. The climate of the province is primarily tropical in nature and one where there is no true dry season and where less rain falls during the months of March to April and November and December. Areas that are low lying are generally warm and humid throughout the year and the highlands much cooler.

One of the major draws for many visitors to the Limon provinces is its many beaches. Many of the beaches here are littered with palm trees and fine yellow and white sand. The water is clear in many areas and beautiful to visit. This is what people think of when they dream of paradise and the Limon beaches gives visitors a bit of paradise.

Some of the most visited attractions in Limon include the Cahuita National Park. This park covers some 1000 hectares and also has close to 15 kilometres of beaches. It is also littered with coconut trees, mangroves, and thick forests. This is a great place to go exploring and see the vast flora and fauna of the province. Snorkelling and diving are very popular activities along the beaches.

The canals de Tortuguero located on the north shores of the Caribbean are another great site to see. They came about due to the dredging that occurred in the 1960’s to link some lagoons and river courses.  Travel via the canals has made the Tortuguero National Park much more accessible to tourists and its scenic qualities have produced a great influx of visitors.

Another one of the more popular spots in Limon is the Kekoldi Indigenous Reserve. This is where you will find some of the country’s small indigenous population. A guided visit to this reserve can be set up and visitors will get to experience the native lifestyle and customs of the people. There are two indigenous groups that are represented there, the Bribri and the Cabecar and they are direct descendants of those who had lived in the region for over a thousand years. Visitors will also get to experience how these people have developed a more environmental way of life and live in harmony with nature. There are a number of restaurants located in the area many of which can be found in the provinces capital. These restaurants serve mostly Costa Rican dishes and many other Caribbean delights. Some restaurants also serve European dishes.

Manzanillo, Costa Rica is located approximately 6.5km south of Puerto Viejo.  It ends the coast road nicely in fact.  When you go beyond the coast road that leads to Manzanillo, you will only find plush jungle.  Monkey Point can be accessed from Manzanillo by boat, and there are several boat tours that will lead you there.

The people of Manzanillo are tight knit.  The community is small and the people are close to one another.  The town itself is much smaller that that of Puerto Viejo, with the inhabitants numbering about half of those in Puerto Viejo.  The culture is quite rich however and most of the people who live there are of Afro-Caribbean heritage.

Manzanillo is a place that has only recently become a tourist spot.  Before recently, the town didn’t have a complete paved road, making it difficult for many tourists.  However, with a paving project well underway and complete in many areas, tourists are finding it easier to access this beautiful place and are enjoying the environment greatly.

So, if you are looking for a place in Costa Rica that is a little less inhabited than other spots, Manzanillo is a great choice.  You can enjoy diving in the great coral locations off of the beach or go exploring in the jungle-like landscape.  In addition, if you love nature, you can take a drive past Manzanillo into the Gandoca Wildlife Reserve for a great adventure.  You can follow trails around the reserve and check out the natural landscape and wildlife there.  No matter what you choose to do, you can be sure that Manzanillo is a place you won’t soon forget.

The caribbean is a great region for those who want to experience the beauty of the tropics and the beautiful beaches.

Limon Costa Rica

It is great fun and many people consider it the adventure of a lifetime. Would you like to hook a sailfish on a fly, catch and release a marlin, fight a giant tuna, reel in dolphin fish, take a swim with a porpoise, and catch a few snappers to take back for your dinner? The Coasts of Costa Rica are a World-Class sport fishing paradise.

Costa Rica has some of the best Sport Fishing in the world. The Pacific side has incredible fishing for Sailfish, Marlin, Dorado, Tuna, Wahoo, Roosterfish, Snapper, and more. The Caribbean side and Northern regions of Costa Rica are famous for big Tarpon and big Snook.

More than 40 world records have been registered in Costa Rica waters. Sailfish, black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin (sails and marlin are catch and release), yellow fin tuna and Wahoo are found in abundance.For anglers that want to fish a bit closer to home you can go charter fishing inshore for species like roosterfish and snapper. You can find large concentrations of grouper and snapper when fishing inshore.

Billfish are the favored target of most visiting anglers. There are many charter boats up and down Costa Rica’s Pacific coast. They can accommodate an individual, a couple, a family or a group of any size. Changes are occurring in the practice of deep sea fishing in Costa Rica. Fishing boat charter owners and captains want to preserve certain popular fish species. When a billfish or large shark is caught, they pull it in to measure and to take great photographs. Then they release the fish into the water.

The fishermen do not have to despair because they cannot keep their trophy. With new technology taxidermist’s can make you a superior mount that exactly replicates your catch. You still have a great keepsake and full bragging rights after deep sea fishing in Costa Rica.

Check out the listings for charter and guide fishing in saltwater and freshwater regions all across Costa Rica. Choose knowledgeable charter boat captains and guides to put you on those trophy fish you’ve been missing. Most of the larger outfits are proven professional, trustworthy, and experienced fishing boat charters that use the newest innovative and most widely accepted fishing techniques available today.

Fresh water Fishing
Costa Rica ‘s northern province’s feature a couple of inland lakes which make up for some very interesting Costa Rica freshwater fishing: Arenal Volcano And Caño Negro provides angles with a shot at fishing for rainbow-bass (Quapote).

The biggest of the lakes is Arenal, Fortuna which has an area of 80 square kilometers and a length of 42 km. This man made lake fed by a multitude of rivers was form when a dam was constructed on the southeast side for producing hydroelectric power. The lake is loaded with rainbow-bass and machaca, with the occasional 6 to 10 lb tilapia. This is a premier Costa Rica freshwater sport fishing destination, so there are a lot of options on boats and accommodations for every budget.

The second largest body of water for practicing Costa Rica freshwater fishing is in the area is called Caño Negro (Cano negro tours available) with 800 hectares of wetlands on the Caño Negro Wildlife Refuge, that occupies an total area of 9,969 hectares. You will also find accommodations for every budget when freshwater fishing in the area, as well as well stocked sport fishing boats that give service for Cano Negro fishing and Cano Negro Tours.

There are also some “smaller” lagoons worth checking out if Costa Rica freshwater fishing is on your mind. Río Cuarto and Lake Hule are known for their big and mean rainbow bass. Actually Lake Hule produced the 1991 IGFA rainbow bass fishing record with 12 lb. 9 oz. Costa Rica freshwater sport fishing is growing in popularity and has become a fresh water fishing tourist destination.

Costa Rica has a very complex river system contained in a small terrain, which is very good if you like sport fishing. From trout to tarpon, rainbow bass, alligator gar, snook, machaca, river drums and more can be catched when fishing these rivers.

In the northern part of the country the towns of Upala and Guatuso stand out as great fishing destinations when searching for the acrobatic machaca. Wide and deep rivers with medium current and mixed rock and wood cover present ideal settings for machaca, guapote, alligator gar and the occasional tarpon.

The clear, crystal and cold water is ideal when sport fishing for trout, which has been gradually stock by a government agency in the surrounding areas. Ideal opportunity when sport fishing with kids or beginners. A must if you want to learn to fly-fish.

In the Southern regions of Costa Rica there are also many wide, deep, medium to clear flowing waters with rock and wood cover. Some have big still water pools, which present ideal conditions for fresh water sport fishing. In short you can find great fresh water fishing in Costa Rica through out the entire year. The best thing is that most people do not know.

Some of the best surfing in the world is off of the Costa Rica coasts. Surfing Costa Rica from Drake Bay and Playa Grande to Pavones and Tortuguero to Manzanillo.

The Pacific Northwest Guanacaste Coast of Costa Rica has some of the most consistent swell activity anywhere in Costa Rica. The waves are perfect for beginners and experts alike, with daily offshore winds creating long rides with easy take offs and hollow barrel sections. The Central Pacific Coast has all the surfer needs with surf spots up and down the coast. The roots of surfing in Costa Rica started in the Central Pacific. The South Pacific has excellent swells. Getting there can be a challenge but well rewarded. Some of the best surfing in the country can be found on the Caribbean coast during certain times of the year. With good planning and a bit of luck you can hop from one spot to the next in just a few hours. Check out the hottest surfing beaches in Costa Rica.

Between one and two million tourists visit Costa Rica each year. Visiting Costa Rica resorts, hotels and a large number of Costa Rica vacation rentals. What draws so many people to this lightly advertised destination? Natural beauty and diversity are the answers. Costa Rica covers only 0.03% of the surface of the planet but it has about 6% of the world’s biodiversity.

Visitors encounter seas, beaches, rivers, waterfalls, mountains, and an abundance of flora and fauna. Twelve major life zones provide habitat for over 10,000 kinds of flowering plants, 850 bird species, 3,000 butterfly species, and 209 species of mammals. Volcanoes, rainforests, cloud forests, lowland jungles, the Pacific coastline, and tranquil Caribbean beaches stretch across seven provinces. Thirty percent of the land is protected by national and private reserves, which harbor more than five percent of the world’s plant and animal species.

Costa Rica is Central America’s jewel. It’s an oasis of calm among its turbulent neighbors and an ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact.

Costa Rica boasts 20 national parks, 8 biological reserves, and a wealth of other protected areas to enchant those who marvel at the wonders of nature. It draws ecotourists for Costa Rica vacations from around the globe. Activities include horse-back riding, hiking mountainous paths in the cloud forests, guided bird-watching tours, volcanoes, scuba diving, snorkeling, sailing, canopy tours, golf and much more.
Ticos, as the people of Costa Rica are known, are famous for being hospitable, and are quite happy to live up to their reputation. They seem to be well aware that their country is a special place, and they go out of their way to accommodate their visitors, explaining things that might seem foreign to a foreigner, and helping make their stay as enjoyable as possible.

Northwest Costa Rica, the Guanacaste province is for the active soul, drawing visitors with its beaches, rivers, waterfalls and natural attractions. Forming the eastern border is a group of volcanoes that form the Cordillera de Guanacaste and Cordillera de Tilarán. From the mountains flow various rivers that roll down and form an alluvial plain drained by the Rio Tempisque, which empties into the Gulf de Nicoya. The name Guanacaste is derived from quahnacaztlan, a native word for the guanacaste tree, which is Costa Rica’s national tree.

With a new airport at Liberia, tourism to Guanacaste has boomed. Costa Rica is a tropical country with two seasons – dry and wet. The Guanacaste Province is the driest region of the country with less than 55 inches of rain in the coastal areas.

Costa Rica occupies a territory of around 20,000 square miles in the southern part of Central America, and includes several small islands mostly on the Pacific side. It is much like the state of Florida with two long coastlines. The country is only about 200 miles long and 70 miles wide at the narrowest part.
Costa Rica is often compared to Switzerland and Hawaii because of its mountains and forests. Unlike many areas of Mexico, Central and South America, Costa Rica remains beautiful year-round. This is partly because it borders the Pacific Ocean on the west, the Atlantic Ocean on the east, and has a string of towering volcanoes on the Central Plateau. Combine all this and you have a unique tropical paradise with 11 climatic zones.

The high season in Costa Rica, December through April, is the dry season. The green season, which lasts from May to November, usually sees sunny mornings, with rain showers in late afternoon and evening. Overall, the climate is tropical, with an average temperature of 72°F (22°C). It can be much hotter along the coastal areas of the country, and much cooler in the mountains.

In the past, agricultural exports, like bananas and coffee, have been the staple of the Costa Rican economy. However, tourism has always played an ever-increasing role, and now it has become the dominant economic force. Ecotourism travel is the most preferred for expansion because it will provide a sustainable resource for tourism for generations of Costa Ricans to come. Costa Ricans love to show off their country, and sincerely welcome all travelers and vacationers.

San Jose, population over one million, is the capital and cultural heart of Costa Rica. Other major cities (by population) are: Alajuela, Cartago, Heredia, Liberia, Limón and Puntarenas.

To enter the country you now must have a valid passport. Some countries now require your passport to be valid for at least 6 more months in order to leave your country to come here. Check with you embassy or airline. Costa Rica is on Central Standard Time, six hours behind Greenwich Mean Time and one hour behind EST in the States. It does not currently use daylight saving time.

No shots are required. The water in the major cities of Costa Rica is safe and most hotels and restaurants offer purified tap water. You might prefer to drink bottled water or seltzer to be sure. Costa Rica has excellent, low-cost medical care and well-qualified practitioners. Many North Americans come to Costa Rica for cosmetic surgery or dental work.

Costa Rica is a safe destination for 99% of its tourists, but it’s always a good idea to exercise caution whenever one travels. In general, the country has a low crime rate. In most cases, crimes are simple thievery – non-violent crimes of opportunity, so just exercise caution, as anywhere in the world.
Costa Rica has a reputation as one of the most stable and prosperous Latin American countries.
Costa Rica has something for everybody! Whatever your interests; eco-tourism trips bird watching, adventure tours, fishing, diving, rafting, canopy tours, golf, all inclusive hotels, vacation homes or just relaxing on an unspoiled tropical beach, you will find all of that and more in this tropical and secure paradise.

Considering a romantic or family Costa Rica vacation? You’re choosing one of the best tourist destinations in the world. Costa Rica has been called the Hawaii of Central America. A Costa Rica vacation is full of beauty, lush foliage, many wildlife surprises, incredible lakes, rivers, and waterfalls.

Activities on a Costa Rica vacation include bird and butterfly watching, surfing, deep sea fishing, scuba diving, tree top (canopy) tours, four wheeling, snorkeling, shopping, hiking, river rafting, horse back riding and casinos. On a Costa Rica vacation you’ll find pristine beaches, tropical jungles, clear blue skies, high mountain rain forest, and tropical sun. That’s why Costa Rica was aptly named ‘rich coast’ by Christopher Columbus in 1502.

Nature is Costa Rica’s green card. Wildlife diversity and exceptional landscapes merge in a long list of untouched lands and protected areas that will get you involved in as many Costa Rica expedition activities and adventure sports as you can imagine.

Costa Rica is unusually blessed by the diversity of its butterflies. There exists about 20,000 butterfly species worldwide. Of these, about 1,000 or 5% can be found in Costa Rica.
With more than 850 species of birds, all found within a tight geographic area, Costa Rica offers birders of all levels of expertise an unrivaled bird watching experience. Birders out on the trail in Costa Rica’s forests should keep an eye out for mixed flocks foraging on certain types of food, especially fruit, in the forest canopy.

Costa Rica is home to roughly 150 species of amphibians, some of which are extremely colorful and exotic. There are tree frogs, which spend their entire lives above the forest floor, breeding in the water of tank bromeliads or in holes in the trunks of trees. Others, like the poison-arrow frog, are exuberantly colored, ranging from bright red with blue or green legs to bright green with black markings. There are over 200 species of reptiles in Costa Rica. The 14 turtle species include both marine and freshwater varieties. The largest of the marine turtles are leatherbacks. Their shells are up to 5 feet and they weigh upwards of 800 pounds! Marine turtles climb up sandy beaches to lay their eggs, a spectacular sight because it happens en masse.

Costa Rica is home to over 9,000 identified species of vascular plants, including over 900 different species of trees. Costa Rica is home to some 1,500 species of orchids. From sub-alpine dwarf vegetation, rainforest flora from sea level to mangrove swamps and seasonal dry forest with its deciduous trees, there is an astounding range of floral habitats for a country so small.

The protection of Costa Rica’s natural heritage is managed by the respective national parks and reserves. These areas protect many species of mammals, birds, amphibians, reptiles, fresh and salt-water fish, and a vast number of identified vascular plants-representing 4% of the world’s total floral and faunal species.

In addition, these management groups protect examples of almost all the existing natural habitats such as deciduous forests, mangrove swamps, rain forests, herbaceous swamps, cloud forests, paramos, hilillo forests and marshlands. They also protect areas of historical and archaeological interest, such as pre-Columbian settlements and early battlefields, as well as beautiful areas of scenic interest, such as beaches, valleys and waterfalls. But above all, the areas of particular interest to the conservationist are the zones which protect the last remaining examples of Central American dry forest and the beaches where the sea turtles nest.

The protection of Costa Rica’s natural resources has implications beyond its borders because they encompass an incredible biodiversity, including numerous species on the verge of extinction. All of this is the reason the country has become one of the most popular destinations for visiting ecologists and biologists. On the whole, access to these areas and facilities are freely available provided the visitor respects the need to protect them. These protected areas are ideal for hiking and rafting, for watching the birds and other wildlife, for camping and just for enjoying in general, their rivers, beaches, jungles, mountain forests, volcanoes as well as their historic and archaeological sites.

A Costa Rica vacation is fast becoming the #1 romantic honeymoon and family vacation destination in the world. Whether it’s your honeymoon or family vacation– Exotic, Romantic and Nature– the perfect ingredients for that special get away, what more could you ask for on your vacation. An unbeatable choice for those travelers looking for a combination of relaxation, romance and activity. The atmosphere on a Costa Rica vacation is “Pura-Vida”, the pure life.

Costa Rica is Central America’s jewel. It’s an oasis and an Ecotourism heaven, making it one of the best places to experience the tropics with minimal impact. It’s also mostly coastline, which means great surfing, activities and beaches galore with a climate built for laziness.

Deep Sea Fishing
Would you like to hook a sailfish on a fly, catch and release a marlin, fight a giant tuna, reel in dolphin fish, take a swim with a porpoise, and catch a few snappers to take back for your dinner? The North Pacific Coast of Costa Rica is a World-Class sport fishing paradise. More than 40 world records have been registered within an 80-mile radius. Sailfish, black marlin, blue marlin, striped marlin (sails and marlin are catch and release), yellow fin tuna and Wahoo are found in abundance. Inshore species include large concentrations of roosterfish and snapper. Billfish are the favored target of most visiting anglers. There are many charter boats on the west coast of Costa Rica. They can accommodate an individual, a couple, a family or a group of any size.

Canopy Tours
Swing like a monkey thru the trees on a zip line canopy tour. Guides are professionals in the area of Canopying and most have years of previous experience. The canopy tour offers any adventurous tourist the opportunity to ascend into the forest canopy and see jungle life from a perspective available previously to only a select few researchers and photographers. This is an Adventure for all ages that should not be missed.

Sailing
Experience a day of sailing and exploring the impressive Costa Rican coast. While sailing you could encounter dolphins, whales, turtles, manta rays and bat rays. Anchored in a bay you can snorkel coral and rock formations, swim, or simply enjoy the secluded beaches. The best way of relaxing on your vacation is to enjoy a beautiful Guanacaste Sunset Cruise. Sit-back and watch the colorful sunset, while sipping a cold beer, rum punch or soft drinks and enjoying the light snacks.

Volcano’s, Hot Springs, Mud Baths and Waterfalls
Arenal volcano is well known for its exploding lava shows. Shop at the road side gallery’s and gift shops. Visit the rain forest. Lake Arenal, a beautiful 22-mile long lake is great for freshwater fishing. It’s home to the hard-hitting rainbow bass, or quapote: five to six pounders are common. Take your swimsuits to bathe in the pools of naturally warm thermal waters amid tropical gardens at Arenal Volcano National Park. For the sports enthusiast you can windsurf one of the premier windsurfing destinations in the world. Due to the area’s irregular topography the wind is constant, providing excellent windsurfing conditions, especially in the dry season between December and April.

Buena Vista Hot Springs
Canopy tour, hot springs, horses, water slide, waterfall and mud bath.
The thermal waters, steam bath, and natural spa are located at the foot of Volcano, Rincon de la Vieja. At the hot springs, you will relax unconditionally as you enjoy pleasurable and rejuvenating treatments with volcanic mud and warm spring waters. This “spoil me” atmosphere makes it easy to forget the hustle and bustle of modern life. By horseback you can visit three waterfalls. Each one has Natural swimming pools at the bottom of the falls.

Surfing
The Pacific Northwest Guanacaste Coast of Costa Rica has the most consistent swell activity anywhere in Costa Rica. The waves are perfect for beginners and experts alike, with daily offshore winds creating long rides with easy take offs and hollow barrel sections. Tamarindo Costa Rica has a long beach break and welcomes surfers from around the world. Surfing is only a 25-minute boat ride from El Coco to Witches Rock where the experts surf.

Scuba diving and Snorkeling
Costa Rica’s North Pacific waters offer divers varied and plentiful marine life. Schools of small fish (often by the thousands), colorful tropical fish, Jacks, Barracudas, Eels, Eagle Rays, white-tip Reef Sharks, Manta Rays and Bull Sharks are commonly spotted. There is an incredible array of marine life of all varieties and colors awaiting you off of the nearby reefs and islands. For the beginner, check out Playa Hermosa. There you can take classes in the pool, the day before you dive with a certified master diver. Instruction in the pool takes a couple hours and the student will be able to practice all the necessary safety and comfort skills before going out in the ocean for 2 dives. Diving can be great any month of the year. This is primarily due to the abundance of plankton and other marine organisms at the lower end of the food chain that thrive in the warm 75 to 85 degree tropical waters. Average visibility ranges from 30′ to 50′ with possibilities of up to 80′.

Golfing
Imagine a golf vacation at any popular golf destination before the golf traveler discovered them. You will re-discover “no-hassle” tee times and the enjoyment of playing unhurried rounds of golf on courses designed by well known golf architects George Fazio, Robert Trent Jones, Jr., Ted Robinson, Jr., Mike Young and Tracy May. Here you will find all the ingredients for a great golf vacation and the added bonus of experiencing the scenic beauty and natural attractions of Costa Rica.

White Water Rafting
Costa Rica offers some of the world’s finest whitewater rafting and kayaking rivers. These rivers plunge through spectacularly beautiful, largely unexplored tropical wilderness. Whether an expert or beginner, nature lover or thrill seeker, rafting enthusiast or active kayaker, there is an unforgettable experience awaiting you. If you are looking for an action-packed one-day or multi-day trip to complement your vacation, the rivers of this beautiful land are waiting for you. The wild and scenic Costa Rica Rivers offers some of the finest rapids in Latin America. Suitable even for first time rafters, this thrill-ride of churning water and breathtaking scenery will be the highlight of your trip.

Costa Rica has something for everyone so don’t delay make your reservations today!