Limon Costa Rica Travel Guide is located on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast is removed from San Jose, especially from its sphere of influence and Limon is the great city of the region. This is a hard-working port city and is not particularly targeted at travelers and tourists. The streets are lined with run-down buildings and there are numerous over grown parks. Shoppers and street vendors crowd the sidewalks. Most visitors use Limon as a transport hub to get to the Caribbean. However, one of the reasons to travel to Limon is to get a feel for the regional culture and past history.

Limon Costa Rica — history was heavily influenced by the economy of the region.

The Atlantic coast of Costa Rica was left unexplored by Spanish settlers until the 19th century. The railroad began construction in 1987 and brought in freed Jamaican slaves for cheap labor.

At the same time, the United Fruit Company began growing and exporting bananas making it a booming business. In 1913, the banana industry moved to the Pacific coast but the workers were restricted by visa regulations from following the employment opportunities. Without employment, locals turned to subsistence farming, fishing and working on cocoa plantations.

An uprising in 1948 lead to a 40-day civil war and in 1949, a new president gave blacks the right to work and travel freely throughout Costa Rica.

During the month of August, Puerto Limon hosts an Afro-Caribbean cultural celebration where the festival showcases African heritage.

On October 12 (Columbus Day), Puerto Limon hosts a carnival with colorful street parades of dancing, music, singing and drinking. Be sure to book your hotel in advance is you wish to view this spectacle.

Limon Costa Rica — travel sights & activities are as follows:

• Walking on the bench-lined sidewalks on the waterfront in Parque Vargas is the city's main attraction.
• Shopping on the pedestrian mall and mercado central where local Latin-reggae fusion and hip-hop music can be purchased.
• Visiting Museo Etnohisortico de Limon has exhibits of Afro-Caribbean artifacts.
• Boating out to Isla Uvita to catch the country's most powerful lefts is also an option.

Limon Costa Rica — Hotels

There's a respectable selection of budget and mid-range hotels but be sure to book in advance during vacations and on weekends. You'll need a hard-copy guidebook such as the Lonely Planet or Moon Guide, as there are few hotels in Limon that have web sites.

Limon Costa Rica — Entertainment

Puerto Limon attracts a number of characters who frequent local bars, including prostitutes, sailors, and others. Solo ladies should be aware of this and go out with others at night.