What to do in Costa Rica

Northern Caribbean

This unit includes the Caribbean coast from the San Juan River to the city of Limon . The city of Limon is the tourism center of this Corridor, acting simultaneously as a lodging center and a connection point for distribution and tours. The main attraction is the existence of the National Wild Life Refuge Barra del Colorado and the National Park of Tortuguero, which is complemented by the system of rivers that join the Port of Moin with Barra del Colorado, which is a unique attraction and at the same time the only means of transportation. The beaches in this area are not as nice as those in the other planning units. However, despite the above, this sector includes some of the best attractions of the entire Corridor, such as shad and sea-bass fishing both in Barra del Colorado and in Parismina and Matina. It is favored by nature-based products, especially the observation of fauna: a worldwide acknowledged place for turtle and bird watching. Southern Caribbean This Unit goes from Limon up to the border with Panama and as in the previous case Limon is the main tourism center, acting as a connection and distribution center. The Unit exhibits a unique combination in the country of beaches, natural resources, and afro-Caribean culture in the locations of Cahuita, Puerto Viejo, and Gandoca Manzanillo. It is very different from the typical developments of the Insular Caribbean, which gives it a special potential to differentiate the Costa Rican product. The beaches are of a high quality and they allow the combination of adventure activities which natural history, both of which are complemented with the culture, food, and music. The coral reefs, beaches with light-colored sand, coastal vegetation, and mid-height forests stand out. The Cahuita National Park, Puerto Vargas, and the Reserve of Gandoca Manzanillo are places known world-wide not only for their natural beauty but because they are starting to become unique places of conservation in practically the entire Great Caribbean. Current development in the Unit is pretty limited and characterized by small establishments with little integration in what refers to product, but it is an area with a great potential for future growth.