Category: Cruise Excursions

THE TORTUGUERO CANAL

Explore the Tortuguero Canals on this approximately three-hour excursion. You ‘ll be taking a boat ride and sailing through the canals, admiring the rainforest scenery of a national park and looking out for wildlife.

Excursion Details

The Tortuguero Canals are set within Tortuguero National Park, a rainforest environment without any roads. The area is best toured by boat, which you ‘ll be doing on this excursion of approximately three hours.

A bus transfer of around 25 minutes takes you to Moín, a port town to the west of Limón and the departure point for your trip. There ‘s around 10 minutes here to arrive and board your boat, before setting off on a voyage of approximately 90 minutes.

As you sail peacefully through the Tortuguero National Park ‘s waterways, which run parallel to Costa Rica ‘s eastern coastline, gaze out at the thick vegetation and other tropical scenery, and keep an eye out for wildlife. The Canals national park houses different over 400 species of bird, as well as more than 130 species of mammal and various reptiles and amphibians, so there ‘s plenty to look for as you drift over the water, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

After the canal exploration comes to an end, disembark your boat and spend around 30 minutes enjoying a snack and cold drink, and also doing some shopping (time permitting), before the excursion concludes.

Important Information: Guests are recommended to wear light clothing, sunglasses, a hat, high-factor sunscreen, comfortable walking shoes and insect repellent as well as to bring a camera, binoculars, and rainwear. Guests must be at least 6 years old to participate.  Guests using mobility aids must be capable of navigating a few steps to get on and off the coach and boat. Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call.

BIRDS & NATURE AT THE BOCUARE JUNGLE HAVEN

Excursion details

This approximately seven-and-a-half-hour excursion takes you to the Bocuare Jungle, where you’ll learn about traditional skills and take part in various activities, as well as enjoying lunch at the on-site restaurant.

From Limón, there’s a transfer of around one hour and 45 minutes to Bocuare, a resort and adventure centre packed with tropical flora and fauna, offering a glimpse of a unique ecosystem. After a brief orientation you’ll set off on a roughly 35-minute hike, crossing a hanging bridge over a lagoon as you make your way along the park’s bird observation trail. Offering a haven to both resident and migratory birds, Bocuare Jungle is home to many species, so keep a look out as you stroll, although sightings cannot be guaranteed.

Your next stop, for around 30 minutes, is a historic sugar mill, where you’ll discover how sugarcane is processed, as well as helping to extract the juice and tasting the final product.

It’s then a stroll of around 15 minutes over a hanging bridge to the cacao-producing station. You’ll spend approximately 30 minutes here, discovering how raw beans are turned into chocolate and hearing how the cacao is dried, fermented and prepared for export.

Afterwards, it’s time for a dip. There’s around 15 minutes to make your way to Bocuare’s swimming pool and change into swimwear, before enjoying approximately 45 minutes in the water. After your swim, tuck into a traditional-style Costa Rican lunch at Bocuare’s restaurant for about 45 minutes, before boarding the bus for an approximately 50-minute journey to a banana plantation.

Bananas play a major role in Costa Rica’s economy and history. During your visit, you’ll spend around 35 minutes learning about their importance, followed by a stop at the gift shop (time permitting) before returning to the port on a journey of around 35 minutes.

Important Information: Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call. All participating guests will be required to sign a waiver which may only be available in English.

The tour offers guests an opportunity to hike to the heart of the rainforest and swim in a uniquely located swimming pool. Guests are advised that wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed. Guests are further recommended to wear light clothing, comfortable walking shoes, a hat, high-factor sunscreen, insect repellent, sunglasses as well as to bring a light jacket, rainwear, a camera, binoculars, a towel, and a change of clothes/swimwear to change into. Changing facilities are available for guests wishing to swim in the pool

CULTURE and SOUL FOOD IN HISTORICAL PUERTO LIMÓN

See the highlights of Puerto Límon during this approximately four-hour excursion. A combined bus and walking tour, it includes visits to landmarks such as the historical Parque Balvanero Vargas, local food at the former United Fruit Company and souvenir shopping at an artisans’market.
Excursion details

Spend a few hours exploring the delights of Puerto Limón on this bus and walking tour, lasting around four hours.

Meet your guide at the pier and board your bus for a short journey to Parque Balvanero Vargas in downtown Límon. After disembarking, enjoy a guided walk of the peaceful seaside park, named after the governor who oversaw its construction. Continue past the former city hall and along the old jetty for views of Isla Uvita, a small island thought to have been visited by Christopher Columbus for boat repairs on his final voyage in 1502. This section of the tour lasts around one hour in total and ends at Galería del Pasaje Cristal, which showcases local art.

Next, you’ll board the bus for a coastal sightseeing drive lasting about 20 minutes. Sit back and enjoy views of the Caribbean Sea on the way to Playa Bonita, where we will make a short stop to take in the sights of the beach. Then, reboard your bus for a short return drive to Puerto Limon town. Arriving at the House of Culture, you’ll enjoy a live calypso music and dance performance (with the possibility to join in), offering a glimpse into Limón’s vibrant cultural heritage. After the show there’s some free time, which can be used for souvenir shopping.

Afterwards, board the bus again for a journey of 20 minutes or so. Arrive at the former United Fruit Company building, a historical landmark associated with Costa Rica’s colonial past, where G&E Chocolate Adventure is now based. Here, you’ll spend approximately 40 minutes watching local chefs prepare dishes such as rice and beans and plantintá, a kind of plantain turnover, before tasting them.

A short walk then brings you back to the Puerto Limón port terminal, where you’ll have approximately 20 minutes to shop for souvenirs at an artisan’s market before making the short journey back to the ship on foot, at your own pace.

Important Information: The tour order may vary. Guests with any type of food intolerance are required to communicate it to the Shore Excursions Office at least two days before the call. Guests should be able to walk at least 1.6 km (1 mile) as the tour involves a considerable amount of walking and must be able to do approximately 25 steps up to the United Fruit Company’s second floor for the cooking lesson. The tour is not unsuitable for guests of limited mobility. Guests are recommended to wear comfortable shoes and high-factor sunscreen as well as to bring a hat