princess cruises costa rica excursions

Limon, Costa Rica

Description.

Costa Rica's Limon Province boasts a lush tropical climate, sprawling banana plantations and dense rainforest. These Caribbean lowlands are still sparsely populated--nearly a third of the province's population lives around Puerto Limon--and conservation efforts have led to growing eco-tourism. Limon Province offers other charms as well. Afro-Caribbean influences abound, from the lilting speech and reggae rhythms brought by Jamaican settlers to the colorful bungalows lining small fishing villages. Limon is a zesty little slice of heaven.

Points of Interest

• Tortuguero Canals
• Rainforest Aerial Tram
• Canopy Zipline Tour
• Sloth Sanctuary
• Plantations
• Veragua Rainforest
• River Rafting

More about Limon, Costa Rica Points of Interest

Embark on a fascinating journey down the canals system that links remote Barra del Colorado and Tortuguero with Puerto Limón, and discover the less traveled Caribbean side of Costa Rica.

Take an unforgettable tram ride above the rainforest's treetops and observe wildlife found only within the canopy system on a 1,200-acre private nature preserve.

Enjoy this exhilarating experience as you glide through the rainforest on specially-built traverses and cables for a bird's-eye view of the rainforest canopy.

Meet the sloths in the care of this acclaimed rescue center featured in Animal Planet's "Meet the Sloths." Two tour options are offered for sloth lovers of all ages.

Costa Rica's plantations dot the landscape with their rich history, offering tours through rows of enormous banana and coffee plants, fields of sugar cane, and trees ripe with cacao and macadamias.

At this research center and park, see the world's largest indoor nocturnal frog exhibit. Visit a butterfly garden, a reptile habitat and a hummingbird garden. Ride a canopy tram and hike the trails.

Ride aboard the historic railroad that birthed Costa Rica's banana industry and enjoy the lush scenery just outside your window, where you might spot howler monkeys and two-toed sloths!

Lined with verdant foliage, the Reventazon River offers a glimpse at local wildlife-including toucans, herons and iguanas-and offers an exciting ride along its Class II rapids.

24 Excursions

Monster bus & rainforest exploration.

Moderate Activity, Includes snack

From $ 119.95

Best of Limon: Original Rainforest Aerial Tram, Tortuguero Canals & Lunch

Easy Activity, Includes meal

From $ 234.95

Rainforest Walk, Canal Cruise & Countryside

Easy Activity, Includes snack

From $ 114.95

Limon Countryside & Tropical Plant Paradise

Easy Activity

From $ 64.95

Scenic Drive & Folkloric Show

From $ 69.95

Cultural Journey & Soul Food Delight

Historic banana route railway journey.

From $ 79.95

Original Rainforest Aerial Tram, Nature Walk & Lunch

From $ 189.95

Veragua Rainforest Tour

From $ 179.95

Veragua Rainforest (Wheelchair Accessible)

Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity, Includes snack

Tayutic Hacienda & Lunch

Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From $ 139.95

Golden Bean Coffee Tour, Scenic Drive & Lunch

From $ 159.95

National Parks, Wildlife Refuge & Macaw Sanctuary (A Small-Group Tour)

Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From $ 184.95

Meet the Sloths: Behind the Scenes - An Animal Planet Exclusive Tour

From $ 349.95

Animal Planet Exclusive - "Meet the Sloths"

From $ 149.95

Local Connections: Wildlife Rescue Center & Guided Jungle Walk

Puerto viejo beach break & shopping.

Moderate Activity

From $ 94.95

Original Canopy Zipline Tour at Veragua Rainforest

Strenuous Activity

From $ 154.95

Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram & the Original Canopy Tour Combination

Strenuous Activity, Includes meal

From $ 274.95

Rainforest Sky Walk

Train ride, tortuguero canals & countryside, tortuguero canals cruise, veragua rainforest, tortuguero canals & lunch.

From $ 209.95

Class II Rafting on the Reventazon River & Snack

Strenuous Activity, Includes snack

From $ 144.95

Puntarenas tour - A walk in the clouds

By mrell345 , December 30, 2023 in Costa Rica

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We did this tour on the 30th of December while stopping in Puntarenas on the Emerald Princess.

Tour Description:

Explore the lush ecosystem of a cloud forest as you walk along beautiful trails with a naturalist guide. Begin with a 1 hour and 45 minute scenic drive to San Luis Park. You'll walk to the hummingbird garden, an open area where these tiny, colorful birds flit about gathering sweet nectar from blooming flowers. A series of suspension bridges cover more than a half mile of the cloud forest, and walking across them is the ultimate way to get a bird's-eye view of the ecosystem. Back on terra firma, hike alongside sparkling rivers and cascading waterfalls. Refresh at a restaurant with a traditional lunch. On your return, stop at El Jardín to admire the gardens and peruse a well-stocked souvenir shop before continuing to the ship.

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Just now, mrell345 said: We did this tour on the 30th of December while stopping in Puntarenas on the Emerald Princess.   Tour Description: Explore the lush ecosystem of a cloud forest as you walk along beautiful trails with a naturalist guide. Begin with a 1 hour and 45 minute scenic drive to San Luis Park. You'll walk to the hummingbird garden, an open area where these tiny, colorful birds flit about gathering sweet nectar from blooming flowers. A series of suspension bridges cover more than a half mile of the cloud forest, and walking across them is the ultimate way to get a bird's-eye view of the ecosystem. Back on terra firma, hike alongside sparkling rivers and cascading waterfalls. Refresh at a restaurant with a traditional lunch. On your return, stop at El Jardín to admire the gardens and peruse a well-stocked souvenir shop before continuing to the ship.

Did you like it?

We departed the ship at 07:30 and the tour bus picked us up on the pier not too far from the ship.  This appears to be a very popular tour.  There is walking involved up and down lots of stairs and across suspension bridges in the park.  You need to wear good walking shoes and pants instead of shorts are a good idea.  Bring insect repellent as a couple of people got bites and one lady who was wearing sandals possibly got an ant bite.

It was a really nice tour and it lived up to its name of cloud forrest.  We had about an hour and a half ride on a comfortable air conditioned coach that was in excellent shape (it also had a toilet in the back).  Our tour guide kept up a running commentary on the ride out though winding roads up into the mountains.

Upon arrival at the park we were given time to go to the bathroom if needed at which time we had a guide take us around.  We started in the humming bird area with the local guide giving information on the local ecosystem and what we could expect to see.  We then went on a walk down into the valley with different stops along the way for him to explain various items of interest.  We could also hear the people zip lining and bungee jumping not to far away.  

After the tour we were given the included lunch which was rice and beans with chicken/fish or pork, plantain and salad.  It was quite nice.  We had about 30 minutes for lunch and to explore the stores at the park entrance.

We got back on our buses and were taken to a tourist area with a shop and some animal exibits and a garden.  There was also a butterfly garden there.  Afterwards we had a drive of just over an hour to  bring us back to the ship for around 2:30 PM.

• 4 weeks later...

FLCruiser9316

Where did the ship dock at Puntarenas? I understand there are a couple places ships dock there. We are on the Emerald Princess tomorrow.

57 minutes ago, FLCruiser9316 said: Where did the ship dock at Puntarenas? I understand there are a couple places ships dock there. We are on the Emerald Princess tomorrow.

Not many places for cruis ships to dock.  Yo will be at the Muelle de Cruceros.  A bit of a walk down the pier to town (4 Ave).

Thanks! Looking for a good zip line tour from there!

1 minute ago, FLCruiser9316 said: Thanks! Looking for a good zip line tour from there!

Can't help you with that.

• 3 months later...

@mrell345  Thank you for the review and photos.  Did you do a ship tour or through a 3rd party company?  If 3rd party, which one did you use?

18 minutes ago, alwalaska said: @mrell345  Thank you for the review and photos.  Did you do a ship tour or through a 3rd party company?  If 3rd party, which one did you use?   Thanks!

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Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Description.

To Spanish explorers, the rumors of gold and vast riches could only mean that this section of Central America was the costa rica - the "Rich Coast." Hailed as the Switzerland of the Americas, Costa Rica occupies a unique position, lying between two oceans and two continents. On both coasts, tropical rainforests rise to the mountains of the interior, many of which soar over 13,000 feet above sea level. In the west, a seemingly endless succession of brown-sand beaches forms the nation's Pacific coast. Puntarenas is your gateway to Costa Rica's wonders - and to its capital city of San Jose.

Points of Interest

• San Jose & National Theater
• River Cruise
• Coffee Plantation
• Costa Rica Animal Center
• Costa Rica Rainforest
• Thermal Springs
• Rainforest Aerial Tram

More about Puntarenas, Costa Rica Points of Interest

Costa Rica's vibrant capital city is home to the Gold Museum, the spectacular Metropolitan Cathedral, the historic National Museum (the scene of fighting during the 1948 civil war), and the National Theater, considered to be the country's most beautiful building.

Costa Rica's river cruises glide through the tropical mangroves where crocodiles, lizards and waterfowl roam, but the Corobici River is a prime waterway for a laid-back river raft float.

Coffee production has always played a key role in the country's history and is important for the economy. Tour a sprawling plantation to discover how coffee is produced, from bean to cup.

Dedicated to the rehabilitation and release of Costa Rica's endangered wildlife back into the wild, the center is home to sloths, spider monkeys, howler monkeys, owls and and other animals.

Sarchi, a friendly rural village, is famous for its talented local artists who paint and decorate traditional oxcarts in intricate, vivid designs. It is also home to the largest oxcart in the world.

From the misty treetops of the Monteverde Cloud Forest to the brilliantly-colored scarlet macaws who call Carara National Park their home, Costa Rica's lush rainforests are full of intrigue.

Set near a hidden canyon where a thermo-mineral river flows, the springs are also famous for their natural mineral hot pools and exuberant vegetation.

Costa Rica's incredible Rainforest Aerial Tram offers an intimate ride above the treetops and past numerous waterfalls while a knowledgeable naturalist guide points out highlights along the way.

19 Excursions

San jose, national theater, & lunch.

Easy Activity, Includes meal

From $ 139.95

Best of Puntarenas: Aerial Tram, Tarcoles River & Lunch

Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes meal; Includes snack

From $ 199.95

Scenic Drive, Cultural Show & Shopping

Easy Activity

From $ 54.95

Scenic Drive, Cultural Show & Shopping (Wheelchair Accessible)

Wheelchair Accessible, Easy Activity

Aerial Tram, Butterfly Garden, Sloth Sanctuary & Lunch

Shopping Opportunities, Easy Activity, Includes meal

From $ 164.95

Coffee Plantation, Botanical Garden & Lunch

Coffee, chocolate & sarchi experience.

Moderate Activity

From $ 69.95

Andalusian Horse Show & Countryside

Easy Activity, Includes snack

From $ 119.95

Starbucks Coffee Tour & Oxcart Factory

Moderate Activity, Includes meal

From $ 159.95

Sloth Sanctuary, Botanical Garden, Oxcart Factory & Lunch

Shopping Opportunities, Moderate Activity, Includes meal

Scarlet Macaw Sanctuary, Boat Tour & Country Drive

From $ 109.95

Arenal Volcano And Hot Springs

From $ 169.95

Sabana Adventure

San josé on your own, rainforest canopy zip line & aerial tram combination.

Strenuous Activity

A Walk in the Clouds

Shopping Opportunities, Strenuous Activity, Includes meal

Eco-Jungle River Cruise

Jungle crocodile safari, corobici river-raft float, scenic drive & lunch.

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Puerto Limon serves as a gateway to the capital city of San Jose. Excursions to San Jose usually include visits to the opera house, the crafts village of Moravia and a privately owned ranch. Other excursions here include a ride on the "banana train" to the banana-growing districts and a tour of a tropical flower farm.

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Excursions & Tours

Puntarenas Area Highlights

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges and Butterflies Garden

Waterfall Zip Line Tour

Jungle Buggy and Crocodile Safari

Puntarenas Zipline Canopy & Crocodile Safari

The Real Coffee Tour and Oxcart Factory

Corobici River Floating Wildlife Adventure

Amazing Wildlife and Rainforest Canopy Adventure

Finca Daniel Zip Line Tour

Wagon River Crossing in the Rainforest and Crocodile Safari

Best of Costa Rica

Monteverde Cloud Forest, Hanging Bridges and Coffee Tour

Private Puntarenas Highlights

Private Charming Puntarenas

Private Transfer Puntarenas to San Jose Airport

Private Transfer San Jose Airport to Puntarenas Pier

Shore excursions to puntarenas, costa rica.

On the pacific coast of Costa Rica sits the beautiful port city of Puntarenas, or "sand point." Known for its rich landscape and bountiful wildlife, Puntarenas is a traveler's paradise. Our collection of Puntarenas tours allow you to experience all that Costa Rica has to offer, from cultural journeys to adrenaline-filled adventures. Discover the wondrous wildlife and rainforests of Costa Rica by way of foot, zipline, and riverboat. You may also choose to entertain your senses with trips to haciendas, unique shopping areas, or a coffee and butterfly garden. From a day trip to San Jose to an experience on hanging bridges that overlook the rainforest and natural area, Puntarenas will leave you with memories of paradise for a lifetime.

• Select your tour
• HOW TO GET HERE: maps, driving & mailing address
• BUTTERCUP INN
• General questions
• Visiting the Sanctuary
• “MEET THE SLOTHS” Animal Planet TV
• FEATURED in the MEDIA
• PARTNERSHIP
• RAINFOREST BIODIVERSITY
• RELEASE STORY
• Release: Challenges & Concerns
• Bradypus variegatus
• Choloepus hoffmanni
• Extinct Giant Ground Sloths
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Captive Sloth Biology
• Male Sloth Speculum (colorful fur patch on back)
• Sloth Digestion
• Sloth Metabolism
• Sloth Metabolic Rate
• Sloth Invertebrate Ecosystem
• Wild-Born Sloth Genetic Analysis
• CURRICULUM: Visual Art Activities / Grades K – 8
• CURRICULUM: Language Arts / Grades 1 – 6
• CURRICULUM: Science Activities / Grades 4 – 8
• CURRICULUM: Educator resources
• SUPPORT THE SLOTHS

VISIT DURING YOUR PRINCESS CRUISE

They take care of everything: managing dockside paperwork, getting you here and back comfortably in air conditioned transport and guaranteeing your ship will not leave without you. The cost is higher than booking directly with us, but the value lies allowing travel professionals to make all the arrangements for you.

“ While in Cocles, we chose to visit the Sloth Sanctuary. The tour began with a one hour canoe ride that should be optional as it was very hot and few animals, birds, etc. were out for viewing. The tour itself led by Marcos was very informative and the sloths seemed to be receiving wonderful care. Two and three fingered sloths of all ages were on exhibit.” WTPNorfolk via Tripadvisor.com “ In Costa Rica, we took the Animal Planet recommended tour of the sloth sanctuary. It did not disappoint. The bus ride was not long and we got to see the animals right away. The tour was given in rooms where the sloths were. The guides were informative and passionate about their work. The boat ride in the canal behind the sanctuary was not explained so we just got in the small aluminum boat and paddled away. Our boatman did not speak English so we just drifted along in silence until we encountered wildlife. Fortunately I speak enough Spanish to translate for the others. He pointed out iguanas and then we arrived where the howler monkeys lived. He positioned our boat where we could watch them for a substantial time. We also saw sloths in the wild. It was a great look at the rainforest. Our regular tour guide taught us a great deal about his country and also showed us how banana plantations worked which was a bonus. I found the craft market at the dock the best opportunity for shopping on the trip with genuine crafts, nice vendors and reasonable prices.” lwall8 via cruisecritic.com “ Very hot day so be sure to bring water. We visited the nursery, the adults, did a canoe ride and a jungle walk and … the gift shop. Very strange animals, but completely docile and adorable. We got to see exotic birds as well as frogs.” shamrockace via cruisecritic.com “ The sloth sanctuary was the highlight of the tour. The first stops, at the fruit stand and banana plantation, were boring … But the sloths and the volunteers at the sanctuary were just amazing!” Podie via cruisecritic.com “ We visited the sloth sanctuary where we took a boat ride on a river looking for wildlife. We then got to see the sloths up close and personal, including the babies that were rescued from the jungle when their mothers could not take care of them.” tricia1234 via cruisecritic.com

Our tours regularly receive high ratings through Princess Cruise Lines’ passenger surveys.

“Meet the Sloths” An Animal Planet Exclusive Tour / LIO-235 Approximately 4.5 hours (including transport both ways from the Port of Limón)

“Meet the Sloths: Behind the Scenes” An Animal Planet Exclusive Tour / LIO-230 Approximately 6 hours (including transport both ways from the Port of Limón)

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Welcome to Costa Rica, the most visited nation in Central America, and for good reason. Costa Rica literally means rich coast and the reason for that name becomes apparent immediately upon seeing Costa Rica for the first time. A land with a diverse and lush topography that is steeped in history and culture makes Costa Rica a favorite destination for many. Cruises are a favored way to visit Costa Rica. The ports of call are the  Port of Limon , located on the Caribbean side, and the Port of Caldera (also called Puntarenas by various cruise lines visiting Costa Rica) on the Pacific coast. The cruise lines that service Costa Rica are: Celebrity, Costa, Cunard, Holland America, NCL, Oceania, Paul Gauguin, Princess, Regent Seven Seas, Royal Caribbean, Silverseas, and Voyages of Discovery. Puerto Limon, on the Caribbean, is a popular travel spot for those who love eco-adventure Shore Excursions such as our Puerto Limon Canopy Zip Line and Banana Plantation Excursion . Many Costa Rica Excursions will include activities in protected areas such as sightseeing, visiting waterfalls while on our Puerto Limon Veragua Rainforest Exploration and Aerial Tram Excursion , and numerous water sports both tame and active. Puntarenas, located on the Pacific Coast, is well known for its tropical jungles which are visited on our Puntarenas Rainforest Treetop Skywalk and Sightseeing Excursion , incredible beaches and waves that call out to surfers from around the world. Excursions here will also offer sightseeing and a multitude of water sports and beach breaks: Puntarenas Super Combo Highlights Excursion and our Puntarenas Rainforest Horseback Riding and Aerial Tram Excursion . Whichever port you come into, you are sure to enjoy your visit to this lovely country. Don't be surprised when you realize you are not only having the time of your life, but you are already busily planning your return trip. This is truly a paradise on earth! Enjoy our Costa Rica Excursions and Costa Rica Shore Excursions!