Puerto Limon Cruises, Costa Rica
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It’s claimed Costa Ricans are the happiest people in the world. Take one look at their country, and you’ll see just how much they’ve got to smile about. A blend of rainforests, wildlife and sun-baked sands, it showcases the best of Latin America’s natural beauty. It’s also one of the few places in the world where you can be flying through the jungle on a zip-liner one minute, and riding horseback in the mountains the next.
• The only way to get around Puerto Limon’s Tortuguero National Park is by boat. It’s made up of miles of rainforest, which stretch right up to the Atlantic shores.
• Costa Rica’s sloth sanctuary is spread out over 200 acres, and it gives a great insight into the habits of the creatures. It’s not just sloths, either – monkeys, iguanas and more than 250 species of bird live in the area.
• The Veragua Rainforest is home to the National Institute of Biodiversity, a research and conservation organisation that discovers new wildlife each year. Hike through the vegetation and pay a visit to the centre to learn about what lies in the forest.
SHORE EXCURSIONS View all excursions
Adventure Canal & Veragua Rainforest Experience
If you want a closer look at the exotic Costa Rican wildlife, this is the perfect way to spend a day. To begin with you’ll visit the Tortuguero Canals, a labyrinth of lakes and channels that wind their way through the Tortuguero National Park. The scenery here is nothing short of spectacular. Cue twisting branches overhanging with vines, and bamboo stalks lined up like soldiers along the water’s edge. As you move through the canals, look out for monkeys, toucans and herons. You may even spot a croc or two lurking in the undergrowth. After your water-based tour, you’ll head to the Veragua Rainforest. Here, state-of-the-art aerial trams await you, ready to whisk you high into the air for unspoiled views over the virgin rainforest below. You’ll also get to see it all on foot, with a guided trek through the snake, frog and butterfly exhibitions. These sections are run and protected by the National Institute of Biodiversity, a conservation organisation that discovers new wildlife every year. The tour ends with a behind-the-scenes look at the works of the INBio, and you’ll visit the organisation’s centre to check out some of the latest finds.
Costa Rican Amazons' River Tour
This tour gives you a good look at Costa Rica’s rich wildlife. You’ll visit the Tortuguero Canals – dubbed ‘the Costa Rican Amazon’. This network of lakes and channels runs all the way from the south to the north of the Tortuguero National Park, and the whole area is brimming with wildlife. As you glide through the waters on a two-hour boat ride, your expert guide will point out capuchin monkeys, giant spiders, sloths and iguanas. You might even spot a few crocs lurking in the water. Keep an eye out for birdlife, too – there are over 300 species in these parts, and you can see everything from toucans and jacanas to oropendulas and herons hiding among the greenery. The exotic flora and fauna of the region is another highlight, and you’ll get the inside scoop on the different species and their history. When your boat ride comes to an end, fruits and water are laid on to help you refuel.
Rescue Centre & Boat Ride
Get in touch with your wild side on this trip, with a visit to the Animal Rescue Centre. Here you can get up close and personal with local animals, including wild cats, cheeky monkeys and lazy sloths. Enjoy the amazing photo opportunities with the animals, most of which will eventually be released back into the wild. After your visit to the rescue centre, you’ll sail down the river in a motorboat, stopping to watch riverbank wildlife on the way. Finish off your day with a tour of the animals’ natural habitat in the tropical rainforest, where you can see Mother Nature in all her glory.