Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal
Traveler rating
4.5/5
Based on 57 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal worth booking?
Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal is a 6-hour experience in Limon, Costa Rica, from $175 per person. It scores 68 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Solid Choice”, based on a 4.5/5 rating across 57 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 68 / 100
- Rating
- 4.5/5 (57)
- Duration
- 6 hours
- From
- $175 per person
After pickup at the pier, a short drive will take you deep inside the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. Along the way, our professional tour guide will explain many facts about our country, including history, economy, biodiversity, politics and many other aspects more. Once arrival to Veragua rainforest, get ready for explore a pristine ecosystem. You will stroll along easily accessible trails to the tram. You will then enter an open-air gondola system that will take you through the primary rain forest past 300-year-old trees and down to the riverbank. You will then walk the Trail of the Giants, so named for the huge trees lining the riverbank or op to hike on the Puma Waterfall trail. Ride the tram to the top station and visit the biological research station. After Veragua, visit Tortuguero Canal. The canals that lead to the Tortuguero National Park begin in the Puerto Moin sector, just 5 miles from the center of the Limon province. Here enjoy many wildlife species such as sloths.
What you get
About this experience
After pickup at the pier, a short drive will take you deep inside the tropical rainforest of Costa Rica. Along the way, our professional tour guide will explain many facts about our country, including history, economy, biodiversity, politics and many other aspects more. Once arrival to Veragua rainforest, get ready for explore a pristine ecosystem. You will stroll along easily accessible trails to the tram. You will then enter an open-air gondola system that will take you through the primary rain forest past 300-year-old trees and down to the riverbank. You will then walk the Trail of the Giants, so named for the huge trees lining the riverbank or op to hike on the Puma Waterfall trail. Ride the tram to the top station and visit the biological research station. After Veragua, visit Tortuguero Canal. The canals that lead to the Tortuguero National Park begin in the Puerto Moin sector, just 5 miles from the center of the Limon province. Here enjoy many wildlife species such as sloths.
What's included
Included
- Bottled water
- Rainforest nature walk with guide
- Veragua Rainforest Tram Ride
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- Tortuguero Canal boat tour
- Professional naturalist tour guide
- Fresh tropical fruits snack
Not included
- Lunch
- Alcoholic beverages
What you'll see and do
Puerto Limon
Limón, commonly known as Puerto Limón, is a district, the capital city and main hub of Limón province, as well as of the Limón canton in Costa Rica. It is the seventh largest city in Costa Rica, with a population of over 55,000, and is home of the Afro-Costa Rican community. The pier is located right in front of the city and it is a small town that you can explore easily with a short walk. During our tour, our guide will provide a short city tour where you will be able to learn about its culture, traditions and principal attractions.
30 minutes here
Veragua Rainforest Park
Enjoy a day of discovery and adventure in the Veragua Rainforest mountain reserve, which National Geographic Traveler called “The Cream of the Cream of the Rainforest”. Surrounded by 100% rainforest, the private reserve borders the spectacular La Amistad International Park the largest nature reserve in Central America. You will stroll along easily accessible trails to the tram. You will then enter an open-air gondola system that will take you through the primary rain forest past 300-year-old trees and down to the riverbank. You will then walk the Trail of the Giants, so named for the huge trees lining the riverbank or op to hike on the Puma Waterfall trail. Ride the tram to the top station and visit the biological research station.
120 minutes here · Admission included
Tortuguero Canal
The canals that lead to the Tortuguero National Park begin in the Puerto Moin sector, just 5 miles from the center of the Limon province. This moin sector has small docks for small boats that make the trip along the Caribbean coast, until they reach their final point in Barra de Colorado. This system of natural and artificial canals made by man, are a tourist attraction because it runs through beautiful sectors of forests, small towns and offers a perfect opportunity to admire a large number of wild animals such as monkeys, sloths, iguanas, alligators, waterfowl and many more.
60 minutes here · Admission included
Where it starts and ends
Meeting point
Limon
Main entrance of the port. Main Gate
Hotel pickup
Pickup is available for selected locations. Pickup begins about 15 minutes before departure.
Ends at
Main entrance of the port. Main Gate
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en, es
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 20 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Greenway Nature Day Tours
Know before you go
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 57 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Knowledge and storytelling
3 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Value for money
3 mentionsTravelers feel they got more than they paid for.
Physical effort
3 mentionsExpect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
Pace and timing
2 mentionsSeveral reviewers found the schedule tight or the day long.
Traveler reviews
57 verified traveler reviews for Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Best Excursion Ever
Costa Rica is just the best country. We loved every minute of this excursion which we booked via our cruiseline Princess Cruises. It is about one hour in the coach from the port but we had the most wonderful guide, Wendy, who kept us entertained. The road at times was steep and unpaved and speeds are very slow. But my word is it worth the trip. The Rainforest is magnificent (apart from all the animals which can kill you, the snakes we saw at far too close quarters). From the free coffee the moment we arrived (the best coffee I have ever drunk) to the walk through the forest, all the different houses including a wonderful butterfly house, and even a conservation talk. All the time our hugely knowledgeable guide kept us informed of where we were and what we were seeing. Lunch was provided which was not what we expected. All cooked with local ingredients and eaten in the most amazing cafe with all the sounds of the forest. We would go back there tomorrow, this trip is expensive but worth every penny, the experience is priceless. All this was before we went on the boat through the canals and saw the sloths. Once again Wendy proved to be a fantastic guide. If I could I would give this experience more than five stars it was that good.
Response from the operator: Thank you for taking the time to review us. We're glad you enjoyed our product, and we appreciate your 5 stars review. We're extremely happy that you had a positive experience, and we're grateful for your feedback.
via Tripadvisor
Rainforest Excursion
Very good tour...informative and thorough. Ariel was knowledgeable and personable.
Response from the operator: We are so grateful for your 5-star review. Thanks for sharing your rating with us and the community.
via Tripadvisor
Puerto Limon, is a happy place to live , worth seeing,
Very good landmarks. A peaceful way to live.very authentic, clean air, healthy life, organic vegetables and fruits .. people are friendly, less crimes, nice ocean.. fishing is easy
Response from the operator: We’re delighted to hear you had such a positive experience with us. Your kind words motivate us every day. Thank you for choosing Greenway Nature Tours!
via Viator
Awesome tour of Costa Rica
Areal was a great guide. English was easy to understand, good information and nice pace. Would recommend it whole heartedly.
Response from the operator: We appreciate your outstanding review. Your satisfaction is our priority, and we’re glad you noticed the quality of our service and guides.
via Tripadvisor
Maybe I expected too much but I was disappointed.
We took this from the Limon cruise terminal exit. They were very easy to find, holding up signs and with shirts on immediately when you exited the secured area of the port, but there were many other tour companies there too, so you did have to pick them out. The trip to the rainforest took about an hour. The problem is that the the last 30 minutes going and first 30 returning, were on roads they had to traverse at 2-15 mph. I don't know how the large tour buses managed it in one piece. Maybe it was more comfortable for their passengers but we were in about a 10-12 person van and bumpy doesn't begin to describe it. Typically this is not something I would complain about, but it was just so lengthy and made me kind of carsick. It definitely makes me wonder if the roads to the more distant rainforest parks are as bad. Sure, they are further away, but if you can travel at a higher rate of speed in a whole lot more comfort, it would be well worth it and really might not take any longer. As far as the excursion goes, it was good and our guide was nice, although I've forgotten her name now. The walk from the entrance to the canopy tram was relatively flat and easy. However, there are two trails after exiting the tram. The tour will do each one and you don't have to do either. I'd estimate each being about a 10-15 minute walk if in shape. The one to the falls has 350 steps (vertical, not forward) round trip, going both up and down each way but a little more down heading out, with about the last 30 steps being consecutive to a platform for viewing the falls, which aren't large. They make it sound easier than it is. I'm a 40# overweight 64 year old male who's out of shape. I don't do steps well but can walk on level ground all day. THIS WORE ME OUT! Even though I went at a slower pace than the group and my 70 year old more overweight wife who doesn't do steps well at all followed further behind. We didn't do the last 30 steps which turned out to be a wise decision. My wife headed back before the rest of the group and I followed behind her about 3 minutes later, already tired but figuring I'd easily catch her. Well, I never did! I was truly exhausted and caught her back at the tram station! I was so proud of how well she did!!! I didn't even expect her to go more than 200 feet before turning around and she virtually did the whole thing. At the tram station is where the head of each trail is. After spending a few minutes there, where there is also a nice restroom, the group headed up the other trail. I don't recall any steps on that one with just a slight gain in elevation i'd say, so it was easy. You don't need hiking shoes or shoes that you aren't afraid to get muddy because it isn't dirt and the entire thing may actually be paved. I know most of it is. We did use bug spray and there were a few that tried to bother us but it was essentially nothing. I was disappointed in the tram ride. Part was because it turned out to be a ride from the top of the mountain to the bottom. Yes we were in the tree canopies but I expected it to be longer (it was about 8 minutes each way) and truly through the treetops more eyelevel with the wildlife. That's the other thing. We saw very little wildlife. Maybe I was expecting too much. I hoped to see many colorful birds. Toucans, parrots and so forth flying around, many frogs, sloths, monkeys and so on and hearing the sounds of the animals in the jungle. Guess what the particular sound they pointed out to us was? A cicada. A freaking cicada. And not the sound of thousands of them. Just singular ones. Now we dont have them this time of year in Alabama (well we do but they are dormant underground) but when they hatch for a couple of weeks in the summer, the woods are screaming with the sound of them and they are flying everywhere. At least we saw some monkeys but probably fewer than 10, they pointed out a few small colorful frogs and a few distant sloths. I also expected more colorful flora. It wasn't a great deal of difference than walking through the forest at home in the summer. Yes, it was more dense, but not tremendously so and not a bit more colorful and probably less so. Everything was just different shades of green and there were no dramatic views or scenery. Let's just say that I was happy to have been up close with sloths and monkeys before because we sure weren't here. Also, there were 2 people on the van ride with us that did the zip line tour instead of the tram/hike portion of the tour. The entrance to both are located where they let us out of the van. The canal boat ride was also disappointing. It's a little hard to describe, but you certainly aren't going through the jungle. It's a canal or river very close to the industrial port and it runs right along a busy road although it's separated from it by a few trees. The water is very muddy and it's not scenic whatsoever. However, we did see a few birds, primarily herons and similar types, and were closer to the sloths they spotted, along with some monkeys, so the wildlife portion was better. However, even though promoted as an hour, I don't think we were even in the boat for 30 minutes. Then again, the boast went less than 1 mile upstream before turning around and I'm guessing about 1 mile downstream before turning around. They did turn the boat around and also give people opportunities to step to the open front for everyone to get pictures when the wildlife was seen. All in all, I'm going to give it a 4 out of 5. I'm tempted to give it a 3 but maybe my expectations were too high. However, it can't come close to a 5/5 like the Na'pali coast boat tour on Kauai was. Based on that, I think I will give it a 3, especially since I really would have been almost as happy watching this on a video on my couch as I was actually doing it. I definitely would try a different rainforest or some other type of adventure.
Response from the operator: Thank you for letting us know about your visit. We’re sorry it didn’t fully meet your expectations, and we appreciate the chance to improve. Please accept our apologies for the aspects of the tour that fell short. Your comments have been shared with our team, and we’re committed to doing better. Unfortunately aspects as the road state is totally out of our control. Regarding the trails and steps, Veragua is located in a pristine rainforest, located in an isolated are with minimum impact of human activities. This makes the reserve unique. Unfortunately you visited a real rainforest, not a theme park. We hope you’ll give us another opportunity to provide the exceptional experience we aim for.
via Viator
Good to know
- Duration
- 6 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Hotel pickup
- Available for selected locations
- Booked in 30 days
- 20
- Verdict
- Solid Choice
Who runs this experience
Operated by Greenway Nature Day Tours, who run 27 experiences we rank across 3 cities, with an average Outty Ranking of 58.0.
See everything Greenway Nature Day Tours runsWhy this scores 68
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Limon.
How much does Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal cost?
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Prices start at $175 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Limon usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal take?
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Plan for about 6 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Limon is not rushed.
Is Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 68 out of 100, which we label "Solid Choice". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.5/5 across 57 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable last minute in Limon, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 6-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal?
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Around 20 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Limon can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Limon and add a light layer if any part of the 6-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Limon within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Limon?
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On Outty we rank every Limon experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Full-Day Tour to Cahuita National Park from Puerto Limon, The Sloth and Kayak Tour - Ethical wildlife encounters, Bribri Magic Chocolate and Waterfall Experience. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Limon?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Limon?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal?
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Included: Bottled water; Rainforest nature walk with guide; Veragua Rainforest Tram Ride; In-vehicle air conditioning; and Tortuguero Canal boat tour. Not included: Lunch; and Alcoholic beverages. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered, or you can meet at the start point instead from 3 listed pickup locations in and around Limon. Be ready about 15 minutes before the start time.
What languages is Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal offered in?
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It is offered in English and Spanish. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
Is Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal wheelchair or stroller accessible?
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The operator notes: Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap. If accessibility is critical, contact the operator after booking to confirm arrangements for your date.
What happens to Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Limon Shore Excursion: Veragua Rainforest and Tortuguero Canal?
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Across 57 reviews averaging 4.5 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, knowledge and storytelling, value for money. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works. One thing to know: Expect real walking or climbing: reviewers mention the effort involved.
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