Enjoy an enlightening tour of Puerto Limon as a prelude to a cultural performance and hands-on cooking class. The walking portion of the tour will begin at leafy Parque Vargas, a popular gathering place that overlooks the sea. Be sure to notice Uvita Island just offshore, as it is renowned as the spot where Christopher Columbus landed in 1502 on his fourth and final voyage to the New World. He is credited with naming Costa Rica, which is Spanish for “Rich Coast.” You will also pause to take in the sights at Playa Bonita, a beautiful stretch of sand nearby. A dance performance to live calypso music follows at the House of Culture, after which you will learn to prepare a few signature local dishes. Chances are, they will include a Costa Rican version of rice and beans, a beef-stuffed turnover and a sweet plantain tart. Later, you will snack on your tasty concoctions.

Relax and enjoy your two hour drive to the rainforest and discover this private reserve that is connected to the 2nd largest national park in Costa Rica, Braulio Carrillo National Park. Experience the rainforest as never before! This fascinating open-air gondola ride will give you a bird's-eye view of the most interesting part of the rainforest – the canopy. Your aerial tram will take you into the heart of the rainforest.

The rainforest canopy is teeming with wildlife. You’ll see towering trees, giant ferns, bursts of color and myriad wildlife form part of this natural hanging garden. After your ride, take an optional one hour guided walk through the rainforest, garnering a deeper appreciation from this perspective of this complex environment.

Limon was originally founded as a city to ship bananas to Europe and North America, it is prized for its vibrant Caribbean culture, stunning scenery and intricate waterway systems.

Join us as we explore the region and learn about its history, culture and heritage; drive past quaint villages and fertile plantations on the way to the Pachira Lodge dock where you’ll embark on a cruise to the peaceful Tortuguero Canals a network of natural and man-made waterways; As you cruise the canal in your covered boat, keep your eyes open as you might be able to spot wildlife, such as sloths, howler monkeys, crocodiles and many waterfowl species, participate in a guided walk through the tropical rain forest using a network of above-ground cemented pathways. At the dock, you’ll be served a boxed fruit snack. Afterwards, re-board your transportation for the short drive to the train stop where you’ll depart on an open-air train that made its first trip in 1950 and gave birth to the banana industry. Upon arrival at the stop, you will re-board your transportation and head back to the ship via a scenic coastal road.

OVERVIEW

Float down the Reventazón River on a rafting adventure that will take you through stretches of moderate white water and gentle pools in between. As you drive into the rainforest north of Limon, you will get a sense of the wilderness that comes right to the river’s edge. After a briefing to ensure that you maximize the experience, you will hop into an inflatable raft and head downstream. The expert guide will offer tips on everything from paddling to reading the water to navigating around the river rocks. Your group will be well prepared by the time you approach the easy Class I and somewhat faster Class II rapids. It will take a bit of skill to maneuver downriver, but not so much that you can’t fully enjoy the surroundings. The natural beauty will be breathtaking, even more so if you spot wildlife such as toucans, iguanas and emerald basilisks along the riverbanks.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Raft down a stretch of the Reventazón River that winds through a rainforest.
• Enjoy the thrill of maneuvering through stretches of moderate white water.
• Marvel at the natural beauty, especially while floating in the gently flowing pools.
• Watch for wildlife such as tropical birds and bright green basilisk lizards.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Look for wildlife while cruising the gently flowing canals that wind through Tortuguero National Park and see how chocolate is made from tropical cacao. The canals meander through the park’s low floodplain and the jungle vegetation comes right to the water’s edge, so you will be enveloped in the natural environment. The naturalist guide will point out and describe the incredible biodiversity of flora and fauna. You many spot spider monkeys, river otters and sloths as you glide through the water. If you don’t see howler monkeys, chances are you will hear their cacophonous cries from deep in the forest. Birds such as keel-billed toucans, belted kingfishers and anhingas are but a few of the 300 species of birds that inhabit the park. After disembarking, you will watch a demonstration of chocolate-making and learn how cacao seeds are picked and processed as they are the main ingredient in chocolate.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Cruise the canals that flow through a densely forested national park that borders the sea.
• Look for wildlife ranging from crocodiles to birds, which the naturalist guide will describe.
• Gain an understanding of park’s ecosystems and the diversity of flora and fauna.
• Watch chocolate being made from cacao seeds and shop for chocolate products.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Fly like a bird through the tree canopy of Veragua Rainforest on a series of ziplines and enjoy nonstop thrills and sweeping views of the surrounding wilderness. You will get an idea of what to expect during the orientation, but the actual experience of ziplining high above the forest floor will be beyond description. Once you are harnessed in and step off the first raised wooden platform, your adrenaline will start pumping. It is all downhill from there, as you will zip through the trees at heart-pounding speeds on 12 different ziplines of varying length. You will be treated to a literal bird’s-eye view of the gorgeous landscape below, so don’t blink because it will go by fast. While perched atop the platforms between the ziplines, keep an eye out for wildlife as great numbers of monkeys, sloths and tropical birds inhabit the rainforest. A snack of tropical fruits will be served following the adventure.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Race through a rainforest tree canopy on a dozen ziplines of varying length.
• Feel absolutely exhilarated as you zip through the trees at adrenaline-pumping speeds.
• Look for monkeys, sloths and tropical birds while pausing between ziplines.
• Enjoy a snack of fresh tropical fruits after the ziplining adventure.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at some of the key fruits and plants grown in Costa Rica’s tropical environment and learn the history behind the thriving industry. At the G&E Chocolate Adventure Company, you will see how how cacao is farmed and processed to produce a variety of chocolatey sweets, some of which you will sample. The business is located in a National Heritage building that formerly housed the United Fruit Company, a near-monopoly that once controlled the bulk of the banana trade. For a deeper understanding of the crop, you will pause at a banana plantation on the outskirts of Puerto Limon discover how bananas are still vitally important to the local economy. You will also tour Arco Iris del Caribe, a company that exports ornamental plants internationally. Chances are, you will be amazed by the sheer number of plants, which range from braided crotons to graceful fishtail palms.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Discover how chocolate is made from local cacao and sample a variety of chocolate sweets.
• Stop at a banana plantation and learn how the crop has long fueled Costa Rica’s economy.
• Tour a family-owned business that grows and exports ornamental plants.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Look for indigenous wildlife while walking through Cahuita National Park as a prelude to relaxing on one of its spectacularly scenic beaches. The park's lowland coastal rainforest and coral reefs just offshore are both protected ecosystems where flora and fauna flourish. As you meander along the trails, you may spot vociferous howler monkeys, slow-moving three-toed sloths, and colorful birds such as keel-billed toucans in the fruit-bearing trees. If the weather permits, enjoy a refreshing dip in the Caribbean waters before venturing into Cahuita Village to shop for local goods and continue to a demonstrative banana plantation to gain insight into the fascinating process of banana cultivation.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Walk through Cahuita National Park while our certified naturalist guide describes the flora and fauna.
• Look for monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds in the rainforest canopy.
• Relax on a pristine shoreline stretch of sand within the national park.
• Visit a banana plantation and discover the economic importance of bananas.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Follow a winding trail through a dense rainforest and across sky-walk bridges and then plant a tree to help Costa Rica’s reforestation. A naturalist guide will lead the way through the vibrant tropical ecosystem while describing the wildlife and pointing out highlights. Among them will be three suspension bridges, the highest being about 165 feet above the forest floor. It will be a thrill to walk across and look straight down into the deep ravine below. While meandering through the forest, you might see colorful birds, monkeys in the tree canopy and butterflies flitting about the flowering vegetation. Frogs are plentiful, including the blue-jeans frog. It’s easy to identify because it’s bright red, except from the waist down—which is blue, like it’s wearing jeans. Although Costa Rica fiercely protects its nature, more trees are always welcome. You will have the chance to plant one in a nearby forest reserve.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Walk through a rainforest with a naturalist guide that will describe the flora and fauna.
• Cross several suspension bridges that span densely forested, deep ravines.
• Look for tropical birds, monkeys, frogs and butterflies.
• Plant a tree to help reforest a now-protected reserve.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

This eco-adventure will take you to the 3,400 acre Veragua Rainforest mountain reserve for a gondola ride up through the canopy, then cruise the Tortuguero Canals. Upon arrival at Veragua, you’ll be met by your guide who will lead you through this site of incredible natural beauty. You’ll visit the fascinating world of frogs and insect displays. Take a stroll through the butterfly garden which houses some of the most colorful butterflies in the world!. Board a state-of-the-art aerial gondola for ride through the canopy to the river area below. Take a short walk along the elevated wooden trails and a quick gondola ride back up through the canopy.

A typical lunch will be served and you’ll have time to browse a selection of local handicrafts. Continue with a scenic ride on the way to the pier and board your boat for your cruise along the peaceful Tortuguero Canals. They provide shelter to an abundance of wildlife so keep an eye out and your camera handy. After your river cruise, enjoy fresh fruits, juice and coffee, before returning to Puerto Limon.

A professional naturalist certified guide will introduce you to the most important aspects of the Afro-Caribbean Culture of Costa Rica, and show you the rich wildlife of this fascinating region.

During this tour you will visit: • Moin Lookout point, where the guide will explain the details of the economy of Costa Rica.
• Banana Plantations, from outside the guide will provide you the facts about this fruit, including the crop, harvesting, processing, packing and exportation.
• Bananito Town, where you will see how the people that works at the banana plantations live.
• Fruit Market, you will have the opportunity to visit a small fruit market.

Enjoy the beautiful scenery of Puerto Limon coastline during the bus drive back to the pier.

Experience scenic Costa Rica while touring a rainforest in the Estrella Valley and enjoy a visit to Bocuare Jungle for lunch and a swim. A scenic drive will take you past quaint towns and plantations en route to the rainforest. Join a guided hike to explore this unique ecosystem, cross a lagoon on a hanging bridge, view plantations and other stunning flora. Over 115 different bird species have been spotted here.

You’ll visit the site of an old sugar mill and learn how sugar cane is processed, help in the extraction and sample the sweet results. Board a tractor-pulled wagon to Bocuare and upon arrival you can take a swim or lounge by the pool, enjoy a typical Costa Rican lunch, and browse for souvenirs before returning to the port.