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Backpacking the Port City of Limon - Costa Rica

Posted: September 22, 2022

​I spent 3 nights, 2 full days in Cahuita and on my 2nd day there, I backtracked the 43km to the port and former railway town of Limon Costa Rica.
Limon Costa Rica
Limon Costa Rica: Definitely not your typical backpacker destination.  But lately, am finding places with 'nothing' more interesting than the must-see places because there is always something to see (is this a sign that I have arrived at the end of the road?).

It might not be a volcano or an animal park but if you take your head out of whatever guidebook (or blog) you're using and just walk, aimlessly you always come across. 'something'.

So after a hearty desayuno completo (vegan) at Aroma Coffee Bar and Breakfast in Cahuita, Costa Rica
Vegan breakfast at the Aroma Coffee Bar and Breakfast in Cahuita
I took the 9:50 am bus from Cahuita to Limón (1550 CRC).
Cahiuta to Limon bus Mepe transport
Limón is a shipping port and cruise port, though I saw no evidence of any activity. Everything looked pretty derelict. Though when I came into Limón the other day from San José, the last 10km were lined with container storage depots, so I am presuming that Limón does still function as such and it's just not cruise season in the Caribbean at the moment.

Limón was also the end of the line for the Costa Rican Railways which ran from Puntarenas on the Pacific to San José and onto Limón on the Caribbean coast.

So I followed the tracks through town to the old station.

Just a semi-derelict yard with some diesel shutters in various states of decay though one at least does function as I saw it in operation on the day I first came through Limón. Doing what remains a mystery.
Costa Rican railways Limon
Costa Rican railways Limon
Costa Rican railways Limon
Costa Rican railways Limon
Limón, Costa Rica
Visiting Limón, Costa Rica
Visiting Limón Costa Rica
2 blocks from the bus terminal is the rather odd-looking catholic church:
Catholic church in Limón, Costa Rica
Catholic church in Limón, Costa Rica
Catholic church in Limón, Costa Rica
Catholic church in Limón, Costa Rica
Near the Vargas De Limon Park, you'll find Municipal Palace and the old Port Authority.

The Municipal Palace dates from 1942. The facade was designed by José Maria Barrantes Monge, one of the great architects in Costa Rica in the early 20th century.
Municipal Palace in Limon, Costa Rica
Outside is a statue of indigenous hero Pablo Presbere.

Born in 1670, Presbere became the most feared warrior in Talamanca due to his bravery and valour in rebelling against the Spanish invaders in 1709.

The indigenous uprising stemmed from the injustices by the Spanish against the people in the Talamanca region.
Pablo Presbere statue, Limon, Costa Rica
The Port Authority building dates from the 1930s and was used until 1986. The style is Afro-Caribbean.
Port Authority Limon, Costa Rica
Limon in Costa Rica
Previous Post: ​​Free Walking Tour in San José, Costa Rica
Next Post: ​​Border Crossing: Costa Rica to Panama at Sixaola / Guabito

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