Thinking about a trip to Limon Costa Rica at the end of the year with two kids. 4 and 6 months. Any tips at all would be appreciated.
Things to do, where to stay, best time to go.
Edit: Now hoping to see both coasts if possible.
Heard the weather is better at different times for each.
Anyone with experience going to both as well?
Thanks!

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As you know, from my experience going away on vacation in Limon is this same as being at home, with a 8 month old and an 11 year old. We did the same thing the following year as well.

Alyssia Requena Yes I know.
I’m looking for recommendations on places to visit there and best time of year to go.

Mieke ah, oops

Alyssia Requena

I spent a couple months in Costa Rica. May I ask why Limon? We drove through there and it was the only time the whole trip where I did NOT feel safe at all. We passed through going to that little tropical town near the boarder of Panama. Viejo I think it’s called.
Anyways, we spent most of our time in Tamarindo - little surf town, pretty touristy but so much to do. Also drove around from Samara ? Ostianol ? And st Teresa. That was fun. We found there to be a lot less bugs on the west coast. East coast was more tropical - was also rainy season there when we went November - January.

Oh and we rented vehicles both times and both times they ripped us off and it took like 8 months to get the charges taken off our cards. It was like $20 a day to rent a car but another $80 for insurance per day
so talk to your insurance provider before you leave if you wanna rent because I think you can actually get insurance or an extension of your own here to use there and you’ll save a ton of money

I stayed in the town of Puerto Viejo like 18 years ago for like 8 months lol.
I also prefer less touristy areas if possible.

I stayed in the town of Puerto Viejo like 18 years ago for like 8 months lol.
I also prefer less touristy areas if possible.

Uuughhh hate hate hate mosquitos.
Someone also mention getting ripped off by the car rental place there

Tamarindo was the most touristy on the west coast but still fantastic. Arenal (?) volcanoes were neat too but incredibly expensive area and very touristy. I really did love the west coast peninsula

Mieke yeah the bugs were awful on the east coast. Regardless where you go bring bug spray cause it’s expensive there. It was pretty there in its own way and there’s cocoa plants and you can learn to make chocolate which was cool. Oh, also there’s a ton of those orb spiders there
and they’re a-holes. Spinning the thickest strongest webs at face height through doors and gates and walk ways.
When we got ripped off for the rentals it was for like $1,800 then the second trip was $600.

Lauren.

Belize would be an option!

We are in Samara love it. Have been travelling by car for a month and returned here for the last of our trip. Great beach for kids lots of nice restaurants. Not so busy like Tamarindo. Costa Rica is expensive.

Are you meaning the Province of Limon? Limon the city is a port town and not safe at all. If you mean the Caribbean side of CR, look at Puerto Viejo, or a few miles further down the coast from PV are nice little beach places like Cocles and Cahuita. If you’re going in December or January you are in their wet season and the ocean will be quite rough. High waves not good for little ones. I would recommend the Pacific side for that time of year. It’s the dry season on the Pacific side. Look at Playa Flamingo, Samara ( safe beach for kids, great little town), or Manuel Antonio

i agree with all your recommendations!

Yes the Province of Limon.
I lived in Puerto Viejo like 18 years ago and I’m sure it’s changed a lot!
Kinda wanted to go back but also wanted to check out the Pacific coast. Looks like I might have to chose a side weather wise....

Yes with kids you would be much better on the Pacific side at that time of year. We were in PV at the end of December once and the waves were huge! Check out Samara. Beach is fantastic for little ones. You would fly into Liberia. Only an hour and a half from the airport by car

100% agree with everything you’ve recommended