Veragua Rainforest & Tortuguero Canals Shore Excursion

Watch sloths and monkeys from a covered boat, then walk through rainforest habitats on the same day

This shore excursion from the Limon cruise port combines a self-guided tour of Veragua Rainforest (admission separate) with a one-hour covered boat ride through Tortuguero Canals, where you'll spot sloths, monkeys, iguanas and tropical birds. A professional English-speaking guide meets you outside the port, drives you in an air-conditioned vehicle to each site, and returns you to the ship. The full outing takes 6 to 7 hours and includes the canals boat ride, bottled water, and a brief city tour of Puerto Limon with a viewpoint stop.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Veragua Rainforest and Limon

• Start tour at cruise port
• Visit Veragua Rainforest wildlife attractions
• Ride aerial tram in rainforest
• Boat ride on Tortuguero Canals
• City tour of Limon town
• Stop at local grocery store
• Return to cruise port

The experience

How do you fit two ecosystems into one port day? This excursion stacks them: you start at Veragua Rainforest, where you move through a reptile habitat, butterfly garden, frog habitats, insectarium and biological research station, plus an aerial tram ride through the canopy. The rainforest admission fee (75 USD per adult, 37.50 USD per child, plus 13% tax) is separate from the tour price, so you decide whether to add it at checkout. Your guide meets you right outside the cruise port and handles the transport and timing.

The Tortuguero Canals stretch for one hour on a covered boat, which matters because the Caribbean sun is direct and the boat keeps you dry if the weather shifts. This is where the wildlife shows up: sloths move through branches overhead, howler monkeys call from the trees, iguanas sun themselves on fallen logs, and tropical birds work the water's edge. Your guide points out what to look for and shares facts about the region's ecology as you drift past. The boat ride is included in the tour price, so there's no extra fee when you board.

On the way back to the port, you'll stop at a viewpoint overlooking Puerto Limon and the ship docks: a moment to photograph the town and the water. Your guide talks through the history and culture of Costa Rica's Caribbean province while you're there. There's also a short stop at a local grocery store if you want to pick up Costa Rican coffee or other goods at the prices locals pay. The whole loop ends back at the cruise port with enough time to board before departure.

What’s included

• Professional English-speaking guide.
• air-conditioned vehicle transport from and to the cruise port.
• one-hour covered boat ride on Tortuguero Canals.
• bottled water per person.
• brief guided city tour of Puerto Limon with viewpoint stop.
• optional local grocery store visit.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (13 and older) · Child (3 to 12 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 20

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.Operator's directions: “Meet us outside the port in Puerto Limon, around 150 to 350 meters (160 to 380 yards) from the ship towards the Vargas Park.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 85

Prices and times updated 23 days ago

Good to know

Moderate physical levelNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Relax Day Tours

Is this one for you?Book this if you want rainforest and canals in one outing. The 6–7 hour duration fits a leisurely morning aboard ship or an early return before dinner, but prevents a second port excursion the same day.

Traveler reviews

4.67★★★★★★★★★★

67 verified traveler reviews

5 ★52

4 ★10

3 ★3

2 ★2

1 ★0

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 12 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

Can I skip the Veragua Rainforest and just do the canals?

The tour is built around both sites, so you can't remove the rainforest portion. The admission fee to Veragua is optional and paid separately, so if you choose not to enter the rainforest grounds, you'd still be on the vehicle during that part of the itinerary. Most travelers add the admission to see the habitats and the aerial tram.

How much time do I actually spend on the boat in Tortuguero?

The Tortuguero Canals boat ride is one hour long on a covered boat. This is the main wildlife-watching window, and it's included in the tour price.

What wildlife will I actually see?

Sloths, howler monkeys, iguanas, and tropical birds are the animals your guide will point out on the canals. The rainforest habitats also hold reptiles, frogs, and insects on display, depending on which attractions you visit inside Veragua.

Do I need to book this before my cruise arrives, or can I arrange it when I get to the port?

You should book in advance and provide your ship's arrival details during booking or at least 24 hours before the tour date. This ensures the guide knows when your ship docks and can time the pickup correctly so you're back before departure.

What's included in the tour price, and what costs extra?

The tour price covers the professional English-speaking guide, air-conditioned vehicle transport, the one-hour Tortuguero Canals boat ride, bottled water, and port pickup and drop-off. The Veragua Rainforest admission fee (75 USD per adult, 37.50 USD per child, plus 13% tax) is paid separately at checkout. Lunch and gratuities are not included.