We are on a cruise and will be in Puerto Limon from 6:30 am - 4 and want to know what is the best things to do, what tours are good. I like to see unique things as we tend to only visit islands once.

The same Limon on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica ?

First, Costa Rica is not an island.

I assume the cruise line has a full slate of activities and tours for everyone the moment you get off the ship. I know one that many of the companies offer is a visit to Aviarios del Caribe, a nature and sloth rescue center near Cahuita, about 45 minutes south of Limon. There is also a tour of the Tortuguero canals on the coast north of Limon.

Sorry, yes your right the coast of Costa Rica I was typing and not thinking. Of the two you suggested which would you recommend if a choice of only 1 we are 40.

There is not much to do in Limon. It is a sleepy surf town with a lot of hippie expats walking around. Check out Cahuita- it is a beautiful beach and extremely desolate. You will have it all to yourself.

with a full day I wouldn't mind getting into the jungle or see the turtles how long of a tour for the turtles and do you recommend one

I'd second the Cahuita area, south to Puerto Viejo if you can manage. Cahuita Parque Nacional is a nice area to spend time in. You'll see good wildlife there if monkeys are your thing!

I would recomend the Tortuguero Canals and then possible some shopping outside the port. It isso different there than other parts of Costa Rica and was showery when we were there in December. There is a beautiful park that i wish we had had time to walk through outside the port area. If you do not do a ship excursion be careful we only had 5 minutes and a hair raising ride because we had gone out to do the zip lines with a private driver.
5 martinis later my husband and in-laws started speaking to me again!

Did you go to Limon? I'm going there on a cruise in 2 weeks and am wondering what you decided to do and if you have any recommendations - thanks!

My wife and I were on a cruise in February 2000. When we got to Limon we took the tour to the rainforest for the aerial and then walking tour. Well worth it. On the way back we stopped at a banana plantation and then lunch at a road side restaurant. The tour took 4-5 hours. Check on board the cruise ship to see what tours they have scheduled. We were on Crown Princess. They really do have anything well timed. The following year we got married in Limon. It is true that Limon is not pretty but the market area was quite interesting.

Aviarios Caribe is a touristy nature centertrip on a highway to a compound. They have some cute sloths there that they have rescued when they've fallen out of trees. The Moms don't collect them. There are also lots of birds.

Tortuguero trip is a small power boat up a small river sometimes grown over with water hyacinths. You'll see caiman (like an aligator) monkeys, birds and maybe some turtles depending on when you go. Your destination has no roads only footpaths and a few lodges, a couple of restaurants.

If you can find a trip to Manzanillo I'd take that. It's a fun trip along the East Coast and a beautiful beach at the end. It will give you the best sense of the country.

No beaches on the other two trips.

If the beach trip stops at Cahuita that might be okay too.

That would be my suggestion as well. Get out of Limon and head south! All the way to Manzanillo--great place, very laid back. On the way there and back you'll pass through Cahuita and Puerto Viejo. Either going or returning, try to spend an hour (or more if time allows) in Cahuita Parque Nacional. And also a little time in Puerto Viejo. Avoid the very popular Miss Edith's restaurant in Cahuita, because it will take 2 hours of your time! Although the food is good. . .

Soda Tamara in Puerto Viejo is good as is Bar Maxi/Restaurant Maxi in Manzanillo. Enjoy your day!