Butterfly Garden & Tortuguero Canals: A Unique Tropical Adventure
Description
Immerse yourself in a unique experience with our Limón tour, where we stand out for the diversity and authenticity of our stops. In addition to the City Tour, visits to a fruit stand, banana and cocoa plantations, and beach time where you can have lunch, the highlight is our visit to the "Maratopia" butterfly sanctuary and the boat tour through the Tortuguero canals. These experiences provide you with a unique perspective on Costa Rica's rich biodiversity. Our mission is to provide you with a comprehensive and authentic journey that goes beyond the conventional. Join us to discover the true essence of Costa Rica on a tour that stands out for its diversity and cultural richness.
Tour Options
Itinerary
Immerse yourself in the magic of the Costa Rican Caribbean by exploring a butterfly sanctuary specializing in the beautiful morpho butterflies. Get a glimpse into the life of these creatures, from their larval stage to their transformation. There is also the opportunity to encounter turtles, frogs, and sloths. Stroll through tropical gardens teeming with life. Additionally, enjoy a leisurely tour through plantations of banana, pineapple, mango, papaya, and more! Dive into the biodiversity of the Costa Rican Caribbean and discover the fascination of its fauna and flora!
Discover the fresh and vibrant flavors of Costa Rica at a local fruit stand, where you’ll have the chance to taste tropical delights like sweet pineapple, juicy papaya, mini bananas, crispy platanitos, ripe watermelon, and even sip fresh coconut water. Sample tastings of fruit and local coffee are complimentary. If you’d like to try a Caribbean patty or a chilled coconut, they’re available for just $1–$2. Right next to the fruit stand, there’s also a small souvenir shop with handmade crafts and local products. You’ll find great gift ideas, including magnets, wooden carvings, and bags of Costa Rica’s famous high-quality coffee, known worldwide for its smooth flavor and rich aroma.
Explore a local souvenir shop with authentic Costa Rican crafts and enjoy a complimentary tasting of freshly brewed coffee and flavored cacao (like caramelized or cinnamon). When available, a short 15-minute walk through the adjacent garden showcases tropical plants such as pineapple, cacao, cinnamon, ylang ylang, and noni. The highlight is a live demonstration of how a banana plantation processing system works, an engaging look at one of Costa Rica’s most important exports.
One of the top highlights of the tour, this peaceful boat ride takes you through the Tortuguero Canals, often called the "Amazon of Costa Rica" for their rich biodiversity. As you glide along the calm waters surrounded by lush vegetation, your guide will help you spot wildlife such as sloths, howler monkeys, iguanas, caimans, and a wide variety of tropical birds. The boat features a roof, comfortable seats, and life jackets, making it an ideal experience for guests of all ages.
Our final stop is at Playa Bonita, a relaxed and scenic spot where you can unwind by the ocean. Whether you’re in the mood for a tropical smoothie, a cold beer, or a Caribbean cocktail, this is your moment to relax and soak in the view. Feeling hungry? We recommend trying the famous Rice and Beans cooked in coconut milk, or patacones, the crispy green plantain chips beloved across Costa Rica. It’s the perfect ending to a day full of culture, flavor, and discovery.
As we drive through the heart of Puerto Limón, your guide will share engaging stories about the city’s history, culture, and Afro-Caribbean roots. You’ll pass landmarks like Parque Vargas, the lively Municipal Market, the Limon Cathedral, and colorful neighborhoods that reflect the unique rhythm of this coastal city. It’s a panoramic and informative ride that brings the spirit of Limón to life.
Highlights
What's included
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- At time of booking, Cruise ship passengers must provide the following information at time of booking: ship name, docking time, disembarkation time and re-boarding time
- Experience our full-day shore excursion designed exclusively for cruise passengers!
Reviews(6)
Such a great day trip!! Catherine was an awesome guide!! We also got to see monkeys and that made me happy!! We ended up with a little rain but it did not dampen our day!
Thank you so much for your kind words! We’re delighted to hear you had such a great day and that Katherine helped make your experience special. Seeing the monkeys is always a highlight, and we’re glad the rain didn’t stop you from enjoying the adventure. We truly appreciate you choosing to explore Costa Rica with us! 🌴🐒
Everything about this experience was fantastic. The transportation was super comfortable, clean, and on time, with a very friendly driver. We started at the Butterfly Garden, a beautiful and peaceful place full of color and life. Watching the butterflies up close through their different life stages was fascinating, and the area is well maintained and accessible for all types of visitors. Then we went on the boat tour through the Tortuguero canals, and it was absolutely stunning. The nature is unreal, we saw monkeys, birds, caimans, and even 3 sloths 🦥 ! Our guide was one of the best we’ve ever had, super knowledgeable, passionate about his work, and very attentive to everyone in the group. Everything was well organized and ran smoothly. This is a must do experience if you’re in Costa Rica and want to connect with nature in a meaningful way. Highly recommended!
¡Muchas gracias por compartir tan maravillosa reseña! Nos alegra enormemente saber que disfrutaron cada parte de la experiencia —desde el transporte cómodo y puntual, hasta la visita al Jardín de Mariposas y el increíble recorrido por los canales de Tortuguero. Es un verdadero privilegio poder observar tan de cerca la vida silvestre costarricense, ¡y qué suerte haber visto tres perezosos! Transmitiremos sus amables palabras al guía y al conductor, quienes sin duda estarán muy contentos de saber que marcaron la diferencia en su tour. Nuestro objetivo siempre es ofrecer experiencias memorables y bien organizadas, y comentarios como el suyo nos motivan a seguir dando lo mejor. Gracias nuevamente por recomendarnos. ¡Esperamos recibirlos de nuevo muy pronto en otra aventura en Costa Rica! Saludos cordiales
It was very easy to find the company and the guide when we got off the cruise, we started the day very fun thanks to the guide José as he is very nice and has a lot of knowledge, we managed to see many animals like sloths, monkeys, iguanas, basilisks and many birds, he knew how to give us a fun tour and with a lot of information. The car was very clean, had good air conditioning and good internet. Thank you for giving us an excellent tour, it was the best tour of our entire career on the cruise, we left a beautiful memory of Costa Rica.
¡Muchas gracias por compartir su experiencia! Nos alegra saber que José hizo de su tour una experiencia divertida, informativa y llena de avistamientos de animales como perezosos, monos e iguanas. Nos enorgullece ofrecer vehículos cómodos y bien equipados para garantizar que su recorrido sea placentero. Es un honor saber que este fue el mejor tour de su crucero y que se llevan un hermoso recuerdo de Costa Rica. ¡Esperamos recibirlos nuevamente en el futuro! 🌴🐒🦎✨
We ended up being the only two who booked this tour so we had an amazing private tour with Kimberly (guide) and Anita (driver). The tour van was older and a little rough around the edges, but that didn't get in the way of this being one of the best tours I've ever been on. They were both so friendly and Kimberly was extremely knowledgeable about Limon and the places we visited. The butterfly house didn't have many butterflies due to recent heavy rains, but our guide Gabriel more than made up for it by touring the grounds with us and introducing us to the many plants and creatures. We were able to sample various fruits, including a tiny one I have never heard of before. On the canal tour we were able to see sloths (both varieties), howler monkeys, a caiman, and many different birds. Kimberly toured us through the organic plantation, where we also learned about many of the fruits grown in Limon. Be sure to try the roasted cacao beans with coconut, cinnamon, and sugar in the gift shop - so delicious! I would 100% recommend this tour!
Thank you for sharing such a detailed and glowing review of your tour! We're thrilled to hear that Kimberly and Anita made your private tour so special with their warmth and expertise. Even though the van had a bit of character, it’s wonderful that it didn’t detract from your experience and that the tour exceeded your expectations. It sounds like your visit was a perfect mix of nature, culture, and local flavor—from the butterfly house and its fascinating grounds to the wildlife sightings on the canal tour. Sampling fruits and learning about the organic plantation must have added such a unique and immersive touch. And we completely agree—the roasted cacao beans with coconut, cinnamon, and sugar are an absolute treat! We’ll be sure to pass along your kind words to Kimberly, Anita, and Gabriel. They’ll be delighted to know how much you enjoyed your time with them. Thank you for your recommendation, and we hope to welcome you back for another unforgettable adventure in Limon! 🌴✨
We ended up being the only two who booked this tour so we had an amazing private tour with Kimberly (guide) and Anita (driver). The tour van was older and a little rough around the edges, but that didn't get in the way of this being one of the best tours I've ever been on. They were both so friendly and Kimberly was extremely knowledgeable about Limon and the places we visited. The butterfly house didn't have many butterflies due to recent heavy rains, but our guide Gabriel more than made up for it by touring the grounds with us and introducing us to the many plants and creatures. We were able to sample various fruits, including a tiny one I have never heard of before. On the canal tour we were able to see sloths (both varieties), howler monkeys, a caiman, and many different birds. Kimberly toured us through the organic plantation, where we also learned about many of the fruits grown in Limon. Be sure to try the roasted cacao beans with coconut, cinnamon, and sugar in the gift shop - so delicious! I would 100% recommend this tour!
Thank you for your wonderful review! We're so pleased to hear that your private tour with Kimberly and Anita turned into such a memorable experience. Their friendliness and Kimberly’s deep knowledge of Limón truly shine through in your story, and it’s great to know that the older van didn’t detract from your enjoyment. It sounds like the tour offered the perfect mix of education, wildlife, and local flavor. From exploring the butterfly house and sampling exotic fruits to spotting sloths, monkeys, and birds on the canal tour, it’s clear you had an authentic and enriching day. The roasted cacao beans with coconut, cinnamon, and sugar definitely sound like a highlight—what a delicious way to end your visit! We’ll be sure to share your kind words with Kimberly, Anita, and Gabriel—they’ll be thrilled to know their efforts made your tour one of the best you’ve ever experienced. Thank you for recommending us, and we hope to welcome you back for more adventures in the future! 🌴🍫✨
Guide Nicole Exceptional, the best guide in Limón, very informative and careful with everyone, highly recommended for everyone who wants to take your
