On the Caribbean coast, in the Limón province, it is easy to sense the relaxed and tropical atmosphere that sets this region apart from the rest of Costa Rica. With influences from Jamaican and other island immigrants, you will hear a mix of Spanish, English and Patois, sample unique foods and listen to Reggae music.

The region remains relatively isolated today, as many locations are only accessible via plane, boat, or bumpy gravel roads. Given how much there is to do in the region, stunning beaches, popular national parks and wildlife reserves, the Caribbean coast is surprisingly overlooked, perhaps because it does not offer the same kind of mass tourism found in other regions. Instead, the Caribbean features many small eco-lodges and beach bungalows that afford a unique and authentic stay in this fascinating region. The Caribbean people prefer their “green gold,” as they have the highest percentage of protected natural areas in Costa Rica.