I need to be up front about this: it is not fair for me to review any activity anywhere in the country of Costa Rica. It is not fair because no matter what that activity is, I am going to love it. Because I am already happy. Because I’m in Costa Rica. And I adore Costa Rica. I can’t even really describe why, as I lack the words. When asked to do so by a friend, I said:

You know how you vibrate at a certain frequency and different places vibrate at a certain frequency, but those frequencies don’t match up? So wherever you are, there’s always a little friction between you and your surroundings? In Costa Rica, I am vibrating at the exact same frequency as everything around me.

And my friend looked at me funny. And asked if I was high. (I was not high.)

I had forgotten how much I loved Costa Rica, as it has been seven years since I first visited, on a land trip during which we drove from San Jose to La Fortuna to Manuel Antonio. But I remembered how much I love Costa Rica the moment our excursion coach left the port area. You know, because I was vibrating at the correct frequency.

On my port day in Puerto Limon, I chose the Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram and Tortuguero Canal Excursion because it was the longest excursion which involved being in nature and because it included two activities–the rainforest preserve and a boat ride on a canal that is referred to as “the Amazon of Costa Rica”. The tour began with a 50-minute bus ride to Veragua Rainforest Research and Adventure Park. It is only 25 kilometers (so just over 15 miles) but it is a very slow ride, as half of the route is unpaved and mountainous. When we boarded the very nice coach bus at the beginning of the day, I noticed that the bus driver had several photos of Jesus and the Virgin Mary hung up next to his seat. And I thought: that’s nice that he has a little shrine in his cab. Yeah no. I’m assuming he needed Jesus and Mary to pray to while navigating those roads in an enormous bus. I’ve driven on the more-developed Pacific side of Costa Rica and that was harrowing at times–and I was in a Honda Accord. I cannot imagine driving those roads in huge coach bus.

Veragua is not a typical rainforest trek, so don’t think of this as just a place to take a hike. It’s a facility that houses a variety of trails, habitats for various wildlife including a large butterfly enclosure and so many types of frogs, and a small informational center. You have your choice of two tour options–strenuous or easy–and once you choose you will be put into a group and given a guide. The guide will be with you the entire time. I chose the “strenuous” option, which involved walking to a waterfall, which required something like 200 stairs. Unless you have mobility issues, this is not actually strenuous in any way, as the stairs go up first, and then down, and then up some more and so on–meaning it’s not like you are climbing a lot of stairs at once. It’s more like going over low hills on stairs. Those who chose the easy path walked along the river, but did not go to the waterfall.

I was a bit frustrated at first, as we toured various building which housed the frog, snake, and lizard habitats. I came to a rainforest to be outside, and this was not that. But eventually we made our way to the tram, which took us down to the bottom of the mountain where the trails are located. I wish I had been able to walk both trails instead of having lunch, but that was not an option, as it seemed we had to be with our tour guide the whole time. Those touring independent of the cruise excursion did not appear to have these same restrictions.

Lunch was served at the end of this portion of the tour. I cannot comment on it as I did not eat it, but the fresh fruit looked amazing.

We then boarded our bus and made our way back down the mountain and toward town. It was another 50-minute bus ride to our next and final stop; we drove back in the direction of the port for the first 40 minutes, and then another ten minutes on a road heading north. The open air building at the boat dock had a restaurant/seating area, a small gift shop, and large restrooms with flush toilets. We all piled on to a flat, long canal boat and spent the next hour spotting wildlife along the water.

There was a lot of wildlife along the water. However much wildlife you are imagining–more than that. And then double THAT. There were so many sloths and monkeys. There were all types of lizard, many birds, and one crocodile. However, because we were in a boat, it was difficult to impossible to capture any of that wildlife with a phone camera. I regret not bringing my real camera with my long lens. I’ll just be forced to remember the experience of sloth spotting on the water, even without photo evidence.

The canal portion of the tour was a bit different than I imagined, as you’re not actually anywhere near Tortuguero National Park, which is about an hour’s drive north. It is also along a road for most of the way, so at very few points do you feel you are in anything that anyone would describe as “Costa Rica’s Amazon”. But we saw a lot of wildlife and the entire experience felt very Disney World’s Jungle Cruise–but, like, real.

It was a very short ride back to the port from the canal boat dock–maybe ten minutes. Because it was a full day excursion, I did not have time to explore the town of Puerto Limon. I’m sure I’ll remedy that the next time I return to Costa Rica. Because I’m going to return to Costa Rica. You know–because of the vibrations.

Below you will find several of my photos from this excursion, a detailed itinerary of actual travel and activity times, and a short FAQ section which will hopefully answer most questions about this excursion. But if you are considering this excursion and have any additional questions, please ask in the comments. I will always respond.

Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram and the Tortuguero Canal Excursion in Photos

As we approached the coast of Costa Rica I went out on my balcony and thought: well, I’m going to a rainforest. It may as well rain.

But then it stopped raining as soon as I stepped off the ship. This is countryside outside of the town of Puerto Limon.

Honestly, I just love this country so much. It is so green.

I wished I had rented a car, as I adore driving in CR. this is the road to the Veragua Rainforest Preserve; the bus was turning left onto the long and winding road to the actual facility.

The view from the trail at Veragua Rainforest Preserve.

Boarding the aerial tram at Veragua.

Views from the tram.

Approaching the bottom of the hill.

A cool tree along the trail to the waterfall.

Walking down to the waterfall viewing platform.

The waterfall was lovely, but don’t expect an enormous falls. It was small but scenic.

Another mountain view.

The road back down from the preserve.

More countryside.

Part two of the tour: Tortuguero Canal boat ride.

On the canal.

Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram and the Tortuguero Canal Excursion Itinerary

7:30am. Disembark ship and board coach.

8:45am. Arrive at Veragua.

8:45am – 12:15pm. Tour of Veragua, tram, hike, and lunch.

12:15pm. Bus to canal dock.

1:15pm. Tortuguero Canal Cruise.

2:30pm. Return drive to ship.

3:00pm. Back on board.

Veragua Rainforest Aerial Tram and the Tortuguero Canal Excursion Excursion FAQ

Availability of Food: lunch is provided at Veragua and fresh fruit is served after the canal cruise.

Availability of toilets: there are restrooms at the entrance to Veragua, in the butterfly garden building, and at the bottom of the tram. There were also restrooms at the canal dock. All restrooms were large, clean, and had flush toilets (use the provided garbage cans for toilet paper.)

Transportation mode: large, modern coach bus. And canal boat.

Travel times: two 50-minute bus rides and one 10-minute bus ride.

Activity level: moderate yet accessible, depending upon the trail you choose at Veragua.

Could You Do This Independently? 

I’m sure. There were tour vendors right in the port area. You could also rent a car for the day and go to Veragua, as it is open to drive in visitors not associated with tour groups. I’m not sure you’d be able to do the canal tour independently–at least not without planning in advance and joining an existing group, as the boats are large and thus a private tour would be unlikely.