Siquirres, Limón

Ox Cart or Carreta in Siquirres

The small town of Siquirres is located in one of the most accessible regions of Costa Rica - roads here are fairly manageable from San Jose and public transportation is frequent. The lowland town served as an important transportation hub for years as it sits at the intersection of Highway 32, which crosses the Atlantic slope into Puerto Limon, and Highway 10. From San Jose, it will take travelers about three to four hours driving to reach Siquirres.

Siquirres is often overlooked as a tourist destination, but if you're looking for something a bit off of the beaten traveler's path, this picturesque town will be perfect. Anyone looking to escape the common bustle of major hotspots such as Cartago and San Jose will enjoy this remote village.

One of the most exciting attractions in the area is the Banana Tour in nearby Sarapiqui. Visitors here get to experience the bright world of bananas with the Dole Standard Fruit Company of Costa Rica. Visitors will trek along well-maintained trails to view demonstrations of agriculture in action, including harvesting, propping, bagging and packing the fruit. And of course, the tour ends with product samples of freshly picked bananas, fresh coffee and more. Talk about fresh!

Although it may seem like a far trek, Braulio Carrillo National Park can be reached in about an hour because Highway 32 extends all the way to, and through, the park. The highway provides unique access to the rainforest and cloud forests here, allowing the virgin forests to stay lush and pristine yet still accessible. Travelers who want to get entrenched in nature, however, can enjoy one of the park's trails that allows for a closer look.

Map of the Area

Click to enlarge map - Map of the Area

Hiking trails in this park are among some of the most diverse in Costa Rica, offering views of stunning wildlife and flora that varies through different elevations. Located on the eastern edge of the park, the Rain Forest Aerial Tram travels through two levels of the rainforest canopy where you are likely to spot a three-toed sloth or if you are lucky you may see a gorgeous ocelot.

Siquirres is a unique community in Costa Rica, and is the perfect location to get a feel of the true Tico lifestyle. Since it's easily accessible from other major cities and national parks, there's no reason why Siquirres shouldn't make any traveler's agenda.