Costa Rica

Limón (Caribbean Coast)

Limón is the lush region along the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. Most tourists here gravitate towards the city of Limón or Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. Below are some of our favorite runs in these areas. For the beach runs, consult this tide chart.

Playa Grande: Tucked between Punta Uva and Punta Manzanillo on the coast north of Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve, Playa Grande is one of the go-to beaches on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast. It’s also a great spot for beach running, with over 3.5 km of sand (one way) across the gentle bay. More adventurous runners can continue along the Manzanillo coastal paths for more mileage on the scenic trails. MAP.

Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve: These coastal paths of the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Reserve can be found at the extreme east end of Playa Grande where a boardwalk bridge enters the jungle. It’s about 5 km from the beach all the way out to . Be cognizant of wildlife and run at your own risk — the paths can be flooded and/or slippery on a wet day. MAP.

256 Road: For an alternative to the beach in Limon, the 256 highway is a fine option. It’s the main road through town, but in this relatively sleepy area, traffic is not much of a concern. Most of the road has a wide shoulder to accommodate parked cars, so runners can carry on safely as long as they pay attention. There are intermittent ocean views in the Puerto Viejo and Playa Cocles areas. The road is about 14 km (one-way) from Playa Negra to Lugar Manzanillo, but runners can choose a section near them for a shorter run. MAP

Puerto Viejo Coastal Path: This short but scenic dirt path along the coast of Puerto Viejo is a nice run on its own or as an addition to another local run. It’s about 1.6 km one-way through a secluded forest, with great ocean views. Makes a good addition to Playa Negra, a black sand beach just on the other side of Puerto Viejo. MAP.

Playa Negra: This unique beach boasts sparkling black sands and over 4.5 km (one way) of runnable sand. The firmness and composition of the beach is can vary, but at low tide this is a spectacular run for its beauty alone. MAP.

Parque Vargas: The city of Limón is a bit clustered and chaotic when it comes to running, but the Parque Vargas waterfront offers a nice respite from the streets. Connect it with Parque Biosaludable Limón for a run of about 2 km one-way. MAP.

Tide Chart - Limón Area

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