Caribbean Coast Lowlands

Mangrove forests, beaches and coastal swamp forests comprise the Caribbean coast lowlands. Very different than the Pacific coast, which is longer and indented, the Caribbean coast is shorter and relatively smooth. The entire coastal area on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica is part of Limón, the least populated province in the country with a population of 250,000.

Unlike the Pacific coast, about 50% of the Caribbean coast is protected by two national wildlife refuges and national parks. Development has been slower in this region of Costa Rica, and there are many areas that can be reached only by boat or small aircraft.

In place of roads, travellers headed to the northern Caribbean coastal region must make their way