Costa Rica Limon

A Welcoming Entryway

The city of Limón sits at the intersection of the global market and Costa Rica's shores, watching 80 percent of the country's commerce pass through its doors every day.
It's the front door for Costa Rica tourists unloading from cruise lines and for businessmen negotiating the shipment of products.
And the people, who live sandwiched between the English-speaking Caribbean and the pura vida of the inland Costa Rica, represent an untapped market for tourism growth.
Although the port town may be struggling today, Goldgewicht brushed his arm over the horizon, “This is Limón Costa Rica,” he said. “Now, close your eyes and start dreaming.”

Costa Rica Limon

Lingering Disbelief

Andrés Shum León sat back in his chair and looked out at the waves rolling in on the shoreline.
He shook his head and said, “I like to think that it's something, but I am not sure it's enough.”
“What about the airport? Or the cell phones? Or the roads?” he asked, not expecting an answer. “I'm not sure if it can really make a difference.”
Shum, the grandson of a Chinese immigrant, grew up in Limón. He left for a time but returned to open a 25-room hotel and restaurant on a cove between Moín and Limón.
“It's not that people here don't want to see change,” Ferguson explained, “It's just that they can't believe it will happen. They've gone for so long without seeing anything improve.”
Shum's hotel, the Cocorí Hotel Bar and Restaurant, which is perched above Playa Bonita, a pristine pocket of coastline just minutes from downtown, caters mainly to traveling businessmen. Although he'd like to attract more tourists, he's not letting his hopes get too high.
“(With the improvements), it's not like everything is going to be OK,” Shum said. “But it's a start.”