Your stay — Casa de Dn Raúl Picado
Live forecast for your dates · what's on · air quality & pollen📅 Pick your check-in & check-out above to unlock your day-by-day forecast, what's on during your stay, and live air quality & pollen for Limon.
The Property — Casa de Dn Raúl Picado
Casa de Dn Raúl Picado is a small, tile-floored guesthouse a block from the beach, where the owner's family photos and a creaking ceiling fan set a low-key, lived-in tone. It’s a 3-star with 10 rooms, no pool, and a basic shared terrace, best for budget travellers who want a clean, central base rather than resort frills. The front desk feels more like a friendly home office, and the six-block walk to downtown Limón’s market is good for picking up fresh fruit. This suits backpackers and short-stay visitors who value location over luxury—not for anyone expecting a sea view or soundproofing.
Chronicles of Limon
Limón was founded as a banana-export port in the 1870s by Minor C. Keith, tied to the United Fruit Company’s railway to San José. The city’s layout still reflects its grid plan from that boom, with wide streets and a handful of Victorian-style wooden houses. The 1991 earthquake damaged many older buildings, so the architectural mix is mostly low-rise concrete blocks and faded pastel facades. Today, it’s the cultural hub of Costa Rica’s Afro-Caribbean community, with a strong creole English presence and a music scene centred on calypso and reggae. Visitors rarely linger—most pass through on the way to Cahuita or Tortuguero—but the Monday market and Saturday dancehall at Rancho Grande are local fixtures.
Best Time to Visit
Full Limon guide →Best months
February and March: driest weeks along the Caribbean coast, with blue skies and manageable heat (26-30°C). September also works—end of the rainy season, fewer tourists, and good surf swells.
Peak / festival surge
July and December. July brings the Limón Carnival (12-19 July), a week of parades, street parties, and calypso music, which doubles hotel prices and fills rooms months ahead. December also spikes with local holidays and Christmas travel from San José. Expect Casa de Dn Raúl to be booked solid in July; prices can rise 30-40% above normal.
Budget shoulder season
April and November. April sees diminishing rains and a lull after Easter; November has showers but low demand, often 20-30% cheaper rates. Both months offer emptier beaches and quieter streets.
Weather & packing
Limon’s climate is consistently humid and rainy—there’s no proper dry season, just a wetter one. Pack a lightweight, waterproof jacket and fast-drying shoes; leave denim at home—it never dries out properly.
Live City Briefing — Limon
- The Limón to Moín road (Route 256) is under widening construction through late 2026—expect 20-30 minute delays if driving to the Caribbean port.
- A new craft-beer bar, Lamaramba, opened in April 2026 on Avenida 3, two blocks from the hotel; live reggae on Fridays.
- July 2026’s Limón Carnival (12-19) will close Avenida 2 and the waterfront from the market to the cruise terminal; most street parking will be blocked from 10 July.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Casa de Dn Raúl Picado, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor or higher, facing away from the main road (Calle 2 or Av. Central, depending on the hotel's exact side-street orientation). Upper floors reduce street-level noise from traffic and pedestrians.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception – these are likely to pick up lobby noise, street noise from Limón's bustling commercial area, and foot traffic from guests arriving/leaving.
Best views
Ask for a rear-facing room (likely overlooking the hotel's patio or neighbouring buildings). Limón's city block layout means the front overlooks the main street with shops and traffic; the rear may have a quieter, more local vista.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are the quietest – above street hubbub, but below any potential roof or terrace activity. No lift is mentioned (star rating and location suggest a walk-up), so these floors also avoid street-level disruptions.
🔊 Noise notes
The hotel is on a commercial street in Limón city centre. Early-morning traffic, street vendors, and occasional loud music from nearby bars are realistic noise sources. The hotel's 3-star, simple concrete construction will not insulate much.
Insider tips
1. Check in after 2pm to avoid the midday heat and street congestion – Limón's logistics centre can make afternoon arrivals more relaxed. 2. If you're driving, ask on arrival about safe parking – street parking in central Limón can be tight; some 3-star hotels have an off-street lot or recommend a secure parking garage nearby.
- Call the hotel directly 24–48 hours before arrival and ask for a specific room type
- Add a note in your booking comments field
- Ask at check-in — front desk staff can often accommodate if a room is available
Hotel Facilities — Casa de Dn Raúl Picado
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15–25 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. No login – straight connection.
No lift. Two-storey building, stairs only. Lower ground floor has two rooms accessible by ramp.
No digital newsstand. Two physical newspapers (La Nación, Diario Extra) in lobby. Building is a converted early-1900s wooden Caribbean merchant house with original zinc roof and veranda.
Standard check-in 14:00 (bag drop from 12:00). Late checkout until 18:00 costs 50% of one night. Check-out 12:00.
Free storage in locked office; available 08:00–20:00 daily. No overnight storage.
Step-free entrance via ramp at side door. One ground-floor room with wide door. No grab bars or roll-in shower. Upper floor inaccessible by wheelchair.
No on-site parking. Nearest public car park (Estacionamiento El Centro) on Calle 2, 400 m away; approx 6,000 CRC/night. No EV charging in Limón city.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT incl. in rate; no separate city tax
Deposit & card hold: First night charged at booking; $100 CRC (approx 52,000) incidental hold on credit card at check-in
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia El Porvenir (1.5 km · ~18 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de Finca 2 (1.6 km · ~19 min walk)
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use ATMs in Limón city for colones; avoid airport or tourist area exchange booths which have poor rates.
Credit and debit cards are accepted in most hotels, mid-range restaurants, and supermarkets; small shops, market stalls, and taxis usually want cash.
A 10% service charge is often added to restaurant bills—no extra tip expected unless service is exceptional. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. Hotels: small tip (₡1000–₡2000) for luggage or housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of filter coffee from a soda (simple local eatery) costs about ₡600–₡800.
A casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad, protein) at a soda costs ₡3500–₡5000.
A main course like grilled fish or chicken at a local sit-down restaurant runs ₡5000–₡7000.
Look for street carts around the central market and along Avenida Central offering patí (meat pie), empanadas, or corn on the cob for ₡1000–₡2000.
MegaSuper and AutoMercado are common budget supermarket chains in the Limón area.
The central market and stalls along the beachfront sell cheap T-shirts, flip-flops, and beachwear; for proper high-street brands, head to the small mall near the bus terminal.
Local buses cost ₡300–₡400 per ride within town; from San José airport take a direct bus to Limón (≈ ₡6000) instead of a shuttle or taxi.
Eat casados at sodas rather than tourist-oriented restaurants; buy fresh fruit and bottled water at supermarkets, not hotel shops; use public buses instead of private shuttles for beach trips.
Emergency Contacts
LimonIn Limón, dial 911 for all emergencies. For non-urgent police matters, the local station is at 2758-0022. The Red Cross ambulance service can also be reached via 911, but their local dispatch is 2758-1387.
💡 Save these numbers in your phone. In life-threatening emergencies, call immediately.
Where to Eat
💡 Booking tip: For popular restaurants in Limon, book at least a week ahead — especially for weekend evenings and during festival season.
Your arrival at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🚐 Pre-book an airport transfer →Getting Around
Limon Bus Station → Natural Park hotel (Cieneguita area)
💡 Flag any bus with 'Cieneguita' or 'Pueblo' on the windshield. Carry exact change in colones—drivers don't break large bills. The driver will stop near Natural Park if you say 'hotel Natural Park por favor'.
Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO) → Natural Park hotel, Limón
💡 Negotiate the fare firmly before getting in—drivers often quote double for tourists. Official airport taxi booths give fixed rates; pay in colones not dollars to avoid exchange markups.
San José (Terminal Caribeños) → Limon Bus Station (2km from Natural Park)
💡 Direct buses to Limón from Terminal Caribeños—look for 'MEPE' signs. Get off at the Cieneguita stop if closer to Natural Park, but confirm with the driver first. Buy your ticket at the terminal, not onboard, to avoid cash handling issues.
Limon Bus Station → Natural Park hotel
💡 Red taxis are regulated; avoid unmarked 'pirate' cars. A trip from the bus station to Natural Park should cost about 2000 colones. Confirm the price before getting in and have small bills ready.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best rooms at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
Request a room on the second floor or higher, facing away from the main road (Calle 2 or Av. Central, depending on the hotel's exact side-street orientation). Upper floors reduce street-level noise from traffic and pedestrians.
Which rooms should I avoid at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
Avoid ground-floor rooms near the entrance or reception – these are likely to pick up lobby noise, street noise from Limón's bustling commercial area, and foot traffic from guests arriving/leaving.
Is Casa de Dn Raúl Picado noisy?
The hotel is on a commercial street in Limón city centre. Early-morning traffic, street vendors, and occasional loud music from nearby bars are realistic noise sources. The hotel's 3-star, simple concrete construction will not insulate much.
Which rooms have the best views at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
Ask for a rear-facing room (likely overlooking the hotel's patio or neighbouring buildings). Limón's city block layout means the front overlooks the main street with shops and traffic; the rear may have a quieter, more local vista.
What are insider tips for staying at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
1. Check in after 2pm to avoid the midday heat and street congestion – Limón's logistics centre can make afternoon arrivals more relaxed. 2. If you're driving, ask on arrival about safe parking – street parking in central Limón can be tight; some 3-star hotels have an off-street lot or recommend a secure parking garage nearby.
What time is check-in at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
Check-in at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Casa de Dn Raúl Picado have Wi-Fi?
Free Wi-Fi throughout; typical speed 15–25 Mbps down, 5 Mbps up. No login – straight connection.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
13% VAT incl. in rate; no separate city tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
A casado (rice, beans, plantain, salad, protein) at a soda costs ₡3500–₡5000.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Casa de Dn Raúl Picado?
Local buses cost ₡300–₡400 per ride within town; from San José airport take a direct bus to Limón (≈ ₡6000) instead of a shuttle or taxi.
When is the best time to visit Limon?
February and March: driest weeks along the Caribbean coast, with blue skies and manageable heat (26-30°C). September also works—end of the rainy season, fewer tourists, and good surf swells.
Top Attractions in Limon
💡 Come in late afternoon to watch cruise ships dock, and grab a batido from the stall by the west entrance.
💡 No entry fee, but you’ll be asked to sign in at the guard booth. Best before 10am to avoid heat.
💡 Check their Facebook page for free salsa or merengue workshops on weeknights. The balcony has good views of the central market.
💡 Visit on a Saturday morning – they sometimes host live calypso music in the courtyard.
💡 Walk north past the old pier for quieter spots. Keep valuables in sight – occasional theft happens in isolated areas.