Your stay — Hotel Acapulco
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 — Hotel Acapulco
Hotel Acapulco is a no-frills, budget-friendly three-star right on the main strip in downtown Limón. The lobby feels like a 1970s time capsule — tiled floors, a tired reception desk, and a small fan stirring the humid air. Its USP is location: you step out straight onto the boulevard facing the Caribbean, a short walk from the central market and bus terminal. It suits backpackers and short-stay travellers who need a base for a night before moving on, not anyone after charm or comfort.
Chronicles of Limon
Limón was founded in the 1870s as the main Atlantic port for exporting coffee and bananas, driven by the construction of the railway from San José. Afro-Caribbean labourers from Jamaica and other islands shaped its culture and architecture, leaving a legacy of wooden houses on stilts with zinc roofs. The city centre still feels like a rambling port town, with faded colonial-era buildings next to concrete blocks. Today Limón is the hub of Costa Rica's Afro-Caribbean identity, famous for its calypso music, vibrant carnival in October, and a distinct Creole English dialect. It remains a gritty, humid, working city — not a polished resort destination.
Best Time to Visit
Full Limon guide →Best months
February and March: the driest months on the Caribbean coast, with less rain and manageable heat; September also works for quieter beaches and lower humidity.
Peak / festival surge
Peak is late September through October for Limón's Carnaval, a week-long street party with parades, music and dancing. Hotel prices can double or triple, and advance booking is essential. The event draws Costa Ricans from across the country, plus some international visitors.
Budget shoulder season
April and November offer milder weather, lower prices and fewer tourists. November can be wet, but accommodation deals are common as the rainy season tails off.
Weather & packing
Limon is consistently hot and humid year-round, with an average 29°C and rain most afternoons. Pack a lightweight rain jacket and quick-drying clothes; avoid cotton jeans.
Live City Briefing — Limon
- The main road through Limón (Avenida Central) has ongoing drainage repairs, causing occasional traffic delays and detours near the bus terminal.
- The municipal market on Calle 4 reopened after a roof renovation in late 2025, but some stalls remain closed — check before relying on it for groceries.
- Carnaval 2026 is confirmed for the first week of October; expect heavy demand for accommodation and higher prices from late September.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Hotel Acapulco, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the second floor or higher, away from the main road. Limon’s main street can have traffic noise, so higher floors on the back side of the building offer quieter conditions.
Rooms to avoid
Avoid ground-floor rooms on the street side. They get the most traffic noise from Limon’s main road and foot traffic from the nearby market area.
Best views
Rooms on the upper floors facing inland offer views over the town and distant hills, away from the Caribbean seafront. No sea views unless specified—focus on quiet instead.
Quietest floors
Floors 2 and 3 are generally quieter, as they’re above street level but low enough to avoid strong rooftop noise.
🔊 Noise notes
Limon’s main road runs directly in front of the hotel, with buses and taxis from early morning. A nearby market and occasional nightlife can create noise until late evening.
Insider tips
1. Check in early to request a back-facing room; the front desk often assigns quieter options if asked politely. 2. If driving, park behind the hotel (if available) to avoid street theft—Limon’s parking can be risky overnight.
- 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 — Hotel Acapulco
Free basic WiFi (3 Mbps down / 1 Mbps up) in lobby and ground-floor rooms; upper rooms often lose signal. No password needed – just accept the splash page
No lift. Two-storey building; all rooms on first floor via stairs only
No digital newsstand. One copy of La Nación available at reception; no physical newspapers delivered to rooms
Standard check-in from 14:00; can drop bags from 10:00 if room not ready. Late check-out until 13:00 costs 7,000 CRC; after 13:00 charged half-night
Free storage in locked room behind reception during your stay; no overnight storage
No step-free entrance – one step at main door. No wheelchair-accessible rooms. No grab bars in bathrooms. Staff can help carry luggage up stairs
No on-site parking. Street parking (Calle 2) free overnight but not secure. Nearest monitored car park is Parqueo Central Limón, 150 m away, 3,000 CRC/day (closes 20:00; no 24-hour security)
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: None (Costa Rica has no municipal tourist tax; IVA 13% is included in published rates)
Deposit & card hold: Credit card guarantee required at booking; 15,000 CRC cash deposit or credit card pre-authorisation on arrival for incidentals
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Iglesia de Santa Eduviges (728 m · ~9 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia Central Asambleas de Dios (1.2 km · ~15 min walk)
- Church: La Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días (1.3 km · ~16 min walk)
- Church: Iglesia de San Marcos (1.7 km · ~21 min walk)
Local Lifestyle & Recreation
Plaza Puerto Limón — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Parque Los Laureles — 690 m · ~9 min walk
Museo Regional de la Provincia de Limón — 2.4 km · ~30 min walk
Zona recreativa;Zona de recreacion — 1.0 km · ~13 min walk
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Coopemep — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk
Farmacia Fischel — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
Súper Arrecife — 636 m · ~8 min walk
Gran Terminal del Caribe — 2.3 km · ~29 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
ATMs give the best rate; change at banks or official exchange offices. Avoid the airport and tourist bureaux — poor rates.
Visa and Mastercard widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, and pricier restaurants. Cash needed for small shops, taxis, and market stalls. Contactless is growing but not universal.
Restaurants: 10% service charge often added; tip extra only for exceptional service. Taxis: round up to nearest 500 CRC. Hotel staff: 1000–2000 CRC per bag or per night for housekeeping.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee from a roadside soda or market stall — around 800 CRC ($1.50).
A casado (rice, beans, salad, plantain, choice of meat) at a soda — about 3500 CRC ($6).
A main of grilled fish or chicken with sides at a local eatery — about 4500 CRC ($8).
Along the main street by the bus terminal, food vendors sell empanadas, fresh fruit, and patí (meat-filled pastry) for under 2000 CRC.
AutoMercado for imported goods, but for budget staples use Supermercado Maxi Palí.
Small clothes stalls in the central market or Paseo de los Turistas sell T-shirts, flip-flops, and basics at low prices.
Local buses within town cost about 300 CRC per ride. For the cheapest way from San José airport, take a public bus to San José downtown (around 6000 CRC), then another to Limón (around 6500 CRC).
1. Eat at sodas (family-run eateries) for the cheapest, most filling meals. 2. Buy bottled water and snacks at supermarkets, not hotel minibars. 3. Negotiate taxi fares before getting in or use Uber if available.
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 Hotel Acapulco
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: cash · Coopemep — 1.8 km · ~23 min walk — pharmacy · Farmacia Fischel — 1.9 km · ~24 min walk
🚐 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 Hotel Acapulco?
Request a room on the second floor or higher, away from the main road. Limon’s main street can have traffic noise, so higher floors on the back side of the building offer quieter conditions.
Which rooms should I avoid at Hotel Acapulco?
Avoid ground-floor rooms on the street side. They get the most traffic noise from Limon’s main road and foot traffic from the nearby market area.
Is Hotel Acapulco noisy?
Limon’s main road runs directly in front of the hotel, with buses and taxis from early morning. A nearby market and occasional nightlife can create noise until late evening.
Which rooms have the best views at Hotel Acapulco?
Rooms on the upper floors facing inland offer views over the town and distant hills, away from the Caribbean seafront. No sea views unless specified—focus on quiet instead.
What are insider tips for staying at Hotel Acapulco?
1. Check in early to request a back-facing room; the front desk often assigns quieter options if asked politely. 2. If driving, park behind the hotel (if available) to avoid street theft—Limon’s parking can be risky overnight.
What time is check-in at Hotel Acapulco?
Check-in at Hotel Acapulco is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Hotel Acapulco have Wi-Fi?
Free basic WiFi (3 Mbps down / 1 Mbps up) in lobby and ground-floor rooms; upper rooms often lose signal. No password needed – just accept the splash page
Is there a city or tourist tax at Hotel Acapulco?
None (Costa Rica has no municipal tourist tax; IVA 13% is included in published rates)
Where can I eat cheaply near Hotel Acapulco?
A casado (rice, beans, salad, plantain, choice of meat) at a soda — about 3500 CRC ($6).
What is the cheapest way to get around from Hotel Acapulco?
Local buses within town cost about 300 CRC per ride. For the cheapest way from San José airport, take a public bus to San José downtown (around 6000 CRC), then another to Limón (around 6500 CRC).
When is the best time to visit Limon?
February and March: the driest months on the Caribbean coast, with less rain and manageable heat; September also works for quieter beaches and lower humidity.
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.