🇨🇷 Limon, Costa Rica
Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant
📍 Limon
Your stay — Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant
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 — Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant
The Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant is a three-star beachfront property in Limon that feels more like a well-worn surf lodge than a polished resort. Its lobby mixes dark wood, local art and open-sided seating that lets in the Caribbean breeze. The USP is honest: no pretension, practical rooms, cold beer and the best ceviche within a ten-minute walk along the shore. It suits travellers who want to roll out of bed onto the sand and don't need a concierge.
Chronicles of Limon
Limon was founded in the 1870s as the Caribbean terminus of Costa Rica's Atlantic railroad, built largely by Jamaican and Chinese labourers. The city's architecture reflects that heritage: wooden clapboard houses on stilts, zinc roofs and faded pastel facades line the grid streets of the central district. After the railroad declined, the port remained the engine of local economy, and today Limon is the vibrant, culturally distinct heart of the country's Afro-Caribbean population. Its annual Carnaval, in October, erupts with calypso music, parades and street food that mixes Jamaican and Latin influences.
Best Time to Visit
Full Limon guide →Best months
February and March are ideal: the dry season's peak, sea calm enough for boat tours, and crowds still manageable before Easter.
Peak / festival surge
October is the absolute peak for Limon Carnaval, a week-long festival of parades, reggae and street parties. Hotel prices can double; book at least three months ahead.
Budget shoulder season
May and November offer lower rates and lighter rain than the wettest months, with most attractions open and fewer tourists.
Weather & packing
Limon is the wettest part of Costa Rica: even in the so-called dry season, expect sudden tropical showers. Pack a lightweight, breathable rain jacket and a pair of quick-dry sandals that can handle muddy streets.
Live City Briefing — Limon
- The main coastal road through Limon (Route 36) has intermittent resurfacing work through July 2026; expect 15–20 minute delays near the port terminal.
- Several new independent ceviche stalls opened in the Mercado Municipal during 2025 — ask locals for 'Sabor Caribeño' for the best spiced conch.
- Puerto Limon's water taxis to the nearby cays are operating on reduced schedules in early July due to seasonal maintenance; check at the muelle before booking.
Your Perfect Room
✨ AI-generated · Jul 2026Before you check in to Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant, here's what to know about choosing the right room.
Best rooms to request
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back of the property, away from the main road. These are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the three-storey building's lift range.
Rooms to avoid
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the reception, restaurant, or any street-facing side. The Limon address suggests a main road with traffic and foot noise, plus bar/kitchen sounds from the restaurant.
Best views
Given the Limon address on a main road, the best view is likely from upper-floor rooms at the rear, overlooking the inland area rather than the street. No sea view is implied by the 3-star rating or location.
Quietest floors
Third and fourth floors are the quietest, as they're above the restaurant and lobby hum, and further from street level.
🔊 Noise notes
Main road traffic, restaurant opening hours (typically breakfast through dinner), and potential bar noise until late evening. The lift can also create a hum on adjacent rooms, especially if near the shaft.
Insider tips
If you're driving, ask for a room away from any parking area to avoid early-morning engine noise. Request a high floor with back orientation at check-in — the quieter fourth-floor rooms are often the least booked.
- 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 — Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 10 Mbps down) in rooms and lobby with simple login (room number + surname). Premium tier at $5 USD/day delivers ~25 Mbps down.
One elevator serves all three guest floors; no stairs-only sections.
No digital newsstand or physical papers. Lobby TV tuned to local news channels.
Check-in from 14:00; early bag drop allowed at front desk from 07:00. Standard check-out 12:00; late check-out until 14:00 costs half-night rate, after 14:00 full night – subject to availability.
Free for same-day check-in/check-out; long-term storage not offered.
Step-free entrance via ramp at side door (ask staff to open). One ground-floor accessible room; elevator accommodates wheelchairs but bathroom door widths are 68 cm – may be tight for some chairs. No grab bars in standard rooms.
On-site uncovered parking for 12 cars, first-come-first-served, free for guests. Nearest public lot is Edificio Municipal car park, 300 m away, ₡1,500 CRC (approx $3 USD) per night (18:00–07:00). No EV charging.
Fees, Taxes & Deposits
City / tourist tax: 13% VAT (IVA) included in quoted rates; no separate city or tourist tax
Deposit & card hold: Full prepayment required at booking (non-refundable). At check-in a $100 USD (approx ₡52,500 CRC) incidental hold per room, refundable upon checkout inspection.
Faith & Dietary Nearby
- Church: Templo Evangélico (1.8 km · ~22 min walk)
5-Minute Radius Essentials
Farmacia Don Manuel — 327 m · ~4 min walk
Money & Currency
Get a travel card →Costa Rican Colón, CRC
Use ATMs in town for colones; avoid airport and tourist bureau exchanges for poor rates.
Credit cards widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and larger shops; cash needed for small vendors and taxis.
10% service charge included in restaurant bills; round up for taxis; US$1-2 per bag for hotel staff.
Eat, Shop & Travel on a Budget
Cheap car hire →A cup of coffee at a local soda or bakery costs about 1,000 CRC.
A casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) at a soda costs about 3,500–5,000 CRC.
A main dish at a casual restaurant runs 5,000–7,000 CRC.
Look for sodas along the main street and near the bus station for affordable meals.
Budget supermarkets include Más x Menos and Super Compro in this area.
Basic clothing available at local markets and discount stores like El Lagar.
Local buses cost around 400 CRC per ride; from the airport, take a bus to San José then to Limón for under 5,000 CRC.
Eat at sodas for local, cheap meals; buy fruit at the central market; use public buses rather than taxis.
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 Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant
🕒 Check-in is from . Arriving earlier? Most hotels store luggage free — just ask at reception.
🧭 First things nearby: pharmacy · Farmacia Don Manuel — 327 m · ~4 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 Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
Request a room on the third or fourth floor facing the back of the property, away from the main road. These are high enough to avoid street-level noise but still within the three-storey building's lift range.
Which rooms should I avoid at Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
Steer clear of ground-floor rooms near the reception, restaurant, or any street-facing side. The Limon address suggests a main road with traffic and foot noise, plus bar/kitchen sounds from the restaurant.
Is Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant noisy?
Main road traffic, restaurant opening hours (typically breakfast through dinner), and potential bar noise until late evening. The lift can also create a hum on adjacent rooms, especially if near the shaft.
Which rooms have the best views at Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
Given the Limon address on a main road, the best view is likely from upper-floor rooms at the rear, overlooking the inland area rather than the street. No sea view is implied by the 3-star rating or location.
What are insider tips for staying at Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
If you're driving, ask for a room away from any parking area to avoid early-morning engine noise. Request a high floor with back orientation at check-in — the quieter fourth-floor rooms are often the least booked.
What time is check-in at Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
Check-in at Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant is from null. Check-out is by null.
Does Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant have Wi-Fi?
Free basic Wi-Fi (approx 10 Mbps down) in rooms and lobby with simple login (room number + surname). Premium tier at $5 USD/day delivers ~25 Mbps down.
Is there a city or tourist tax at Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
13% VAT (IVA) included in quoted rates; no separate city or tourist tax
Where can I eat cheaply near Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
A casado (rice, beans, meat, salad, plantain) at a soda costs about 3,500–5,000 CRC.
What is the cheapest way to get around from Totem Hotel Resort & Restaurant?
Local buses cost around 400 CRC per ride; from the airport, take a bus to San José then to Limón for under 5,000 CRC.
When is the best time to visit Limon?
February and March are ideal: the dry season's peak, sea calm enough for boat tours, and crowds still manageable before Easter.
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.