More sloths, canals but now add bananas

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. Capital of Limon Provence. Stretching from Panama to the South and Nicaragua to the North, Limon Provence encompasses the rainiest part of Costa Rica, and also its most geographically diverse. From a mountainous western edge to coconut palm lined beaches.
The small town of Puerto Limon cascades down a small hill to the enhanced port. The wharf area is full of vendors with handicrafts for the cruise passengers. Deeper in the town, the streets were lined with shops featuring items for daily living, with the occasional souvenir shop. In the center of town was the main Mercado, an enclosed shopping area featuring produce, meats, and dairy products. I'm sure my local health department would have shut it down, but the variety of products was mind boggling. Cuts of meat that are never seen in my local Publix, were available; sides of pork, hindquarters of beef, chickens with head and feet still attached.
Up until recently, Puerto Limon, was a major port for the export of bananas. Just a short drive from town vast plantations grow the fruit. The fields are full of canals with banana 'islands' filled with plants. Though bananas love water, they don't want too much. Each plant has three shoots, one will produce a bunch this growing season, then die. It will be chopped off and replaced by the oldest stalk for next year, and a new shoot will be allowed to grow. Since it takes three years to produce, there is a mature, adolescent, and toddler stalk on a plant.
The bananas are covered with a bag to protect it from sunlight and insects, weekly inspection keep the harvesters ready to cut the bunches. After they are moved from the trees, they ride a cable that suspends as on the tree and takes them to processing. There the bananas are sprayed, inspected for animal life, then cut into bunches. Or what the public refers to as bunches, technically the whole unit is a bunch, we purchase a hand which is made up of fingers(individual bananas). After another bath, off to shipping and a grocery near you.
Tortugero National Park is just to the north of Puerto Limon. It is known for the large stretches of beach where sea turtles nest. It also features a system of canals that offer great opportunities for observing wildlife. More sloths, large iguanas, monkeys, and a large variety of birds. Originally the canals were used to transport lumber, but now they are used by sightseeing boats. Don't forget your camera and keep a watchful eye out.
Costa Rica offers an wonderful opportunity to experience nature as it was meant to be. With a high percentage of national parks it leads the way for eco-tourism. It has also become a destination for retirees from the United States. The western coast is more popular destination then the east coast due to the proximity to the volcanoes in the central region. If looking for some intense eco-tourism with volcanoes, rain forests and zip lines, call an agent at Damron Vacations. With their extensive knowledge, planning your trip is a breeze. Who knows, after one visit you may be looking for a retirement villa.