All Other Costa Rica Caribbean Region Ports, Costa Rica
Key Caribbean ports in Costa Rica serve as vital gateways for international trade, container transit, and cruise tourism, connecting the country to global markets.
Port Overview
Other Costa Rica Caribbean region ports, aside from the main Limón and Moín terminals, are small and primarily serve local fishing, tourism, and limited cargo operations. These minor ports are located in towns such as Tortuguero, Puerto Viejo, and Cahuita along the northern and southern Caribbean coast. They do not rank among the country’s major commercial ports and have minimal strategic importance for international trade. Their annual TEU capacity is negligible, as they lack container handling infrastructure and mainly support small-scale maritime activities.
Facilities & Infrastructure
The Puerto Limón-Moín port complex serves as Costa Rica's primary Caribbean gateway, functioning as one of Central America's major commercial facilities. The complex features two main cruise piers designed for large vessels, with modern terminal buildings offering air-conditioned waiting areas, tourist information counters, and basic amenities. The port infrastructure includes ducts and pipelines for water, fuel, and power supply, plus telephone lines. Adjacent to the terminal, a small port village provides visitor services including souvenir shops, cafes, and currency exchange facilities for cruise passengers.
Container Terminals
Costa Rica’s Caribbean container terminals outside the main Moín and Limón complex are minimal, with no significant dedicated container terminals elsewhere in the region. Moín Container Terminal, operated by APM Terminals, has one deep-water berth (450 m), 1.2 million TEU annual capacity, and high automation with advanced technology. Puerto Limón has a 450 m container berth, lower automation, and mixed cargo handling. No other major container terminals exist in the Costa Rica Caribbean region.
Port Services
Main services at All Other Costa Rica Caribbean Region Ports include:
- Container handling for import and export cargo.
- General cargo operations including loading and unloading of bulk, breakbulk, and refrigerated goods.
- Ship services such as pilotage, mooring, bunkering, and basic vessel support.
- Warehousing facilities for short-term storage of cargo.
- Customs clearance and inspection services for all cargo types.
Global Connectivity
Other Costa Rica Caribbean region ports, aside from Limón and Moín, are small and primarily serve local or regional needs, including fishing, tourism, and limited cargo. These ports connect coastal communities and support coastal shipping along the Caribbean and to nearby Central American countries. Major shipping routes from the Caribbean region primarily link to North America, Europe, and, via transshipment, to Asia, serving markets in the US, EU, and beyond.
Port Statistics
Costa Rica Caribbean Region Ports (excluding Moín and Limón):
- TEU throughput: Collectively under 100,000 TEU annually (minor share of national volume)
- World ranking: Not ranked among major global container ports
- Number of berths: Typically 1–3 per port (small-scale facilities)
- Area: Port areas range from 5 to 20 hectares
- Shipping lines: Served mainly by regional and feeder lines; limited direct calls from major carriers
These ports primarily handle bulk, general cargo, and limited container traffic, supporting local and regional trade.
