If you’re tired of crowded beaches and overrun resort towns, 2026 might be the perfect year to look somewhere a bit quieter. Popular destinations in Central America and the Caribbean can come with high prices, packed shorelines, and overbooked excursions. However, there’s one coastal region that travelers are only now starting to discover. According to a new trend report from travel search engine Skyscanner, Limón, Costa Rica, is the No. 1 trending vacation destination for 2026. The company analyzed worldwide flight searches from January to June 2025 and compared them to the same period in 2024. The results showed that Limón saw a 289% jump in interest compared to the previous year. This spike is nearly three times greater than the second-highest destination on the list, India’s Pink City of Jaipur.
So what is driving all the attention to this under-the-radar location? To start, Limón offers a completely different side of Costa Rica than the well-known Pacific resorts. It sits on the Caribbean coast, with jungle views, miles of sandy beaches lined with coconut trees, and blue waters sheltering coral reefs. Life here is more relaxed than in other regions, like the Central Valley, home to San José, a highly-rated destination in Central America for solo travelers. Prices for lodging and food in Limón also tend to be lower than Costa Rica’s more commercial areas.
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Discover Limón’s beaches, trails, and wildlife
A sloth hanging from a tree branch in the Cahuita National Park – Roger Paris/Shutterstock
When visiting Limón, most travelers base themselves near Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. The town is known for reggae bars, colorful shops, and beachfront shacks serving everything from fresh seafood to jerk chicken. From here, it’s easy to reach Playa Cocles, Playa Negra, and Punta Uva, three scenic beaches surrounded by greenery. Surfing, paddleboarding, and snorkeling are common in the area.
South of Punta Uva is the Gandoca Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge. The refuge consists of a rainforest, mangroves, and lagoons that shelter some of Costa Rica’s most endangered species, including manatees, ocelots, and jaguars. If you hike one of the forested trails, you might spot monkeys overhead, sloths resting on trees, or one of the hundreds of species of tropical birds that live here.
Further north, near Playa Negra, Cahuita National Park offers easy to moderate hiking trails and a chance to see even more wildlife up close. Join a guided snorkeling tour through its protected marine areas that are teeming with vibrant coral reefs and tropical fish. If you have enough time in Limón, also visit the Jaguar Rescue Center. It’s a rehabilitation site that helps injured animals before releasing them back into their natural habitats.
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Read the original article on Islands.