Tortuguero
Tortuguero, meaning the “Region of the Turtles”, is one of Costa Rica’s most intimate tourist destinations. It’s so small that you can walk from one end of the village to the other in under five minutes and the wildlife surely outnumbers the human inhabitants. A visit to the nearby Tortuguero National Park will reveal over 350 species of birds and mammals, including the endangered green macaws, jaguars, and (true to its name) sea turtles.
If you’ve brushed up on your wildlife know-how (or at least have a good guidebook) you’ll be able to impress your friends by spotting a drowsy Basilisk Lizard soaking up some sun or an always-elusive Montezuma Oropendola (say that ten times fast!) doing some dazzling aerobics from its perch. Many of the region’s species are endangered and to protect them, park policemen regularly patrol the beaches and forests strictly enforcing their laws. Tourism recently overtook fishing to become the main industry of the region, and thanks to public education programs, the locals realize the conservation is the best path to success for the region.
As the name suggests, the most popular attraction here is the turtle nesting grounds along the Caribbean side of Tortuguero. Visit between September and October, which also coincides with the region’s short dry season, and you will be able to watch the hatching of hundreds of baby turtles, a magical site! Tour guides follow strict regulations at night to assure low density visitation to the nesting grounds, though early morning you can catch a glimpse of the miracle on your own. While the journey from sand to sea is just the beginning of a perilous journey for these tiny creatures, the only things you’ll need protection from are the sun, the bugs, and the rain, so pack accordingly.
Things to Do:
1. Support a good cause
Tortuguero National Park was established in 1970. It’s famous for its resident endangered species such as green macaws, jaguars, and several types of sea turtles. The park is also home to more than 200 species of birds, 111 species of reptiles, 57 species of amphibians, and 60 species of mammals. Some of the exotic wildlife includes keel-billed toucans, poison dart frogs, monkeys, manatees, caimans, and bull sharks. Admission is $7, or purchase a 3-day pass for $10.
2. Become a Sea Turtle extraordinaire!!!
Caribbean Conservation Corporation’s Visitor’s Center and Museum offers short informative videos about the life of the sea turtles as well as flora and fauna. Once you learn the basics, you can go have a look for yourself. While tours are required to see the Green Sea Turtles nesting and laying eggs, no permit is required to walk the beach early mornings. From mid Sept - Late Oct. all the eggs start to hatch and all the baby turtles start their trek back to the sea. If you get to the beach at 5:30 am and just walk quietly and watch carefully you will see the sand explode with new life and be privileged to see one of Natures most amazing sights.
3. Enjoy the Ride
Getting there is part of the fun in Tortuguero. While convenient flights exist, you would be missing out on some great pit stops along the way. On your drive there, stop at the La Selva Biological Station, an important tropical rainforest reserve that receives 13 feet of rain annually and is located just 3km south of Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui. The reserve offers some of the best birdingand wildlife viewing in the country along well maintained trails and was the site of the filming for Jurassic Park.
Many hotel shuttles will also take you to a banana plantation to witness the difficult process of how Costa Rican bananas get to your local grocery store. Once you get to Caño Blanco it is clear sailing on a boat shuttle that will take you through a maze of canals and rivers past the waterfront town of Tortuguero and to your destination. Once there, ask about renting a “cayuco” or “panga” otherwise known as a dugout canoe, or borrow one from your hotel. Hire a Naturalist for a few hours, load the kayaks on a boat and go to one of the very narrow canals where the larger tour boats can’t go. Paddle your way through some of the densest most amazing jungle in the country. These deep channels are teaming with wildlife. Watch the river otters dart around your kayak, too curious to stay away, see birds and monkeys, and maybe if you are lucky catch a glimpse of the elusive ocelot quietly drinking at the edge of the canals.
