Tortuguero National Park

The 19,000 hectare park contains swamps, lagoons, waterways and rainforest and is bordered by a long, unspoilt straight beach where three species of turtles lay their eggs. Tortuga means turtle and indeed the beaches of the park are a breeding ground for sea turtles. From July to October, the pregnant females of the green sea turtle come ashore here to lay their eggs. A trip through the Tortuguero National Park is one of the most beautiful experiences of a trip through Costa Rica. The park consists of a system of lagoons and waterways (with a total length of 110 km), which are navigated with traditional dugout canoes, but also with larger boats. The park is home to manatees and hundreds of bird species. The ocelot and the jaguar hunt in the inaccessible, humid rainforest. Temperatures around 30 °C and a lot of rainfall have created an exceptionally rich flora, even by Costa Rican standards. Turtles, birds and a boat trip on the jungle-lined waterways are part of a visit to Tortuguero. One of the main channels runs 70 km south from Tortuguero to Moin (near Limon) and from Tortuguero goes 35 km north to Barra del Colorado. The canal is intersected by numerous rivers, tributaries and narrow ditches, which together form the only infrastructure. Before the canals were built in the 1970s, the few inhabitants of Tortuguero had to travel by beach or a long detour by water to Puerto Limón. The canals have become indispensable: canoes and motorboats carry food, building materials and tourists. Most attractions and accommodation are in or near the village of Tortuguero. The hotels on the sea side are very suitable if you come for the turtles, but swimming here is too dangerous. In the village are some souvenir shops and sodas. Going on the beach at night to watch egg-laying green sea turtles is only allowed with a guide. Dark clothing is mandatory and taking photos is prohibited.