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Tortuguero General Info

Tortuguero National Park

The small village of Tortuguero (translated as "Region of Turtles") lies on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, approximately 50 miles north of the principal Port of Limon. the village is comprised of a variety of cultures: Hispanic, Miskito Indian (Nicaragua), and Afro-Caribbean. Both Spanish and Creole English are spoken. The region surrounding Tortuguero is called the Tortuguero Plain, which is a vast low lying area of little topographic relief still covered by a large expanse of tropical rainforest. Map of the Tortuguero Region.

Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemishpere. Giant leatherback, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles also nest here. The green turtle population is believed to have come perilously close to extinction in the 1960s when nearly every female turtle arriving to nest in Tortuguero was taken for the export market for turtle soup. CCC was established in 1959 specifically to study and protect Caribbean green turtles. Working closely with the Costa Rican government, CCC helped establish Tortuguero National Park in 1970, a move that offered protection to the turtles and strictly limited the number of turtles that could be taken.

With the park established, development along the coast would never stretch much beyond the existing village, and the presence of CCC researchers and park guards would discourage poaching. The park now includes over 19,000 hectares (46,900 acres) and protects 22 miles of nesting beach from the mouth of the Tortuguero River south to Parisimina. The park, and the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge to the north, comprise the largest remaining adjoining tract of lowland wet tropical forest on Costa Rica's Atlantic Coast.

Things to Do:

Apart from the boat tours along the canals of the National Park (or even beyond), you can walk along the pristine beach, or visit the simple Tortuguero village and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation´s visitor center and turtle museum. If energetic, you can also climb the only hill in the area, the short but steep 150m high Cerro Tortuguero, for a great scenic view of the canals and ocean. (But beware a fer de lance usually lying on the path uphill, which apparently the local guides know about!). The canals around the national park, and also the ocean, also provide good fishing.

One of the major world-renowned attractions of the park is turtles, from February to October for several species. The park is the most important hatchery in the western Caribbean for green sea turtles, but 3 other species nest at Tortuguero - hawksbill, loggerhead,and giant leatherback.

We recommend at least 2 nights, preferably 3 nights. Bring insect repellent, sun tan lotion and a light sweater or windbreak. You will need raingear (ponchos, rubber boots, umbrellas etc) but these are almost always provided by the lodge. For tours, or climbing Cerro Tortuguero, a guide is advisable as otherwise you will not spot much wildlife. Your lodge usually provides the guide. You should bring films, although in an emergency these are usually available in Tortuguero village or even in your lodge. All lodges have plenty of boats available for tours, and you can either go on a fixed tour with others, or on a private tour (more expensive). Boats and canoes are also available for rental, with or without local guide, at the village.