About The National Park Of Tortuguero
Article by Terry Philips
Famed for abundant wildlife, national parks, green rainforests and tropical birds, Costa Rica has 28 national parks. With this in mind, the big question on everyones lips is where should they go? A popular option is Tortuguero.
Generally speaking, visiting the park in the rainy season will mean trails are emptier, favouring wildlife spotting opportunities. However, although there is no true dry season, most campers prefer to travel in the drier months of February, March and April.
Tortuguero National Park, named after the many different species of sea turtle that go there to nest between February and October, has become one of Costa Rica’s favoured ecotourism destinations. Hawksbill, loggerhead and Pacific Green turtles nest on the 22 mile stretch of white sandy beach from July to October, while Leatherback turtles, the world’s largest sea turtle, nest between February and July. Leatherback turtles have no hard shell and typically feed off jellyfish, which they find deep in the ocean.
The area, which was originally an archipelago of volcanic islands, has eleven different habitats including high rainforest, littoral woodland, slope forest, swamp forest, holillo forest, herbaceous swamp and herbaceous lagoon. The wildlife is rich and diverse too, being home to more than 300 species of bird, including the green macaw. Many regard Tortuguero National Park as the best place to view these endangered birds within Costa Rica. Typically they mate for life and can reach up to 90cm long. Besides bird life, tapir; ocelots; jaguars; sloths; bulldog bats, which feed on fish; as well as large populations of monkeys can also be seen. Guided walks can be booked through your hotel however the more adventurous can hire a sea kayak to view the wildlife.
You can find the Dr in Tortuguero town. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge and the local visitor centre. The wildlife refuge carries out conservation projects including a turtle-tagging program run by the Caribbean Conservation Corporation.
There are three park stations: Cuatro Esquinas Headquarters, Sector Jalova Station and the Aguas Frias Station. For views across the park and for wildlife there are stations along the trails.
Within the national park there are a variety of hotels including: Turtle Beach Lodge, Mawamba Lodge, Pachira Lodge, Ilan-Ilan Hotel and Manatus Hotel. A stay at one of these hotels includes meals and lodging but the national park entrance fee and guided tours, such as night turtle hatching tours, are an additional cost. There is also the option of camping at the Cuatro Esquinas Headquarters, located in the town of Tortuguero. Tortuguero has no transport links to the town or national park; Moiacute is where they are accessed from by boat;n or small aircraft. Most hotels will include transport from San José that said, the people driving from San Jose;, take the Guapiles highway towards the city of Limón before catching a boat from Moín.
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