One of the country’s main attractions Tortuguero National Park with its innumerous lagoons and canals. Host to more than 100,000 visitors each year, Tortuguero National Park is the fourth most visited national park in Costa Rica. Created in 1975, it teems with wildlife, both aquatic and land-based, including many species of waterfowl and the elusive jaguar. It is also an important nesting site for the endangered green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) and, to a lesser degree, the leatherback, loggerhead and hawksbill turtles.

The park has a network of both natural and man-made canals that connect with a series of rivers and lagoons. These lush waterways can be toured by flat-bottomed boat, kayak or canoe and offer the best opportunity for bird and wildlife watching.

Tortuguero National Park is also comprised of protected beaches and densely vegetated rainforest with a few hiking trails. Each year, primarily from July through October, Tortuguero visitors can join an evening turtle tour to observe some of the thousands of green sea turtles nesting on the beach.

There are 65,711 acres of protected land and 113,014 acres of protected waters in the park. It is contiguous to the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge and together, these two regions form an enormous conservation area that is rich in biodiversity.

The humid rainforest and canals are a paradise for birdwatchers and nature lovers. The best way to see as much wildlife as possible is with an experienced naturalist guide. A three-hour boat tour of the park’s canals costs about $25 with a local guide.

Tortuguero has several attractive lodges that offer packages including meals, lodging, transport to and from San Jose, and tours. Visitors who prefer independent travel can find accommodations in the village at one of the mid-range hotels or budget hostels. Canoes and kayaks can be rented either through a local tour operator or one of the all-inclusive lodges.

Weather:

Average daytime temperature: 87° F
Average night temperature: 69° F

Tortuguero’s annual rainfall averages 175-235 inches. The climate is humid and very hot, with frequent showers. The driest months are February-March and September-October. Visitors should anticipate two types of rain: brief afternoon showers and the long Caribbean drizzle that can last up to two weeks.

Beaches:

The deserted beaches are perfect for strolling, but only between dawn and dusk (5 a.m. to 6 p.m.) from March-October. Strong currents and the occasional presence of bull sharks and stingrays make the ocean unsafe for swimming.

Activities:

Land Activities:

Turtle tours, hiking, and bird and wildlife watching are popular activities. Camping is permitted at the Cuatro Esquinas ranger station, just a few blocks south of Tortuguero village. The cost is $2 per day and potable water and restrooms are available.
Water Activities: Canoeing or kayaking in the canals is a great way to spot wildlife. Sport fishing boats can be chartered in Tortuguero to patrol the canals, river mouths, and Atlantic Ocean. Many fishing captains also travel to nearby Parismina or Barra del Colorado where giant tarpon and snook can be taken all year around.

Flora & Fauna:

Four species of sea turtles – the green, leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead – nest on the beaches of Tortuguero. The green sea turtle comes ashore more frequently than the other three species. More than 2,600 green sea turtles were tagged by the Caribbean Conservation Corporation in 2000, compared to fewer than 100 leatherback turtles.Visitors can participate in evening turtle tours to observe nesting green sea turtles from July through October. These tours can be arranged in the village or with a lodge, but are only permitted with licensed guides.The world’s largest sea turtle, the leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea), nests in Tortuguero from March through June. The beautiful hawksbill turtles (Eretmochelys imbricata) come ashore in even smaller numbers from March through October – August is the peak month.There is an abundance of wildlife and plant diversity in the park’s gallery forests and aquatic trails. More than 400 species of trees, 2,200 species of plants, 375 species of birds, 125 mammal species and 124 species of reptiles are found here. Common sightings include tiger herons, green herons, great blue and little blue herons, toucans, anhingas and egrets.Sloths, basilisk lizards, green iguanas and caimans, as well as howler, spider and white-faced monkeys are common. Although rarely sighted, tapirs, jaguars and manatees are native to the area. Native flora include the hawk tree, crab wood, banak, bully tree and dove wood, as well as aquatic lilies, monkey ladder and wild plantain.

Facilities:

There are three ranger stations located within Tortuguero National Park:

Cuatro Esquinas Station is at the south end of Tortuguero village. This station is accessible by boat from the lodges, or on foot through the village. Cuatro Esquinas is the most visited station and offers a small educational visitor center and park maps.
The Jalova Station, accessible by boat from Parismina, is at the southern boundary of the park. This station has a short hiking trail as well as bathrooms and a picnic area.
The Aguas Frias Station is on the western border of the park. Visitors can arrive here by car, after passing through Guapiles and Cariari.
Trails:

Cuatro Esquinas Ranger Station: Here you will find the El Gavilan trail. It winds between the forest and the beach for 1.2 miles behind the station.  Two other trails nearby, La Ceiba and La Bomba, ascend Cerro de Tortuguero (Tortuguero Hill), but these are officially closed (by MINAE) for restoration.
The Sector Jalova Ranger Station: The El Toucan trail begins at the station and parallels the Cano Negro waterway.
The Aguas Frias Ranger Station: There is a scenic lookout point at the Lomas del Sierpe (1,000 feet), reached by the Los Raudales Nature Trail.
Cerro Tortugero: Cerro Tortuguero, or Tortuguero Hill, is located just a few miles east of Tortuguero village. The 500-foot climb is steep, but the scenic lookout from the top is breathtaking.

It protects a terrestrial area of 18956 hectares and 52265 hectares of marine habitat. Tortuguero (derived from the Spanish word tortuga = turtle) is a one of the most important nesting sites for the Green Sea Turtle, the Leatherback and the Hawksbill Turtle in the whole Caribbean These are best observed between July and September at night.North of the national park, the village of Tortuguero is located on a narrow land strip. To the west side of the village lays the tranquil Tortuguero lagoon; to the east the Atlantic Ocean with strong surf and sharks, so swimming is not recommended here. In the small canals where the bordering vegetation forms amazing tunnels, nature presents itself from the most beautiful tropical side: Caimans, crocodiles, sweet water turtles, poison-arrow frogs, Basilisk lizards, oropendolas, toucans, Anhingas, Amazon kingfishers, bats, howler monkeys and manatees are just a few examples of Tortuguero’s abundant fauna. Tortuguero Village and National Park are accessible by boat only, so individual traveling in this area might become difficult. Most of the lodges are offering complete packages including transportation, meals and a tour program from/to San José. For those traveling on a limited time budget, a domestic flight to the Tortuguero airstrip could be taken into consideration, please let us know we will be happy to assist with your program in this area.