Tortuguero National Park, Costa Rica is located on the Caribbean coast and about 50 miles (by air) from San Jose. It is a park where walking is not the best way to get around. The best way to see this interest area is by boat whether it is a canoe or a tour boat. The park is noted for their turtles.
The stepping off point of a tour of the Park is the village of Tortuguero where you can reserve a hotel, find a restaurant and sign up for a narrated tour.
The lagoons and freshwater creeks behind the beaches are home to many species of turtle including the Hawksbill, Leatherback, Green Sea and Carey turtles to name a few. These creeks are also home to Southern River Otters, crustacean and about 50 different species of fish.
While on the boat or canoe you may even see the Spider, Howler and Capuchin Monkeys as well and many species of birds. If you luck is with you, you may spot and endangered West Indian Manatee.
If you are a fisherperson you may want to put a line in the water and attempt to get an Atlantic Snook and Tarpon. This area attracts fisherman form all over the world.
Your guide will point out the Ceiba tree, whose seed are encased if fibers called kapok and is used to make furniture cushions. Also look for the Heliconias plants. Their flowers look like clusters of lobster claws. The hummingbirds love these flowers and help pollinate them.
Enjoy the park. Learn and see something new that you can take home to tell your friends and family about.
Tortuguero National Park directions
The Park is located on the Caribbean coast 52 miles (87 km) northwest of Limon. By air it is 50 miles (83 km) NW of San José, but the road and canal traveling distance between the two is about160 miles (267 km).
Open: 8:00 am – 6:00 pm, and at night with authorized guides and groups.
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