Tortuguero National Park is located in the North Caribbean coast of Costa Rica. This National Park is part of the Province of Limon and it is certainly one of this province’s main attractions. This very humid Costa Rica Park has around 31 187 hectares of land and about 52 000 hectares of marine area. The name Tortuguero was given to this park because of the great number of turtles that nest on its shores, especially the Green Turtle (Chelonia mydas). The Green Turtle nests in large numbers during the breeding season, which starts in July and ends around mid-October. Of the eight marine species of turtles to be found in the world, six nest in Costa Rica, and four of those nest in the coasts of Tortuguero National Park. The marine species, Green Turtle, is the one that has been studied the most, and not only in Costa Rica but worldwide. This park is also home to about 60 species of amphibians, 400 bird species, 400 tree species, and a rough approximate of 2200 species of plants.

Tortuguero Park, especially the northern part, has an annual rainfall of around 236 inches; which makes it one of the wettest National Parks to be found in Costa Rica. Actually, there is no Dry Season in the entire Tortuguero area, although it can be said that there is less rain during the months of February, March, and September. The average temperature at Tortuguero is around 79 F; usually hotter than that during midday. The humid climate conditions make wildlife proliferate by the thousands and it helps to keep the entire flora as green as it can be. Actually, Tortuguero contains around half of the bird and reptile species of Costa Rica. The abundance of biodiversity in this evergreen Costa Rica National Park is amazing, and so is the rain. An important recommendation when planning a tour to Tortuguero National Park is to be prepared for rain and embrace it as it is a synonym of abundant and exuberant wildlife. Just make sure to bring a light rain poncho, sandals that don’t slip, an umbrella, insect repellent, and plastic bags to cover your camera equipment.

A guide is necessary to be able to see the turtles nesting in the Tortuguero beach. Turtle watching is done at night and it is allowed from February to November. Camera flashes, video cameras, and flashlights are not allowed as they disturb the nesting turtles and attract predators. Although the best time of the year to watch turtles nesting is during the Green Turtle season; watching Leatherback turtles nest is possible from February to July. Although the latter do not nest in such large numbers as the Green Turtles in Tortuguero, if you are not able to make it during the peak season you will still be able to catch some turtle action during the Leatherback turtle season. The other species of marine turtles from Tortuguero, are the Hawksbill and Loggerhead who usually arrive singly.

Green Turtles are not the only attraction of the green Tortuguero National Park. Three local species of monkeys make their appearance very often; these are the howler, spider, and the white face capuchin. Other species that can be sighted easily throughout Tortuguero, Costa Rica are the sloths, anteaters, and the kinkajous. If you have some luck and a lot of patience you might spot peccaries, tapirs, some members of the cat family, and manatees. Amphibians and reptiles can be seen in great numbers over Tortuguero National Park. Apart from the four species of sea turtles there are seven species of freshwater turtles. Lizards, colorful frogs, hummingbirds, and manakins are easy to spot around the Tortuguero Rainforest.

For accommodations at Tortuguero, Costa Rica there is a number of attractive rainforest lodges. Mawamba Lodge and Laguna Lodge are two recommended lodges in Tortuguero that offer rustic style accommodations with all the comfort you can ask. The rest of the recommended lodges all require a boat ride to get to them, but are equally stunning and pleasant. These lodges, also in the Tortuguero area are: Ilan Ilan Lodge, Jungle Lodge, Pachira Lodge, Caribbean Paradise Eco-Lodge, and Tortuga Lodge & Gardens. Regardless of which of these recommended accommodations you decide to book; inside the secluded and exuberant wet rainforest of Tortuguero, Costa Rica you will are due to find nature embracing you and mesmerizing you at all times. Bottom line, you cannot miss visiting Tortuguero, Costa Rica.