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| TORTUGUERO NATIONAL PARK AND TOWN
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Tortuguero, meaning " place of turtles " is located on the north-east
of Costa Rica on the luxurious Caribbean coast. Geologically, this is a recent
part of the territory, formed by rivers bringing sediments down to the vast Caribbean
plain from the young volcanic mountain ranges. Volcanic activity has raised the
Caribbean coast here, leading to changes in the drainage system. The evergreen
swamp forest is interlaced by tranquil canals, both natural and manmade, and form
the basis for the fascinating exploration possible for nature lovers in Tortuguero.
Lumbering was once an important industry here, and today interesting traces of
the machinery can still be seen. However, these activities ceased with the designation
of the National Park Tortuguero in 1975. This park protects one of the most important
beaches in the world for the egg-laying activities of the second biggest sea turtle
in the world, the Green Turtle. The national park encloses some 20,000 hectares
( 43,000 acre ) of evergreen swamp forest.
A trip to Tortuguero offers a wonderful transect across most of the main geographical
regions of Costa Rica, across the high and mountainous continental divide into
the vast and inaccessible Braulio Carrillo National Park, into the industrious
Caribbean plain with glimpses of banana plantations and agriculture crops. A boat
ride will take you along the different canals and mouths of the various rivers,
bordered by quiet and beautiful forest, until you arrive at the village of Tortuguero.
Searching for toucans, sloths, monkeys and caymans on a small craft in the luxurious
narrows of the area will be the highlight of this unique trip - in fact the Amazon
of Costa Rica!
Your cozy lodge in the village is designed to maximize your enjoyment of the mystical
marvels of the Tortuguero National Park.
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