Tortuguero is famous as a major site for nesting of four species of sea turtles. Unfortunately it was the wrong time of year to see nesting turtles or the baby turtles hatching and heading to the sea. But there is still plenty of nature to see in this corner of Costa Rica on the Caribbean Sea.
Tortuguero is only accessible by air or by boat. I parked the truck and took the boat about an hour downriver to town for a couple of nights. Stayed at an inexpensive hotel next to the town soccer field and close to the beach. It was fun watching folks playing soccer barefoot in the pouring rain. Good soccer players. Also fun wandering around town. They are pretty serious about their backgammon here.
The national park is mostly low-lying wetlands with a maze of waterways snaking around. On the full day that I spent there I did an early morning kayaking tour. It was a new experience kayaking up small canals looking for birds, lizards, and caimans. Very fun. In the afternoon I went for a nice hike in the forest and on the beach in the national park. The park is supposed to have one of the highest concentrations of jaguars. There are signs everywhere reminding you not to run if you see one. The jaguars are known to eat the large sea turtles when they come ashore to nest. You can find what's left of the sea turtles at places on the beach. At one point I found what I thought were dinosaur tracks on the beach and was wondering if I was at Jurassic Park.
I did not know jaguar ate turtles. Thanks for the education!
Great photos