Tortuguero Area Information

Translated to English, Tortuguero means “Region of the Turtles”—and although it sounds like Spielberg’s next sci-fi film, it is actually one of Costa Rica’s most intimate tourist destinations. It’s so small that you can walk from one end of the village to the other in five minutes.

A visit to the nearby Tortuguero National Park will reveal over 350 species of birds and mammals, including the endangered green macaws, jaguars, and (true to its name) sea turtles. If you’re brushed up on your wildlife know-how (or at least have a good guidebook) you’ll be able to impress your friends by spotting a drowsy Basilisk Lizard soaking up some sun or an always-elusive Montezuma Oropendula (say that ten times fast!) doing some dazzling aerobics from its perch. Many of the region’s species are endangered and to protect them, park policemen regularly patrol the beaches and forests strictly enforcing their laws. The only things you’ll need protection from are the sun, the bugs, and the rain, so pack accordingly.