Tortuguero National Park and the Northern Caribbean Coast Travel Guide
Turtles, natural canals and beaches in the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge and Tortuguero National Park
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The northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica runs from the San Juan River, on the border with Nicaragua, to the city of Puerto Limón.
The most famous place to visit here is the Tortuguero National Park, where an abundance of Turtles nest each year, bird watching and fishing are also very popular at the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge.
The whole region is interlaced with a complex system of river channels, which form the main thoroughfares for travel and connect the different communities and reserves. As such, any journey here becomes a wildlife watching trip.
Due to its geologic origins, the region containing the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge and Tortuguero National Park forms an extensive floodplain made up of highly scenic, interconnected canals, waterways and lagoons.
One of the rainiest areas in the country (5,000 to 6,000 millimeters per year), this region is rich in biodiversity. These factors allow visitors to this extensive network of waterways the opportunity to tour and explore this marvelous world by boat, canoe or kayak.
Travelling through the river channels, surrounded by the exquisite greens of the incredible tropical vegetation that are reflected in waters below, is a magical experience and local guides are very helpful in pointing out the wild life that discretely inhabits the area.
One such notably beautiful location is Caño Palma, which links Penitencia Lagoon in Tortuguero with Samay Lagoon in Barra del Colorado. This stunningly beautiful channel is named after the abundance of yolillo palms found all around.
Attractions in Tortuguero National Park and the Northern Caribbean Coast
Tortuguero beach with its strong surf and lush tropical greenery is a great place to hike and take in Tortuguero National Park’s diverse flora and fauna. The park is adjacent to the village, also named Tortuguero, where the beach is located. Four species of sea turtles nest here: green turtles, most numerous, from April to August; leatherback turtles from February to July; hawksbill turtles from April to October; and loggerhead turtles from April to May.
Protected by the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge, the Rio Colorado is a navigable river’s watershed, abundant in breathtakingly beautiful natural places. The Colorado is famous worldwide for its magnificent sport-fishing; tarpon and other fish (bass and mackerel) inhabit its waters. The Barra Del Colorado Beach is suitable for hiking, nature and wildlife watching.
Activities in Tortuguero National Park and the Northern Caribbean Coast
The main activities along the northern Caribbean coastline are related to ecotourism.
Boat trips, wildlife spotting, bird watching and learning about the jungle are key activities, but there are also canopy walks, jungle zip-lines and kayaking available for the more adventurous.
There are some excellent jungle hikes to do in the region and in some cases it may be possible to arrange a visit to a plantation.
Relaxing
Sit back in Tortuguero's Buddah Cafe, listening to chilled-out turns as you gaze out over Tortuguero Beach and the Caribbean Sea. If you pick your time right, the beach can be covered in turtles that are returning to the area to breed.
Getting Around
Boat trips may be taken through the highly interesting and naturally scenic canals of Barra del Colorado and lagoons in the area.
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