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La Riviera Hotel
Belen, Costa Rica
Reservations phone:
(506) 2293 0909
How to Get
fax:
(506) 2293 2582
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Tortuguero National
Park
Tortuguero National Park resides just south of the
village by the same name. Accessible either by boat
or plane, this small community has gradually developed
as a direct result of the green turtles annual nesting
process. Infact, this region is the most important
nesting site in the entire western half of the Caribbean
for the green turtle. The leatherback and hawksbill
also nest along these beaches which parallel the inland
canals.
A natural system of canals and navigable lagoons,
of great scenic beauty, cross the park from the southwest
to northwest forming the habitat for seven species
of land turtles, the manatee or sea cow, and the crocodile.
Also, a wide range of crustaceans and some 30 freshwater
species of fish, including the gar, eel and bull shark
inhabit these waterways.
This region of Costa Rica is one of the rainiest and
most biologically diverse regions in the country.
Eleven habitats have been identified within the park,
in addition to several species of trees, i.e. crabwood,
banak, Santa Maria, bully tree and dove wood. Special
Considerations While in Tortuguero, the major portion
of your time will be spent either watching leatherback
turtles or viewing local wildlife along the many inland
canals.
If you are participating in an organized tour, chances
are your lodge will provide the necessary launch and
bilingual guides as part of your tour. These launches
accommodate several dozen people and provide a comfortable,
stable, and safe vehicle from which to view the local
flora and fauna. If you prefer a more quite and more
rugged approach, we recommend that you rent a dugout
canoe from one of several local merchants in the village
of Tortuguero. Your lodge may also provide canoes
or kayaks, if available.If you prefer this approach,
depart either very early in the morning ( 5-6 a.m.
) or late in the afternoon ( 4-6 p.m. ), as the midday
sun is quite overbearing.
As well, the wildlife is much more prolific during
those times; the wildlife tends to retreat under the
forest canopy during the hot, sunny midday sun. Usually
stable and dry, the canoes can accommodate up to 4-6
passengers, and provides an ideal opportunity to get
close and personal with the many monkeys, lizards
and birds along the canals. The slower, quieter canoes
will not disturb the animals as do the larger, engine
powered launches provided by the jungle lodges.
How To Get There
From San Jose, you have three options. First, fly
on a scheduled flight departing San Jose. This flight
provides spectacular views of the mountain range which
separates the Central Valley from the Caribbean coast,
along with a unfamiliar view of the intricate canals
and lagoons of the Tortuguero National Park.Second,
take a public bus from San Jose to Limon and then
take an unscheduled launch from the port of Moin.
Third, participate in an organized tour, which usually
departs San Jose early mornings.
Several tour operators use a port further north than
Moín, which shortens the boat ride significantly.
This port however, is only accessible for those participating
in an organized tour. If you choose visit Tortuguero
via bus and canals, set aside the entire day for your
trip. Direct buses depart hourly from San José
to Limón and take four hours. The taxi ride
from Limón to the port of Moín should
take no more than fifteen minutes of your time. Several
launches use the port of Moin as a departure and arrival
point. While some of the launches are privately hired
by organized tour operators, several are for local
hire.
Local merchants depart throughout the day at unspecified
times. Most will not depart until they have filled
their launches, therefore there is no guarantee that
they will even depart. We recommend that you arrive
as early as possible and get on the first launch to
depart. Prices vary depending on the time of day,
number of passengers and size of the boat. No naturalist
guides are present, nor is food or beverages. Buy
what you need in Limón before departing for
Moín, as the trip normally takes approx. 4-5
hours.If you are participating in an organized tour,
chances are you will not depart from Moin, but further
north; as mentioned earlier.
Tour operators normally provide bilingual naturalist
guides, lunch and beverages, however, there is no
guarantee. If you prefer a slow, narrated trip through
the Torguguero Canals, take an organized tour. Normally,
an experienced tour guide will reveal surrounding
wildlife as with local flora and fauna. Caribbean
Conservation Company (CCC)
The Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) and the
Sea Turtle Survival League (STSL) are working to ensure
the survival of sea turtles through research, education,
advocacy and the protection of the natural habitats
upon which they depend. This site is provided as a
source of information for the world to learn about
sea turtles and the threats to their survival by the
CCC and its STSL program. We hope you enjoy it and
come back often to see our issue updates, research
findings and program additions.
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