Tortuguero: A Vacation Guide to Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast

The incredible beauty of the Tortuguero and its mangroves is something you have to see to believe. Reflections of jungle and sky bounce off the surface of these murky waters, which are simultaneously motionless yet somehow teeming with life. Gliding along Tortuguero’s pristine channels and canals in a kayak is a surefire way to get connected with nature.

Turtle Town
Tortuguero is a colorful town of about 500 residents. It is located on a thin isthmus between the Tortuguero River and the Caribbean Sea, and characterized by brightly painted buildings and pristine streets that are free of cars and pollution. Various downtown restaurants, like Miss Miriam’s, offer typical Caribbean fares like rondon – a thick stew made up of fish, coconut milk, prawns and whatever vegetables can be “run down” on any given day. Artsy shops and stalls of street vendors line Tortuguero’s short main street, making it the perfect place for souvenir shopping and socializing with local townspeople. On weekends, everyone gathers at the soccer field, either to watch or to participate in an exciting match. The dark sand beach of Playa Tortuguero is perfect for long strolls, and is often speckled with baby sea turtles hobbling into the sea at sunrise and sunset.

A Walk on the Wild Side
Tortuguero is home to at least 309 specices of birds, 60 types of amphibians, 110 kinds of reptiles and 60 varieties of mammals. Lazy sloths are commonly seen hanging from the treetops alongside green macaws and keel-billed toucans, while American crocodiles bask next to graceful herons and anhingas stationed on floating logs down below. Canoeing and kayaking are the absolute best ways to explore Tortuguero’s lush waterways, preferably on a guided canal tour. Because paddleboats have no motors, they don’t spook or disturb wildlife – upping your chances for viewing something truly spectacular.

Caribbean Conservation Corporation
Tortuguero’s turtle conservancy center, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation, is a must see. Just a short walk from the town center, this small museum features various bones and specimens the many marine creatures that inhabit the Tortuguero area – particularly the four types of turtles that nest here throughout the year. Green sea turtles, which flock here in astounding numbers between July and October, put Tortuguero on the map as a crucial breeding ground for these endangered reptiles. Enormous leatherback turtles, which can weigh up to 1,500 pounds, nest during March to October – as do hawksbills. Loggerheads lay eggs from June to October.