Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 17, 2011 in North Pacific Coast | Comments Off on Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

The beautiful beach of Tamarindo is located on the west coast of Guanacaste Province in the North Pacific Coast. This area is very famous for its perfect beaches, clear blue water, and wonderful natural environment and almost ideal weather, make Tamarindo is among the most sought vacation destinations in Costa Rica. Tamarindo is the area’s highly developed tourist township with ample of accommodations to suit every budget. The towns’ population of more than 4,000 people depends on tourism activities. During the past few years, Tamarindo has experienced lot of development. Most of the investments have been made by foreigners who have fallen in love with this area.

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Tambor, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 17, 2011 in Southern Nicoya Peninsula | Comments Off on Tambor, Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Playa Tambor is located in the south of the Nicoya Peninsula in Puntarenas province. The Nicoya Peninsula is packed with beautifully attractive small beach towns, all with the same laid-back sensations and amazing surf. Engulfed by moist greenery with a gorgeous long sandy beach, it sits in Ballena Bay with tranquil aquamarine colored water, ideal for swimming, snorkeling and diving. Tambor is 1.5 kilometer long beach and has a lovely white sandy beach is also perfect for strolling and making your skin tan. It is situated about 20 kilometers south of Paquera and 38 kilometers south of Naranjo between thriving green hills. Playa Tambor, Costa Rica is a well developed town and even has its own domestic serving the entire of the southern region of the Nicoya Peninsula. It is bordered by two rocky platforms to the north and south and protected from Ocean swells that make it an ideal place for swimming, snorkeling and diving. A block buster Fox TV series “Temptation Island 2” was filmed in Tambor.

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Samara Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 17, 2011 in North Pacific Coast | Comments Off on Samara Nicoya Peninsula, Costa Rica

This is a small scenic town of Samara is situated thirty five kilometers south of Nicoya and 245 kilometer west of the San Jose in Guanacaste Province. Samara is a beautiful tropical beach and is one of the safest and most pretty beaches in Costa Rica. Samara has the greatest water sports activities in the whole Costa Rica, deep sea fishing, horseback riding, snorkeling, paragliding, scuba diving, waterfalls and canopy tours.

Samara is an old-fashioned little town, it positioned at the foot of a steep hill. The key road leads straight the town and ends at the beautiful Samara Beach. This beach is a great for a quiet holiday or for a beautiful family vacation. There are several reasonably priced hotels and restaurants are available including the beautiful and luxurious Hotel Punta Islita.

Samara and its nearby vicinity present tourists a best place to calm down and have a good and relaxed time. The visitors can find several kinds of exotic flora and fauna all along the 5 kilometer strip of Samara beach, all along the beach a striking coral reef can be seen that lies just offshore. Samara town has everything from good restaurants, bars, nightclubs to a number of gift shops and a supermarket. This is an excellent place to use as a stopover for the close by national parks and reserves; Samara is perfect place for a calm holiday or a night out on the town. A short boat trip away is the beautiful and remote Isla Chora. Remember, this small town also has its own airfield for small planes.

Samara is a flourishing farming and fishing village is different from others in Costa Rica, as a few of the country’s most important people having homes here, such as president Oscar Arias Sanchez.
You can reach Samara through a four hour drive from San Jose. If you want to reach town quicker, you arrive by plane at the Liberia International Airport and make a two hours drive to Samara, via Nicoya.
Samara is one of the safest beaches for swimming because of its outer coral reef. Come and enjoy this funky beach town where the locals live in harmony with tourists in a natural and colorful place. Samara Beach is the perfect beach destination in combination with a visit to the rainforest or volcano. From Samara Beach you can also visit four other beaches within 20 minutes drive, each one unique in its sand, surf, and surroundings. There are several places to visit around

There are several activities and tours are available in and around Samara Beach, such as:
Barra Honda Caves National Park
Guanacaste Canopy Tour
Ocean Safari Tour
Isla Chora Snorkeling Tour
Diving Samara
Dolphin Tour
Kayak Adventure on the River
Fishing Tour
Sport Fishing
Ostional/Camaronal Refuge
Palo Verde Tour
Kayak Sea adventure Tour

Biking
Biking could be an amazing adventure for the vacationers who wish to find out Samara from a different angle. There are several interesting routs for mountain bike lovers during stay in Samara and Carrillo.

Boat Tours
Boat tours are most famous activities in Samara Carrillo Beach. Boat tours can be personalized and the visitors can select the activities that interest the most: sport fishing, dolphins and turtles watch, snorkeling or diving. You can explore the beach, over the coral reef. You can explore the tropical marine life, play with the dolphins and even sail over to a nearby beach to silently admire the nesting turtles.

Canopy Tours
The Canopy Tour is a distinctive eco-experience that gets you on an unbelievable adventure through the splendid Costa Rican forest.
The canopy tour involves passing through from one platform to another along a steel cable suspended up to 30m above the forest floor. The tour is comprised 12 platforms and 10 cable zip-lines that zigzag down a perfect forested valley. The panorama and birdlife is impressive and expert guides give interesting details about the forest ecology during the tour.

Diving
Discover the wonders of the submarine world into the depth of the Pacific Ocean during your stay in Samara and Carrillo. You will get the knowledge and richness of the bay. You will also be able to see different type of fishes such as Barber fish, Pargos, Reef shark, Mantra Ray, Dolphins and sometime even whales, different kinds of Sharks and Barracudas.
There are many Diving Center in Samara and they provide professional PADI OWS Instructor who has experience in scuba diving.

Scuba Training
Diving is a fun activity; enjoy many great dives to new and exciting places. Once you have completed your basic scuba course you can participate in several exciting types of diving. Turn your diving into an adventure and become an explorer and must try new locations in your own area. Try diving with turtles. Have fun with the dolphins. Your diving will become an endless adventure.

Horseback Riding
Horse riding provides you the chance to experience natural world at its most cherished level. The exotic wildlife comprises monkeys, iguanas and several others attractive things to see. Multicolored flora and fauna can be seen all over the place on the majestic trees while riding through the tropical forest. You will cross rivers, glimpse waterfalls and totally absorb yourself in the nature.
The rides will take you to the forest, down to golden beaches, or a top mountains offering impressive views of the area, the island — Isla Chora — and surrounding hills.

Sport fishing
Sport fishing is a pleasure and is a fun. Costa Rica is the home of the best sport fishing and deep sea fishing in the world, with over 79 world records to its credit.
You will be able to catch Yellow Fin Tuna, Blue Marlin, Black Marlin, Black Fin Tuna, Sailfish, Dolphin, Grouper, Snapper, Roosterfish, Snook, Dorado and more.

Surfing
Have lesson to learn surf in Samara and Carrillo Beach. Or improve your skills and take advantage of excellent breaks for all levels of surfing. There are several surf schools which provide board if you do not carry your own. The beaches here in Samara and Carrillo and nearby beaches are having fabulous surf breaks. The very important thing that you must understand the ocean, it is very important, the more you know about how waves, wind and tides affect conditions in the water, the better able you are to keep yourself safe, or even rescue others, from danger. Recognizing danger signs and awareness of surf conditions is an essential part of lifesaving.
Ask a friend to swim with you, so you can look out for each other’s safety and get help if needed. Children should always be supervised by an adult. Stick your hand up for help – if you get into trouble in the water, stay calm, and raise your arm to signal for help. Float with a current or rip, do not try and swim against it.

You must remember and follow these advices
• Never swim at desert beaches
• Never ever swim at night
• Never swim under the influence of alcohol
• Never run and dive into the water
• Never swim directly after a meal

Samara Beach has wonderful surroundings.
It is 35 minutes from Nicoya, the cultural and business capital of Guanacaste.
It is 45 minutes from Ostional Refuge, famous for the nesting of turtles.
It is 1 hour from Guaitil, an indigenous little town, where you can still witness some of the Indian culture that is left in Guanacaste province. Guaitil is famous for its pottery, and you can buy directly from the artisans.
Also away only with 1 hour from Playa Grande where Baula turtles (1,500 pounds) lay their eggs.
It is 1 hour from Barra Honda National Park with its several caves that you can visit.
It takes 1 hour and 30 minutes from Palo Verde National Park with crocodiles in River Tempisque, and more than 250 species of birds.
It is only 1 hour and 30 minutes from Liberia, the white town rich of history and culture

By Plane – 40 minutes by plane from San Jose, Sansa flies between San Jose’s Juan Santa Maria Airport and Samara / Carrillo every day.
By Bus – A bus leaves daily from San Jose at 12:00 p.m. from the Empresa Alfaro bus station and the trip takes about 5 hours.
By Car –
From San Jose:
Samara is around a Four and half hours drive from San Jose downtown.
From San Jose follow the Inter Americana Highway North, until the turnoff for the Tempisque Bridge – Puente de la Amistad. After crossing the Gulf of Nicoya, drive directly to Nicoya and from there turns south to Samara.
From Liberia:
Samara is about a two hours drive from Liberia International Airport.
From Liberia, drive directly to Nicoya and from there turns south to Samara.

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Puntarenas, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 17, 2011 in Southern Pacific | Comments Off on Puntarenas, Pacific Coast, Costa Rica

The state of Puntarenas stretches along the central and south Pacific Coast of Costa Rica., it is also known as Pearl of the Pacific. It covers 4,350 miles (11.276) kilometers. It is the largest province of Costa Rica, extending from the cloud forest of Monteverde in the north, all the way through the perfect beaches of Jaco, Manual Antonio/Quepos and Dominical, all the way to the secluded beaches of the OSA Peninsula. The major attraction is its Pacific coastline, expanding over 500 miles down to the Panamanian boarder.
This large province provides a variety of beaches, natural reserves and national parks of highly ecological importance, since it is a change over area between the dry tropical lands of Guanacaste and the lush forests of the Central Pacific. It is located about 120 kilometers west of the capital San Jose. It is located in the gulf of Nicoya and has played a very significant rule in the history of Costa Rica. With construction of the new highway, it is just 1.5 hrs from the San Jose Airport to Jaco, making Puntarenas as accessible as it is remote.
The city of Puntarenas and the port of Caldera entertain hundreds of tourists every day, from numerous cruise ships making stopover on its coasts. Several of these ships are traveling with the Panama Canal as destination that permits passengers to discover Costa Rica’s inland, only to meet their cruise ship a few days later at the port of Limon, in the Caribbean. Puntarenas attracts several thousand tourists every year. The visitors are frequently used this place as a central point when traveling around the scores of beautiful beaches and islands in the adjoining areas. The City of Puntarenas, Costa Rica has 14 national parks and reserves and several beaches, more than in any other province of the country. Few are Playa Naranjo, Playa Mal Pais, San Lucas, Cedros and Jesuita. Many national parks and nature reserves are also close at hand, like the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, the Santa Elena Forest Reserve, the Cabo Blanco Reserve, Corcovado National Park, the Carara’s Biological Reserve and the Manuel Antonio National Park. Visiting Puntarenas on the weekend or during local holidays is also an old tradition among Costa Ricans themselves. Puntarenas is an ideal holiday getaway, and several hundreds of real estate deals are available in this tropical paradise.
Puntarenas continues to be one of the most important tourist regions in Costa Rica. A lively and attractive city, one of most interesting features is the Paseo de los Turistas. This is a tree-lined on walkway adjacent to the beach. This area becomes into a vibrant street on weekends, as people from all over gather the popular restaurants, cafes, discos, bars and hotels that are established here. The beach is not safe for swimming because the water tends to be pretty dark, it is still a great place to go around and relax with the local Ticos.

It is definitely significance travel around this city, as there are several beautiful old extraordinary buildings available all over the place and several wonderful restaurants and hotels. Puntarenas also has an attractive old church, which is a must see. During highest tourist seasons, visit the Casa de la Cultura for several exceptional plays and concerts. It is a home of festivals and carnivals, the best time to visit the city is during the Festejos Populares in November, and the Fiesta del Virgin del Mar in July. Every year during the months of February and March, the city becomes active with annual carnival celebrations.
Tourism is an important aspect of the provincial economy. The country’s most popular beach resorts, Puntarenas, Jaco, and Manuel Antonio, and several others are all available in this province, including Dona and Barranca beaches.

There are several hotels, resorts, cabinas and private accommodations in Puntarenas, with lots of facilities and services with bars and restaurants. Some hotels have Casino. The visitors will also find many small inexpensive restaurants, bars, cabinas and gracious locals that make Puntarenas a great destination. Puntarenas has a normal climate and many pleasant places to enjoy.

Enjoy beachfront views, a relaxing tropical atmosphere and outstanding customer service all for a great value at the Best Western Jaco Beach Resort. Located in Costa Rica’s Central Pacific region, this Jaco Beach hotel is minutes away from the fun-filled surfing town of Jaco and a variety of outdoor activities such as tennis, volleyball, horseback riding and kayaking.

The Doubletree Resort by Hilton Costa Rica – Puntarenas is a modern, full-amenity, all-inclusive resort hotel. This beachfront Costa Rica Hilton hotel is perfectly situated on the Central Pacific region outside the port city of Puntarenas, Costa Rica. It is located 50 minutes west of Juan Santa Maria International Airport (SJO) and the Costa Rican capital city of San Jose. The hotel offers the perfect vacation lodging and home-base for exploring the wonders of Central America’s beautiful Costa Rica.

Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort
Recognized by Travel & Leisure magazine readers as one of the “World’s Best”, the Los Suenos Marriott Ocean & Golf Resort is a luxury Costa Rica resort nestled between the warm waters of the Pacific and a 1,100 acre tropical rainforest. A memorable Costa Rica beach resort vacation waits, gliding from tree to tree on a canopy tour or just sitting back and relaxing along our palm lined

This large province carries a variety of beaches, natural reserves and national parks of ecological importance, since it is a change over area between the dry tropical lands of Guanacaste and the lush forests of the Central Pacific, Costa Rica.

National Parks

1- Penas Blancas National Wildlife Refuge
2- Curu National Wildlife Refuge
3- Guayabo, Negritos and Pájaros Biological Reserves
4- Carara Biological Reserve
5- Cabo Blanco Absolute Nature Reserve
6- Manuel Antonio National Park
7- La Amistad International Park
8- Ballena Marine National Park
9- Corcovado National Park
10- Golfito National Wildlife Refuge
11- Cano Island Biological Reserve
12- Cocos Island National Park

Other Point of interest

1) Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve:
Monteverde is well-known for its Cloud Forest reserves and prolific birdlife place in Costa Rica. This very rural, rustic area is perfect for hard-core birdwatchers. Monteverde has grown in popularity because there are few places on Earth with this kind of rainforest still intact. Proper planning is required for a visit to Monteverde. You must hire a 4-wheel drive vehicle, because ALL roads in and out of Monteverde are dirt. If your vacation time is short, only keen hikers and birdwatchers should consider visit to Monteverde. There are few activities that include:

The Canopy Tour – The Canopy Tour near Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve has 11 platforms. This tour is exclusive because you climb up the inside of a strangler fig tree to a platform. The strangler fig is the larger tree. It grows upward around the outside of a host tree and eventually “strangles” it. The host tree eventually dies and decays, leaving the hollow strangler fig. This tour features more rappelling, and was the first Canopy Tour location in the World.

Hiking/bird watching in the Cloud Forest Reserves – This is what Monteverde is famous for. We suggest guided hikes, because guides have the knowledge about the trails and where to get the animals. Early morning hikes are useful as the birds and wildlife are more active. Monkeys, birds, and other mammals can be found at Monteverde. Two-toed sloths like this one are primarily nocturnal. Costa Rica has 5 sloth species divided into two categories: two-toed and three-toed sloths. Sloths are solitary and slow-moving creatures. Because their diet consists of leaves, they have slow metabolic rates and low body temperatures. A sloth will change trees only once every two days on average.

2) Santa Elena Reserve:
In response to the growing numbers of visitors to the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, this reserve was formed in the early 1990’s, just a few kilometers to the northwest along the same mountain chain. The cloud forest habitats are quite similar to that available at the neighboring reserve, as is the associated wildlife, including magnificent Quetzals.
One unique option at the Santa Elena Reserve, if the clouds allow, is to view Arenal Volcano. Even though the active volcano is some 20 kilometers away from this points, it is still an impressive sight on clear days.

The reserve is owned and managed by the Santa Elena Agricultural High School. The tracks were constructed by high school volunteers from the Canadian Youth Challenge organization. To reach here, take the dirt road out of Santa Elena towards Tilaran and stand right at the first junction beyond the soccer field. Four-wheel is necessary during the rainy months from February to May.

3) Robert & Catherine Wilson Botanical Garden (San Vito):
This Botanical garden was started during 1963 by its namesakes and sections were landscaped by the famed Brazilian landscape architect, Roberto Burle-Marx. Presently it is owned and controlled by the Organization for Tropical Studies, The Wilson tried to grow tea on the property, but coffee was an established crop in the region, local people were not interested in the alternative crop.
The Wilson’s’ affection for certain plant families reveals itself in the large collection of palms, bromeliads, heliconias, marantas, aroids, and ferns collected through the years on the 10 hectares of cultivated area. An adjoining 145-hectare tract of premontane wet forest, the largest remaining patch in the region, adds to the garden’s attractiveness. Over 220 bird species, 80 mammal species and 71 species of reptiles and amphibians have been recognized on the property.

It is about 1,000 meters above sea level, the temperatures in the garden are warm during the and evenings are cool. The area gets an average of four meters of rain per year, generally during May to November. The garden is 5.6 kilometers from San Vito. To reach here from the town of San Vito, drive south to the village of Agua Buena. Meals and lodging are available at the gardens.

4) Gulf of Nicoya:
This extensive bay of sea water is the consequence of geological changes that has caused the land to go under water; leaving uncovered only the tops of what were previously low hills. These are the assorted islands that dot the gulf and include Chira Island which is country’s largest with an expansion of 52 square kilometers, San Lucas Island (previously a prison island) and the biological reserves of Guayabo, Negritos and Pájaros Islands.

The protected anchor ages near Caldera and the discharge of land that is now the city of Puntarenas offered important entrance to the Spanish colonists who came first from Panama and later from Guatemala and Nicaragua. These and many other parts of the coastline that are protected from the direct impact of ocean swells support mangroves, which are breeding sites for several marine life. The local fishing industry is flourishing due to these mangroves swamp. All mangroves areas in Costa Rica are protected by law.

5- Diving
There are several fully stocked dive shops with certified instructors and dive masters are available in Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Most of the diving is around rock formations, in 20 to 100 foot depths. Visibility ranges between 20 and 80 feet and water temperatures a steady 75 to 85 degrees, with 80 to 90 degree air temperatures year-round. As well as coastal diving in Cocos Island.
About halfway down Costa Rica’s Pacific coast at Herradura is an area known as El Jardín that is famous for its configurations of soft coral and sea fans. This is easily accesses by dive operators from Puntarenas or Quepos.

The drive from the San Jose airport to Puntarenas will be around one hour on the new highway and it’s about 120 kilometers to the west of San Jose. There are great means of transportation running to and from Puntarenas; the traveling is easier and more convenient. With a good network of bus services connecting the city to the other major destinations in Costa Rica, Getting to Puntarenas should not be much of a concern. Puntarenas transportation helps you in exploring the city even better.

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Tortuguero Caribbean, Costa Rica

Posted by shamsulislam on Dec 17, 2011 in Caribbean | Comments Off on Tortuguero Caribbean, Costa Rica

Tortuguero is a little village on the Caribbean Coast of Costa Rica. It is located on the endless system of rivers and canals and the most biologically diverse region of Country and sits about 70 miles north of Puerto Limon, the capital of the Limon province. Tortuguero means “Region of Turtles”. The beach here is the main nesting place of the endangered Green Turtle in the western Hemisphere. Their population came dangerously close to disappearance in the 1960’s. To save and provide a protected place this endanger specie, the Costa Rican government established Tortuguero National Park in the 1970, limiting development along the coast. This park consists of 46,000 acres and covered 22 miles of shoreline for nesting. Hawksbill, Giant Leatherback, and Loggerhead Turtles also lay their eggs here. Over 300 species of birds live in Tortuguero together with hundreds of species of reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. While visiting by boat all along the canals and waterways during the adventure, visitors will certainly spot a variety of these many animal species without even leaving the boat. This region is Warm and humid and receives over 200 inches of rainfall annually. It also carries a vast number of plant and animal species which are the highest in Tortuguero area among Costa Rica, it is considered a nature lovers’ paradise and appreciated by all tourists and those who live here.
There are no roads leading to Tortuguero, to reach the Tortuguero you have to either use a plane or a boat. It is around three and half hour boat trip from Puerto Limon. It is a fantastic trip; the travelers can spot several kinds of birds flying over in these lowlands. There are absolutely no human settlements.

Tortuguero and its surrounding areas is an astonishing region and it gets the heaviest rainfall. The continuation of corresponding coastal banks has increases the structure of lakes, channels and marshes that are home to lots of fishes and aquatic life. However, the turtles are the main attraction. Peak turtle nesting season is from July through August.

There is not much to see in this town besides a visitor center and museum, there is abundance of activities that one can enjoy while here including hiking and canoeing. There is an energetic community in Costa Rica, that helps save the endangered species of turtles, where visitors can take tours and observe the turtles nesting.

Tortuguero is a calm destination; it has several hotels, lodges, and cabanas that provide lodging at a suitable budget on top of those who have plenty of cash to spare. Several numbers of guides and tourist are operating in the town. You must make a reservation in advance to avoid any problems. During the summer lots of visitors come to Tortuguero, Costa Rica.

Pachira Lodge – Tortuguero
Pachira Lodge is located in Tortuguero. This Lodge is strategically located only 5 minutes away from the amazing Tortuguero National Park, and right across the main “canal” facing the town of Tortuguero. Engulf by a network of scenic canals and this is believed to be one of the most unusual regions of the world, described by its wealthy in flora and fauna. Pachira Lodge is a great option for your Tortuguero hotel.

Laguna Lodge Tortuguero – Tortuguero
Laguna Lodge is a rain forest ecotourism lodge, a leader among this tropical country’s hotels and resorts with an extra touch in style, comfort and personalized service.
It lies along Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean Zone, an exclusive location on a narrow strip of land between the sea on one side and the Tortuguero-Lagoon on the other.
This Region is the most important nesting site in the entire Western half of the Caribbean for the green sea turtle. Laguna Lodge offers 80 rooms divided in blocks of 4 or 6 rooms furnished with all the basic elements for a very comfortable stay. The restaurant is one of the most prestigious in the region. They offer a large bar over the lagoon, huts with hammocks. Laguna Lodge offers a 400 meter swimming pool, with hydro massage waterfall. Next to this is the swimming pool bar, which is decorated with exotic hardwoods. e have a fleet of nine boats, in order to provide safe transfers and to enjoy the tours to adjacent areas and within the Tortuguero National Park which is one of Costa Rica’s most important tourist attractions.

Mawamba Lodge – Tortuguero
Mawamba Lodge is located on 15 acres in the Northeast area of Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast between the Tortuguero Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea. It is the ideal hideaway for nature lovers and people seeking soft adventure. Its beautiful gardens and rustic accommodation blend in perfectly with the exuberant jungle vegetation, exotic birds and wildlife, creating a perfect balance of nature. The lodge features two family-style, open-air restaurants with delicious international and local cuisine, and a pool-bar surrounded by beautiful gardens, where you can enjoy tropical cocktails. The lodge has 54 comfortable rooms with private bathrooms, hot water and ceiling fans. Rooms have either three single beds or one double bed and one single bed. The hotel has the capacity to host up to 100 people.

Casa Marbella Bed and Breakfast – Tortuguero
Conveniently located in the center of Tortuguero village, it is located at a short walking distance from the national park trails, turtle nesting beach, the research station/museum and all the charming shops and restaurants in this unique corner of the country.
Relax on the dock on the river and enjoy watching the boats pass by or observe some of the amazing bird life.
If you are a little more adventurous, want to stay in a comfortable and very clean inn, experience local culture and food (supporting small local businesses) and be minutes away from some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in Central America, this might just be the place for you.

There are no cars in Tortuguero so your options for some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities in the country will be on foot or from a quiet boat (four-stroke motor/electric motor or canoe).

Turtle Nesting Tour
Tortuguero, means as “land of turtles”. It is the most important site in the Caribbean for the nesting of the Green Sea Turtles. Having the opportunity to admire, on a tropical night sky on Costa Rica beach, one of these inspiring animals pull herself to the beach, hollow out a nest and lay the eggs, is absolutely an exceptional experience that can not be forgotten. The turtles are endangered animals, both by natural and human predators.

Female Green turtles have an average estimated weight of 300 lb (137 kg). They count with several versions that permit them to submerge to great depths and live underwater for long periods of time. They nest mostly at night, to avoid predators and the over heating of the sand at beach during the day.

Some studies show that nesting turtles are troubled by light. Thus, females nest on the darker areas of the beach. Guides use a red light flashlight, to which turtles are not sensitive. Due to this reason, the use of cameras, video cameras or similar of any kind, are prohibited during the tour. Turtle nesting season is usually July to October.

Tortuguero Canals
It is Caribbean version of the Amazon. The Tortuguero Canals are a widespread system of natural and man-made waterways used both for simple transport and jungle exploration. Traveling in the course of the canals is a charming experience rich in wildlife that includes monkeys, iguanas, and colorful tropical birds.
Reaching there is half the fun. You will scale through the green coffee plantations outside of San Jose and pass through the massive Braulio Carrillo National Park, before heading down to the lowlands of Limon, on the Caribbean coast. Here, the tropical forest finally gives way to small towns and banana plantations, offering a distinctive view of Costa Rica’s rural life.
Once you arrive at the Canals, the real fun starts. You will be board on a boat which will take you along the canals to a charming jungle lodge. The rustic ecolodges, located on a sand bar between the Tortuguero Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea, sits next to more than 47,000 acres of forest. Trails cut through the dense humid tropical rainforest, allowing you to observe a startling variety of wildlife species. Once under the forest’s canopy, you might see toucans, brightly colored macaws, and playful howler monkeys above. At ground level, tiny poison dart frogs show off their glowing colors. Knowledgeable naturalist guides are available to point out and explain the various species of plant and animal life – truly bringing the forest to life in Costa Rica. Additionally, outdoor activities such as tarpon fishing and sea kayaking are also available.

Tortuguero is a wonderful place in Costa Rica. There are no roads to get here. This distinctive feature has helped conserve the culture of the pueblo and edge large scale outside development. We are proud of our pristine environment and remoteness. But this remoteness will bring you in a less adventurous world.
But do not worry. There are a number of convenient, cheap, and easy ways to get here, so enjoy the journey to paradise.
Tortuguero is remote but easily accessed from San Jose or other locations by rental car and public bus and boat or water taxi via Cariari /La Pavona or Limon/Moin.

Boat
Tortuguero is accessible by boat from Cariari or Moin. If you are traveling to Parismina, you should be able to get one of the boats to Moin to drop you off on the way.

To/from Cariari
The most common and least expensive route to/from Tortuguero is through Cariari, from where you can catch buses to San Jose or Puerto Limon (via Guápiles).

To/from Moin
Moin–Tortuguero is primarily a tourist route. While tour boats play these canals frequently, there is not a reliable, regularly scheduled service.

By Air
The small airstrip is 4km north of Tortuguero village. Nature Air and Sansa both have daily flights to and from San Jose. Many of the upscale lodges offer transportation by charter flight as a part of their package tours.

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