TURTLE WATCHING IN TORTUGUERO
The small village of Tortuguero (translated as “Region of Turtles”) lies on the northeastern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, approximately 50 miles north of the principal Port of Limon. the village is comprised of a variety of cultures: Hispanic, Miskito Indian (Nicaragua), and Afro-Caribbean. Both Spanish and Creole English are spoken. The region surrounding Tortuguero is called the Tortuguero Plain, which is a vast low lying area of little topographic relief still covered by a large expanse of tropical rainforest.
Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered Green Turtle in the Western Hemishpere. Giant leatherback, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead turtles also nest here. The green turtle population is believed to have come perilously close to extinction in the 1960s when nearly every female turtle arriving to nest in Tortuguero was taken for the export market for turtle soup. The Tortuguero National Park, and the Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge to the north, comprise the largest remaining adjoining tract of lowland wet tropical forest on Costa Rica's Atlantic Coast.
Duration: 2 – 3 hours
Times: We meet at 6:00 p.m.
What to wear: Comfortable trekking Shoes, repellent.
What to bring: Sun block, towel, camera, binoculars