Located on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast beside Tortuguero National Park, the village of Tortuguero is a gateway to one of the country’s most important protected areas. The park encompasses tropical rainforest, wetlands, rivers, lagoons and beaches, with an extensive network of waterways explored by boat or kayak. More than 400 bird species have been recorded here, alongside monkeys, sloths, caimans and other wildlife. From July to November, visitors can join guided turtle-watching excursions to see green turtle hatchlings emerge from their nests and make their way to the sea. Hiking, wildlife watching and canal tours are among the other popular activities. In the wider region, Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge and Cariari National Wetlands offer further opportunities to explore the Caribbean lowlands, while the Sea Turtle Conservancy’s visitor centre provides insight into local turtle conservation.
