| The
creation of this park in 1970 gave much needed protection
to one of the region's most important and unique natural
resources: a 22-km. stretch of shoreline that serves
as the principal nesting site throughout the western
half of the Caribbean Sea for the Atlantic Green Sea
Turtle. Watching these great reptiles emerge from the
tropical sea and haul their 100+ kg. bodies ashore to
lay their eggs under cover of darkness is truly a memorable
spectacle. The nesting season for the green turtles
extends from July to October.
An even
larger species, the Leatherback Sea Turtle, also nests
on these beaches from February to April, although most
nesting is done in the southern portion of the park,
far from the actual village of Tortuguero.
In
addition to this vital strip of coastline, Tortuguero
National Park protects 18,946 ha. of forested habit
and an extensive network of freshwater creeks and lagoons.
The aquatic environment is home to 7 species of river
turtles, as well as Spectacled Caiman, Southern River
Otters, the scarce and hard to see West Indian Manatee,
the fierce-looking Alligator Gar -- a fish which has
remained nearly unchanged in appearance since prehistoric
times -- and numerous other fish species including Atlantic
Snook and Atlantic Tarpon which bring anxious anglers
to this region from all over the world.
Gliding
through the tranquil backwaters in a small boat is as
enjoyable and rewarding a way to watch wildlife as you're
likely to find anywhere. And even if most of the diverse
assortment of rain forest denizens manages to elude
your gaze, the experience alone, along with the wonderful
forest sounds, make this activity one of the highlights
of any visit.
In 1994,
the Caribbean Conservation
Corporation finished a new Visitors Center Building
just north of the village of Tortuguero and the exhibits
on display are very well done and most informative.
Admission
policy: Night walks on the beach to observe nesting
sea turtles must be in the company of a trained and
authorized local guide (arrangements can be made through
any of the area hotels).
Getting
there: Accessible only by boat or plane. The 30-minute
flight from San José can be arranged with any
of the private charter companies, or on the regularly
scheduled TravelAir service.
Boats can
be hired in Moín (just north of Limón)
to take you up the canal system to Tortuguero. The length
of time depends on the vessel (averages between two
and four hours). Tortuguero can also be reached by boat
from Puerto Viejo de Sarapiquí. This is a longer,
but equally scenic journey which takes you down the
Sarapiquí River to the San Juan River (at which
point you will technically be in Nicaragua and thus
must go through the corresponding border checks on both
sides of the river), and then through Barra del Colorado
Wildlife Refuge to Tortuguero. This route usually
takes from four to six hours.
Fishing:
The species and conditions are essentially the same
as at Barra del Colorado.
Climate:
This coastal region receives four to five meters
of rain per year (sometimes more), so expect very warm
and humid conditions.
History:
The low-lying areas are of relatively recent geological
formation being alluvial sediments washed down from
the interior mountains, but the few hilly places in
the region, including Tortuguero Hill near the mouth
of the Tortuguero River, are remnant volcanic formations
that date back to when this portion of Central America
consisted of nothing more than an archipelago of volcanic
islands.
At some
time in the region's history, sea turtles discovered
that the beach here made a suitable nesting site and
have continued to return faithfully ever since. However,
the Green Sea Turtle nearly declined to extinction due
to excessive harvesting of its meat for turtle soup
and of eggs poached from the nests for their supposed
aphrodisiacal properties.
Fortunately,
the efforts of the late Dr. Archie Carr, a biologist
from the University of Florida, in Gainesville, were
in time to initiate the preservation of the species
before it was too late. In 1959, he formed the Caribbean
Conservation Corporation for the purpose of studying
and protecting sea turtles throughout the region. The
turtle tagging program begun at Tortuguero in 1955 is
still continuing today and has yielded much information
about these enigmatic creatures.
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