Tortuguero, Turtle Watching/Canals
Boat into Tortuguero, through the maze of canals, with our guide, a native of Tortuguero, and current president of ATEC. On this unique inland waterway you’ll spot also crocodiles, sloths, monkeys, and birds. On the night hike witness the ancient process of green turtle nesting during May to October.
Enjoy Tortuguero, an excellent model of conservation-tourism, at the island’s only locally owned lodge and tour operation; All-Rankin Family Lodge. Have a great time with Willis’ silly sense of humor and his super eye for wildlife. We’re proud to say that he is ATEC’s president.
You can’t wear repellant on the nighttime turtle watch and it’s a night time hike. Wear dark, long sleeved clothes.
Complete 2 Day Package:
Boat transport: Round Trip MoÃn - Tortuguero - MoÃn.
Lodging in cabinas: Private bath, hot water; near the beach.
Three meals
Tours: Observe the nesting of the green turtle,
Visit Turtle Conservation Museum
Morning of the Cano Palma Reserve
Cost: $125
Complete 3 Day Package:
Experience all of the above, plus extra meals and a
Hike to the Cerro de Tortuguero.
Cost: $185
Extra days:
$50 Including 3 meals and Lodging.
Transport Only:
$65
Lodging only:
$20 per night
Learn More:
Marine Life
Sea Turtles
Likewise, Talamanca has the most extensive marine richness of the country: coral reefs, sea grass beds, wetlands and freshwater fish. The Talamancan coast—particularly Gandoca Beach located within the Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge (see next section for more info.) is a major nesting site where four of the six species of sea turtles that nest in Costa Rica lay their eggs. The largest of the sea-turtle species, weighing as much as 500 kilograms, is the leatherback turtle (Dermochelys coriacea). These as well as hawksbill turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata), loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta), and green turtles (Cheloma mydas) nest here. These species are under grave threat of extinction. Over the last 10+ years the efforts of ANAI (http://www.anaicr.org) and now WIDECAST (The Network of Marine Turtle Conservation for the Greater Caribbean, http://www.latinamericanseaturtles.org), have increased the survival rate for Leatherback sea turtles to in excess of 90%, from an original survival rate of just 5% (or a poaching rate of 95%) in the early 1980’s, before the conservation project was launched.
When a nesting female turtle is found during beach patrols during the turtle-nesting season (March to the end of July), volunteers gather information such as the nest size, tag the turtle’s flipper, and gather the eggs. These eggs are either taken to the hatchery, or relocated to a safe position elsewhere on the beach. Once the hatchlings emerge two months later they are tracked until they safely reach the sea. For more information on the work of sea turtle protection or for details of volunteering opportunities, go to http://www.latinamericanseaturtles.org or turtle observation excursions on page 35.
It is not legal to purchase products made with turtle shell, or to eat turtle eggs or meat.
