National Parks

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Limoncito Costa Rica

Limoncito Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on April 26th, 1994 to protect migratory bird species in the lowlands, flooded forests and palm forests of the central Caribbean coastal region. It is located at the mouth of the Limoncito River, just south of the Limon port in Costa Rica.

The Limoncito Wildlife Refuge has great recreational potential, covered mainly in holillo palm (Raphia taedigera). Also, the refuge has a very beautiful beach, although it has big waves, surrounded with coconut palms (Cocos nucifera). Best access to the Limoncito beach area is by walking south from Limon, a path along the beach from Limón.

There are no public facilities at Limoncito Wildlife Refuge. Other nearby parks include Tortuguero National Park, Cahuita National Park and Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Limoncito Wildlife Refuge:

From the Juan Santamaria International Airport drive for about 8 km in direction to San Jose. On your right hand the Hospital Mexico will appear.After the Hospital Mexico, you must take the exit to La Uruca (on the rotonda, the third exit). Turn right at the traffic lights and follow to San José (keep the middle lane as much as possible) until you get to Shell gas station at a Y-junction, keep left. Take the exit Guapiles-Limon and follow the road (nr. 32) to Limón, passing through the Zurqui bridge and the Braulio Carrillo mountains. It is likely that you will encounter fog and rain. Please drive with your lights on. After the mountains the road to Limon is practically straight with no hills.

When you reach Puerto Limon, just before you enter to the city you will see a sign (at the Texaco Station) where you turn right and go to Cahuita and Puerto Viejo and just follow the coast until you get to Limoncito Wildlife Refuge. This route requires a total of five hours from San Jose.

Please note that if you have not left San Jose by 2 pm you will be driving part of the way at night. We do not recommend this for first time travelers driving in Costa Rica. Roads do not have lines, and rain can be bad and there are potholes and people walking/cycling that you can not see very well.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cahuita National Park – Puerto Viejo, which takes 3.5 hours (Transportes Caribeños, 2257-8129). We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Limon, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. From here you can rent a car and drive or take taxi to Limoncito Wildlife Refuge, which is about 15 minutes.

Location: south of Limón city, Costa Rica.
Limon GPS Coordinates: 9.989639,-83.03325 (9°59’22.70″N, 83°01’59.70″W)
Size: 1,056 ha (2,790 acres)
Caribbean La Amistad Conservation Area (ACLA-C) Telephone: +(506) 2795-1446
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Downtown Limon, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Location: between Tortuguero canals and the Caribbean Sea, about 25 km north of the Atlantic port city of Limon, Costa Rica.
Matina GPS Coordinates: 10.071414,-83.288406 (10°04’17.09″N, 83°17’18.26″W)
Size: 476 ha (1176 acres)
Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve Telephone: +506 2234-5890
Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTO) Telephone: +506 2710-2929
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Website: www.turtleprotection.org

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Matina, Limon, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve Costa Rica was created on March 23rd, 1973 to protect the lowland primary forests of the central Caribbean coastal region, where sea turtles come to nest on the beach. The reserve is located between the mouths of the rivers Pacuare and Matina, including the Madre de Dios Estuary and which is also crossed by the Tortuguero canals.

Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve is an important sea turtle nesting site of the leatherback turtle as well as green and hawksbill turtles. As well, the reserve also has many river turtles. The leatherbacks come ashore here from March through June, and the green turtles from June through September. Both of these turtles are endangered due to poaching for meat and eggs, as also because of the destruction of their natural habitat due to land development along the coast line.

The reserve has hundreds of acres of pristine lowland rainforest and six kilometers of deserted beaches, so it is rich in wildlife, with a wide variety of monkeys, more than 250 species of birds, and an exotic flora; but its special mission has been to protect the critically endangered Leatherback Turtles.

In 1994 a volunteer turtle protection program was established at the Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve and is made up of volunteers and students. Visitors are welcome and upon arrival are given an orientation and invited to participate in the night patrol of walking the beaches to make sure poachers are not taking the turtles or the eggs. Visitors can stay at the very rustic lodge located on the property.

There are no public facilities at the Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve. Other nearby Costa Rica parks includes Tortuguero National Park, Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge, Limoncito Wildlife Refuge, Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge and Cahuita National Park.

Getting to Pacuare Matina Forest Reserve:

From San José, take the Guapiles highway toward the city of Limon. Turn off near a village named Matina and go about 30 minutes through very scenic route of banana plantations to La Trocha, located along the Tortuguero canals. Boat from the lodge picks you up and then it is a 20 min ride to the reserve.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Matina – Batan, which takes 2 hours (Grupo Caribeños, +506 2222-0610).

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tortuguero airport, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights.

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Fauna Silvestre Barra del Colorado Costa Rica

Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica is situated between Tortuguero National Park and Nicaraguan border. Ecologically it is very similar to Tortuguero because of the canals, rivers, swamps, gaps, river islands and hills. Barra del Colorado is in a very rainy area and the failure to have not a marked dry season makes it dominating the humid and very hot climate. The refuge is no longer used for farming as earned its status as a protected area later. Definitely, a boat trip along the San Juan River, which forms the border to Nicaragua, shows the contrast between the two countries, with thick forest to the Nicaraguan side and much farmland on the Costa Rican side. However, there is plenty of rainforest species similar in range to those at Tortuguero. The reserve is mostly comprised of the San Juan River delta which drains in Nicaragua Lake. The Colorado River is the main distributary on the Costa Rican side and it is at the mouth of this river that people finds the village of Barra del Colorado, divided into Barra Norte on the river’s north side and Barra Sur to the south. The airstrip is at Barra Sur.

The 2000 or so inhabitants of the river delta are a mixture of Afro-Caribbean, Costa Rican Indians, Costa Ricans and some Nicaraguans who fled across the border during that country’s civil war. Barra’s closeness to the instability in Nicaragua has held up tourist development, but this is likely to change in the not too distance future.

With an average temperature of 26C (79F) and an annual rainfall of 4000mm (160in), the refuge has a similar climate and natural vegetation to Tortuguero. The wildlife is equally good, particularly as there are fewer disturbances, but the reserve is less accessible and there are few trails, so that most viewing is by boat. People are certain to see mammals such as Three-toed Sloths and both Spider and Howler Monkeys, while reptiles include caymans, crocodiles and the omnipresent iguana. There is a wide range of forest and water birds, such as the famous toucans, Green Macaws, parrots, trogons and jacanas, as a whole selection of the heron family. This is also the best location in Costa Rica to see the endangered Manatee pasting under the water.

Most of the people, however, come to Barra del Colorado for the sport fishing, as it is in fact one of the most important areas in Costa Rica dedicated to this activity. The best season for tarpon fishing is from February to late May, while snook are trapped in droves from September to October, through there is good fishing to be had at any time of the year. Other fishes available in that zone include the spectacular rainbow bass, barracudas and the amazing Gaspar fish, the one that is known as a living fossil thanks to its large mouth with sharp teeth which makes it look like a crocodile. Although, there is deep-sea fishing offshore for both marlin and sailfish. Most lodges operate a ‘catch and release’ policy.

The refuge has a ranger station with general information, drinking water, restrooms, a research center and higher education on the Humid Tropics, showroom, public telephone, a river port, airport and bus terminal. Furthermore, in the village you can find food and lodging services. Other nearby parks include Tortuguero National Park, Dr. Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge and the Corredor Fronterizo Costa Rica – Nicaragua National Wildlife Refuge.

Getting to Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge:

From San José, take the Guapiles highway toward the city of Limon. Near Limon, at the Bay of Moin, is the beginning of a navigable canal which leads northward through the Cariari National Wetlands.

The only access to Barra del Colorado is by boat or by plane. The ships can be boarded at Hamburg Port, just north Moín, schedule early morning departures only, or, alternatively, visitors can enter by the Sarapiquí River in Puerto Viejo.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cariari – Tortuguero, which takes 2 hours (Empresarios Guapileños, 2710-7780 / Rubén Bananeros, 2709-8005 / Copetrac, 2767-6139). To Tortuguero must get off at the last stop in Cariari, take the bus going to La Guees and then take a boat. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved and if driving to Tortuguero, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended.

You can also take a bus from San Jose – Cariari (Copetrac, 2767-6139) from the Gran Terminal Caribe to connect with buses to Puerto Lindo or to La Pavona. Then take either public water taxi or arrange to have your lodge collect you. There is also bus service between Cariari and Guapiles. Morpho Travel (2711-0674) offers boat service between Tortuguero and Pavones.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Barra del Colorado airport, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights.

Location: between Tortuguero National Park and Nicaraguan border on the Caribbean coast.
GPS Coordenates: 10.751839,-83.589853 (10°45’06.62″N, 83°35’23.47″W)
Size: 92,000ha (227,000 acres)
Altitude: above sea level
Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge Telephone: +(506) 2711-1201
Fax: +(506) 2710-7673
Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTO) Telephone: +(506) 2710-2929
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Barra del Colorado Airport in Limon, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Dr. Archie Carr Costa Rica

Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge Costa Rica was created on May 19th, 1994 to operate the John H. Phipps Biological Station and Casa Verde Visitor’s Center, which executes a sea turtle-tagging program among other research activities on its beaches. It is located within the Tortuguero Conservation Area, in Limón Province, Costa Rica. The refuge was named after Dr. Archie Carr (born on June 16th, 1909 in Mobile Alabama), who set up the Caribbean Conservation Corporation in the same area in 1955.

Due to its proximity to Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado National Parks, its wildlife its almost the same. At Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge are around 400 species of birds, about 57 kinds of amphibians, 111 reptiles and 60 mammals, including many of the endangered animals in the country, such as jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, mountain lions. Similarly, the refuge has a large population of monkeys, anteaters, sloths, bats, river otters, alligators, crocodiles, birds, among which are toucans, parrots and kingfisher, as well as seven types of freshwater turtles. Manatees can occasionally be seen under water. Similarly, thanks to the large number of exotic shrubs on the ground is easy to observe swarms of butterflies.

Undoubtedly, the history of the Sea Turtle Conservancy (STC) is forever intertwined with the life and accomplishments of Dr. Archie Carr, who was truly a remarkable man. Through his research, teaching and writing, Dr. Carr is responsible for accumulating and distributing much of what is known about the biology and life cycle of sea turtles, who also is credited by many for bringing the first international attention to the plight of marine turtles.

For 20 years Archie Carr was chairman of the Marine Turtle Specialist Group of IUCN’s Survival Service Commission, forging and directing the international movement for the conservation of sea turtles. During his tenure as chairman he was not afraid to take controversial stands. He consistently fought against the commercial “ranching” of sea turtles and sale of their products, a position that was supported by U.S. regulations and by CITES convention. He also opposed the removal of sea turtle species from the IUCN endangered or threatened lists merely because particular populations appeared to be doing well.

Besides his conservation work on behalf of sea turtles, Archie Carr also supported his wife’s effective campaigns for conservation in Florida, and in the past few years devoted increasing time to the problem of marine pollution by plastics and petroleum. He won numerous awards and honors for his conservation work. These include the World Wildlife Fund’s Gold Medal, the Smithsonian Institution’s Edward W. Browning Award, the New York Zoological Society’s Gold Medal, and the Hal Borland Award of the National Audubon Society. He was also appointed, by Prince Bernhard of the Netherlands, an officer of the Order of the Golden Ark.

Getting to Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge:

From San José, take the Guapiles highway toward the city of Limon. Near Limon, at the Bay of Moin, is the beginning of a navigable canal which leads northward through the Cariari National Wetlands and into the wilderness area of Tortuguero National Park.

The only access to Tortuguero and Dr. Archie Carr Wildlife Refuge is by boat or by plane. The ships can be boarded at Hamburg Port, just north Moín, schedule early morning departures only, or, alternatively, visitors can enter by the Sarapiquí River in Puerto Viejo.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cariari – Tortuguero, which takes 2 hours (Empresarios Guapileños, 2710-7780 / Rubén Bananeros, 2709-8005). To Tortuguero must get off at the last stop in Cariari, take the bus going to La Guees and then take a boat. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved and if driving to Tortuguero, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tortuguero airport, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. For further information about this park contact the Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTO).

Location: 1 km north of Tortuguero town, between Barra del Colorado Wildlife Refuge and Tortuguero National Park in Limon, Costa Rica
Tortuguero GPS Coordinates: 10.396217,-83.485778 (10°23’46.38″N, 83°29’08.80″W)
Size: 54 ha (109 acres)
Tortuguero National Park Telephone: +(506) 2709-8086
Fax: +(506) 2710-7673
Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTO) Telephone: +(506) 2710-2929
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192
Web site: www.conserveturtles.org

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Parismina, Limon, Costa Rica at Google Maps

Haga click en el siguiente enlace para leer está página en Español: Parque Nacional Tortuguero en Costa Rica

Tortuguero National Park Costa Rica is the largest in the Caribbean area in the development of the marine green turtle, the leatherback and hawksbill turtles, as they all come to nest along the immense beach. The park is located in one of the wetter areas of Costa Rica, in the tropical rainforest in the northern Caribbean coast, where the average temperature is 26C. The vegetation is typical of humid tropical forest with herbaceous communities, swamps and abundant rivers, lakes and canals.

The park is set up to investigate and protect the flora and fauna of the area, as well as to achieve more and better environmental education through the American biologist Dr. Archie Carr, who worried about the future of the turtles, created in 1959, the Caribbean Conservation Corporation to study and protect sea turtles in the region. Carr worked with the government of Costa Rica to establish and create a sanctuary in 1963 in Tortuguero where endangered turtles could nest quietly, turning the area seven years later, in 1970, in the current Tortuguero National Park, one of the most biologically diverse carriers which have identified more than 10 different habitats.

The park has a desolate beach for around 22 miles (35 kilometers), in which nesting about four species of sea turtles. The beach is not suitable for swimming due to the tides, sharks and barracuda abound in the area. Among the birds there are a variety, such as the Royal Terns, Brown Pelicans and Frigatebirds, while waders such as plovers and sandpipers can be seen along the coast. In this beach, about 200-300m (650-985ft) wide, is located the small village of Tortuguero, a settlement of around 600 people, with their wooden houses and tin roofs, a small church and traditional shop and bar. At the heart of the village is a small information kiosk showing a brief video about the conservation of turtles.

Behind is the main waterway of the National Park, which runs parallel to the coast. West of the main road there is a maze of channels that penetrate the forest, wildlife filled, because here are around 400 species of birds, about 57 kinds of amphibians, 111 reptiles and 60 mammals, including many of the endangered animals in the country, such as jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, mountain lions and river otters. The wider channels make it easy to observe alligators, crocodiles, river otters and seven types of freshwater turtles, also birds, among which are toucans, parrots and kingfisher. Manatees can occasionally be seen under water. Similarly, thanks to the large number of exotic shrubs on the ground is easy to observe swarms of butterflies, while the trees provide a home for mammals, including three types of monkeys, anteaters, sloths, bats and many species of ants, including the bullet ants, whose bites can cause an unbearable pain for 24 hours, army ants are swarming with more than one million ants to attack their prey, and the most remarkable, cutting leaves ants, often long lines seen across the forest carrying bits of leaves to their colony for the fungus which they feed. Similarly, the humid atmosphere, it attracts insects that are not welcome, so the visitor must be well protected with some kind of insect repellent. Similarly, it is recommended fresh clothing, capes and umbrellas.

The Caribbean coast of Costa Rica is the main nesting site for Marine Green Turtles of the Atlantic, as some 30,000 come here to lay their eggs from July through October, with the largest number of arrivals in September. Green Turtle can weigh up to 200 kg (440 lb), and on the other hand the shell or carapace of the giant leatherback turtle, can measure up to 5 meters (16 feet), making it the world’s largest reptile. The leatherback turtle nests are found south of the town of Tortuguero, and having the largest number of arrivals in February to April. The Hawksbill Turtle and Boba also lay their eggs here. The egg-laying is at night and where the mass arrivals of turtles are known as above.

There are strict rules for visitors. They are not allowed to stay on the beach at night unless accompanied by a guide, cameras and flashlights are not allowed, and only 200 people can see. The fact of seeing these huge sea creatures that come ashore to lay their eggs is a unique experience in wildlife, compared only by the spectacular scene that develops after a few weeks where offspring emerge and begin their journey towards the sea , running from predators. Despite legislation and government protection, even poachers steal eggs from the beaches due to its alleged aphrodisiac qualities and the capture of sea turtles for their meat and for the famous turtle soup.

There are three park stations within Tortuguero National Park, open for visitor attention. The Cuatro Esquinas Headquarters has camping available. It is at the north end of the park, in the town of Tortuguero. You must pass through here to get access to the beach area. Three trails are in this area: The El Gavilan Trail leads southward through the forest about a mile and ends on the beach. La Ceiba and La Bomba trails takes you up Tortuguero hill, to a tower which provides a scenic view of the region.

The Sector Jalova Station is on the south end of the park, near Jalova Lagoon, north of the town of Parismina. The El Tucan Nature Trail begins at the station and parallels the Cano Negro waterway. Two other trails, Tragon and La Ranita Roja, provides short nature hikes.

The Aguas Frias Station is on the western border of the park. You can reach it by turning north off the highway at Guapiles, and driving through the town of Cariari, Pococi. The Los Raudales Nature Trail leads to the scenic lookout point (1,000′) at Lomas del Sierpe. Other nearby national parks include the Dr. Archie Carr National Wildlife Refuge, Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge and the Corredor Fronterizo Costa Rica – Nicaragua National Wildlife Refuge

Getting to Tortuguero National Park:

From San José, take the Guapiles highway toward the city of Limon. Near Limon, at the Bay of Moin, is the beginning of a navigable canal which leads northward through the Cariari National Wetlands and into the wilderness area of Tortuguero National Park.

The only access to Tortuguero is by boat or by plane. The ships can be boarded at Hamburg Port, just north Moín, schedule early morning departures only, or, alternatively, visitors can enter by the Sarapiquí River in Puerto Viejo.

By bus

Take a bus from the route San Jose – Cariari – Tortuguero, which takes 2 hours (Empresarios Guapileños, 2710-7780 / Rubén Bananeros, 2709-8005). To Tortuguero must get off at the last stop in Cariari, take the bus going to La Guees and then take a boat. We recommend buying the ticket a day earlier to be sure your seat is saved and if driving to Tortuguero, a 4×4 vehicle is highly recommended.

By plane:

You can also take a flight from the Juan Santamaria Airport to the Tortuguero airport, either with Sansa, TravelAir or Aerobell Airlines, both with daily flights. For further information about this park contact the Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTO).

Location: North of the Caribbean coast
GPS coordinates: 10.396217,-83.485778 (10°23’46.38″N, 83°29’08.80″W)
Size: 19,000 hectares (36,000 acres)
Elevation: Just above sea level
Schedule: from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. at night only in groups led by permission.
Tortuguero National Park Telephone: +(506) 2709-8086
Fax: +(506) 2710-7673
Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTO) Telephone: +(506) 2710-2929
INFOTUR Tourist Information: 1192

Address map: Click here to view directions from Juan Santamaria International Airport (SJO), Alajuela, Costa Rica TO Tortuguero National Park in Limon, Costa Rica at Google Maps