Popular Tours - Caribbean Region
Northern Caribbean: Tortuguero
Tortuguero is a very special and different place compared to the other regions of the country. This unique location is a myriad system of water canals like the amazons. Transportation to Tortuguero is via bus/boat (6 hours) or domestic flight (45 minutes). Next to the national park you can find the communities of Parismina and Tortuguero itself. In these places you can observe and get to know the characteristic features of the Caribbean culture. There you can find facilities and services you need, such as food, lodging, guides, and phones, among others. Most of the hotels offer an "All Inclusive package". We recommend a 3D2N package to really enjoy this area. The standard 3D2N package Tortuguero: 2 nights lodging, roundtrip bus/boat transfers, all meals, 2 tours: Tortuguero National Park, Village & Museum visit.
Tortuguero National Park - Tortuguero National Park, originally intended to protect a major nesting beach of the Atlantic Green Turtle, now protects 21,000 hectares of tropical rainforest -- one of the last, large, areas of tropical rainforest in Central America -- in its natural state. Eleven habitats have been identified in the park. The most notable habitats are littoral wood land where gramineous, cyperaceous plants and coconut palms (cocos nucifera) are predominant; berm, high rainforest where crab wood (Carapa guianensis), banak (Virola sp) and Santa Maria (Calophyllum brasiliense) grow; slope forest made up of trees such as the wild tamarind (Penta Clethra Macroloba), bully tree (Hieronyma alchorneoides) and dove wood (Alchornea latifolia); swamp forest with a predominance of wild tamarind, cativo (Prioria coparfera) black palm (Astrocaryum standleyanum) and stilt palm (Socratea durissima); holillo forest composed almost exclusively of holillo palm (Raphi taedigera); and herbaceous swamp made up of herbaceous plants that grow as high as 2 meters, such as suita palm (Asterogune martiana) and portorrico (Cyclanthus sp). Three species of monkeys (Spider, Howler, and White-faced), Three-toed Sloth's, and River Otters are frequently seen along the natural inland waterways and canals. Caiman, iguanas, river turtles, basilisk lizards, and poison-dart (Dendrobates) frogs inhabit the area along with more than 320 species of birds including all 6 species of kingfishers found in the New World, 3 species of toucans, 8 species of parrots, and other neotropical species such as the Stailed Trogon, White-collared Manakin, Purple-throated Fruitcrow, and White-fronted Nunbird.
Caribbean Conservation Museum Tour - This tour is included in the Tortuguero packaged tours. Visit the museum founded by CCC. The late Dr. Archie Carr began to study and tag the thousands of Atlantic green sea turtle that every year from June through October come to Tortuguero Beach to lay their eggs. The study has continue without fail ever since, under the auspices of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC). It is the longest running continuous study of its kind in the world, and it has had a profound effect on the community of Tortuguero.
Departure: 3:00 P.M.
Frequency: Daily
Duration: 2 hours
Includes: transportation, bilingual guide
Items to bring/wear: Small backpack, hiking shoes/sneakers, T-shirt, shorts, hat, raingear if necessary, repellent.
Atlantic Green Sea Turtle Tours - Night Time Turtle Walks ( June to October ONLY ) During the season the highlight of a trip to Tortuguero is actually standing a few feet from a 300 pound Green Sea Turtle while she lays 80-100 eggs, covers up her nest, perhaps digs a false nest to throw off the predators, and, finally, after more than an hour, returns to the sea Escorted by the best Tortuguero Guides available, the visitor will have the opportunity to see a major nesting beach for the Atlantic green sea turtle up close (June to October). The tour leaves at about 8:00 p.m., and lasts 2 to 4 hours. Not available in inclement weather. Baby Turtle Hatching (August to November) Escorted by the best Tortuguero Guides available, the visitors will walk the beach in the early morning hours in search of a nest and that has begun to hatch. Baby turtles dig their way out of the nest and then make their way to the water. Many predators must be dealt with along the way.
Departure: 8:00 P.M. Departure time varies according to the hotel location
Frequency: Daily
Duration: 2-4 hours
Includes: transportation, bilingual guide
Items to bring/wear: Small backpack, hiking shoes/sneakers, T-shirt, shorts, hat, raingear if necessary, repellent, flashlight.
Fishing at Barra Del Colorado - This is the best place for great tarpon and snook action, located in a tropical, jungle environment in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, these are the places you need to be to experience the tackle busting action of the majestic, acrobatic tarpon. In addition to tarpon, this area of the country is teaming with many other offshore species like kingfish, tunas, jack crevalles and the speedy wahoo. For light tackle backwater fishing, fresh water species like machaca, guapote and mojarra. The guapote fights for all the world like a black bass, and may run to 12 pounds, although the average size is probably closer to three pounds. The mojarra looks much like a huge bluegill, except the colors are more brilliant and they frequently run one to two pounds or more, and will hit voraciously on small trout spinners or flies. Machaca have been called "miniature tarpon" because of their propensity for aerial acrobatics.
Departure: 7:00 A.M. Departure time varies according to the hotel location
Frequency: Daily
Duration: ½ day or full day
Includes: transportation, boat, equipment, captain, mate, refreshments, bait/tackle
Items to bring/wear: Small backpack, Tevas/sneakers, hat, T- shirt, shorts, sunscreen, camera, repellent.
The Rain Forest Aerial Tram Located in Guapiles - No other tour gives you a more intimate view of the rain forest than a ride on the Aerial Tram. This open vehicle takes you through the canopy, skimming over hilltops, into the depths of Costa Rican jungle. The ride stops several times along the way for close-up view of birds and nesting sites.
Departure: 8:00 A.M. Departure time varies according to the hotel location
Frequency: daily
Duration: 7 hours
Includes: transportation, bilingual guide, entrance fee & lunch
Items to bring/wear: Small backpack, hiking shoes/sneakers, T-shirt, shorts, hat, raingear if necessary, repellent, camera & binoculars.
