COSTA RICA ECOTOURISMSea Turtles of Tortuguero Costa RicaFor many, Costa Rica vacations are increasingly equated with Costa Rica ecotourism. Tourism is the world's biggest service industry and ecotourism is its fastest growing segment, increasing 20% or more annually.
You and I typically spend about $1,100 on our Costa Rica vacation. And, we may be helping to save the planet, one Costa Rica ecotourist---and one sea turtle---at a time. Case in point: Tortuguero Costa Rica and. . . The Turtle That Laid The Golden EggTortuguero is the Spanish word for "filled with turtles" and today describes the world's largest Atlantic Green Sea Turtle preserve and a national park of international renown and importance.Smack in the heart of Tortuguero National Park is Tortuguero Village, a tiny enclave that can only be reached by boat or small plane. Like virtually all of Latin America, its people were very poor. Forests were cut and burned to make way for banana plantations. Jaguars, pumas, crocodiles, and caiman were hunted for their hides. Sea turtle meat and eggs were a staple. As the jungles receded, the ecology of the region was altered and, among other things, sea turtle populations crashed. The waters were no longer full of turtles because of unregulated hunting and ceaseless exploitation of turtle nests. Game became scarce and life became more and more difficult for villagers. Ironically, Tortuguero Costa Rica---and perhaps the whole country---were saved by one of the most ancient of creatures: the very sea turtles on the edge of destruction. How? Through ordinary people like you (no offense) and me and what has come to be known as Costa Rica ecotourism and a fabulous accidental discovery (look in the box):
Take a moment and look at this You Tube video. You will see what I mean.
Tortuguero VillageSea turtles are one of the world's oldest animals, having been around for more than one hundred million years. Incredibly, the first sea turtle went to the sea before there were Seven Continents, click for moreCosta Rica ecotourism brings more than 50,000 visitors a year to Tortuguero---many thousands come to see the sea turtles---and its economic impact and conservation benefits are obvious (as the You Tube video above illustrates) in Tortuguero Village. Tortuguero Village
Planning Your Tortuguero TripThough this page is mostly about Costa Rica ecotourism and Tortuguero sea turtles, Tortuguero National Park is far more. It is filled with wildlife and adventures but some times may be better than others for your trip.Some considerations for those considering Costa Rica vacations in this neck of the woods: WEATHER It is humid and warm (can be hot inside the Park) year round. There is rain every month but the driest months are typically February, April, and November and the wettest months tend to be January, June, and July. The heaviest rains tend to come late in the afternoon and evening. GREEN SEA TURTLE NESTING SEASON Along the Western Caribbean, the prime time for viewing green sea turtle nesting is June through the end of September or middle of October. GETTING THERE There are no roads to either Tortuguero Village or Tortuguero National Park. There are endless Costa Rica tours offered in Costa Rica hotel and hostel lobbies. If you are more of a "I want to make my own adventure" person, here are several ideas (included prices) for
getting to Tortuguero Village
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