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Northern Caribbean coast

Tortuguero & Barra del Colorado

The ideal starting point for first-time visitors is the Tortuguero national park. It lies on the northern Caribbean coast of Costa Rica and protects one of the country’s largest patches of rainforest. The park is crossed by numerous canals and can consequently only be reached by boat or airplane. Organized and guided package tours are offered from San José. The classic package lasts 3 days/2 nights and includes a drive from San José through the lush Braulio Carillo national park to a boat docking station near the coast. Via boat, the many jungle lodges in the midst of the rainforest or directly on the coast can be reached. From July to October, sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach of Tortuguero. This spectacle of nature should not be missed! During the day, the lodges offer boat tours on the jungle canals where monkeys, sloths, giant lizards, freshwater turtles, caimans, and many types of birds, including toucans, can be observed. The lush green and the sounds of the jungle overwhelm all visitors.

A tip: Several lodges offer canoe instead of motorboat tours for small groups on the narrow jungle canals on request. This noiseless way of discovering the region is not only more eco-friendly, but also much more adventurous.

About an hour’s boat ride north of Tortuguero lies the wildlife sanctuary Barra del Colorado. Similar to Tortuguero, it is crossed by many canals and is a perfect place to observe animals. In the mouths of the rivers and many lagoons, the tarpon fish can be discovered. While Barra del Colorado is less frequented than Tortuguero, it also offers fewer choices of lodging.

Tortuguero and Barra del Colorado can be reached by airplane with Sansa Regional, Nature Air, or charter flights.