Protected Areas

Established in 1975, Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most biologically diverse wildlife areas. Featuring one of the most verdant landscapes in the country, the 26,156-hectare park was created with the main purpose of protecting the western Caribbean’s most important green sea turtle nesting area. Tortuguero owes its very wet tropical forest to the 5,000 to 6,000 millimeters of rain it receives per year. These climatic conditions are favorable to more than 400 tree species, around 2,200 species of other plants and more than 400 bird, 60 amphibian and 30 freshwater fish species, as well as several endangered animals, including tapirs, monkeys, ocelots, jaguars, manatees and sloths. Tortuguero is characterized by beautifully scenic canals, lagoons and rivers that may be toured by boat, canoe or kayak. In addition to the green turtle, three other sea turtle species nest on the park’s beaches. The park features a display room, information, drinking water, restrooms, trails and other services.

First declared a biological preserve in 1982, this protected area became a national park in 1998. Sheltering a large tropical wet forest, the park’s 11,994-hectare territory is an important water resource. Located some 20 kilometers from the city of Siquirres, the park is difficult to access. For this reason, and because necessary facilities are not available, visits are only recommended for those accustomed to hiking and should be led by local guides from the community of Las Brisas de Pacuarito, where the national park’s administration office is located. The park contains primary tropical wet forest and tropical very wet forest. Altitudinal variations from 110 to 1,617 meters above sea level make for great biological wealth. Yearly rainfall is between 3,500 and 4,599 millimeters. Pumas, jaguars, ocelots, tapirs, monkeys and many bird species inhabit the park’s forests.