Page 63 - CARIBE TOURIST GUIDE

Área de Conservación Tortuguero (ACT)
Protected Areas
Protected areas
• Tortuguero National • Park
• Barra del Colorado National Wildlife • Reserve
• Protected Area of the • Guácimo-Pococí Aquifers
Dr. Archie Carr • National Wildlife Reserve • Tortuguero Protected Area • Northern Border Corridor National Wildlife Reserve
Cariari National Wetland Parismina, Guácimo Sector Sector Jalova, Guácimo
Tortuguero National Park will surprise you with its vast biodiversity and magical landscapes in this special and remote corner of Costa Rica that offers a spectacular and welcoming Caribbean experience. Starting with the fact that it can only be accessed by small boats or by air, since there are no roads there.
It is one of the main tourist icons of Costa Rica, because it is internationally recognized for protecting a nesting beach used by sea turtles, especially the green turtle, which is the most important species in the western hemisphere. However, hawksbill, loggerhead and leatherback turtles can also be seen. The latter species is the largest of all, reaching a weight of over 400 kg. The beach where the turtles lay their eggs is included within the Tortuguero National Park. The park protects 76,937 hectares, of which 50,284 are marine and 26,653 are on land.
Of the reserve’s land area, 99% is used for absolute conservation and 1% is set aside for visitors. The marine area is 100% dedicated to absolute conservation.
Tortuguero National Park is located in northeastern Costa Rica, in the canton of Pococí, and belongs to the province of Limón. Far from the city and formed by an extensive network of rivers and canals, it is a place unlike any other. The small communities surrounding the protected wildlife area, such as Barra del Tortuguero and San Francisco, still preserve their traditions and enjoy the benefits of using bicycles as the only means of transportation, making the tour a
Tortuguero National Park
Land of turtles and wetlands
•
Caño Sirena, Guácimo
true encounter with the Caribbean culture.
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