National Parks

TORTUGUERO

Area:
18,946 Terrestrial Ha.
52,265 Maritime Ha.

Location: On the Atlantic coast, Limon Province, 84 Km northwest of the city of Limon.

This is the most important nesting site in the entire western half of the Caribbean for the green turtle. The leatherback and hawksbill also nest along these beaches.

A natural system of canals and navigable lagoons, of great scenic beauty, cross the park from southeast to northwest forming the habitat for seven species of land turtles, the manatee or sea cow, and the crocodile. Also, a wide range of crustaceans and some 30 freshwater species of fish, including the gar (a living fossil), eel, and bull shark inhabit these waterways.

This is one of the rainiest and most biologically diverse regions in the country. Eleven habitats have been identified in the park with the crabwood, banak, Santa Maria, bully tree and dove wood among the many types of trees growing here.