Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero is all about turtles. Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered Green Turtle in the Western Hemishpere. The Green Sea Turtle is the largest hard shell turtle. Because they come out to nest at night, no one is allowed on the 22-mile nesting sector without a guide after 6 p.m. Only 400 people are allowed on the beach per night. Parque Nacional Tortuguero extends north along the coast for 22 km. There is no road to get here. The access is by boat or by small plane. The park consists of an intricate network of blackwater canals and creeks as well as magnificent rainforest environment. It has 11 ecological habitats, from high rainforest to herbaceous marsh communities. Tortuguero shelters a fabulous array of wildlife, including more than 300 bird species. 57 species of amphibians and 111 of reptiles, including three species of marine turtles; 60 mammal species, including 13 of Costa Rica's 16 endangered species, including jaguars, tapirs, ocelots, cougars, river otters, and manatees. Commonly seen birds include toucans, aricaris, oropendolas, swallow-tailed hawks, several species of herons, kingfishers, anhingas, parrots, and jacanas. There are also crocodiles, giant iguanas, basilisk lizards , as well as howler and capuchin monkeys.

The most popular way to get to the Park is with the tour. I got picked up by the Lodge bus and driven to the area where we took a boat. On the way, we spot many animals. There is a sloth up in this tree.	A close up of a sloth. They are hard to spot as they barely move.	We finally get to the boat. There is much to observe already.
Purple birds.	We are going fast to the lodge. There will be time for exploring.	Tortuguero area is all canals and more canals.
There is no other way to get anywhere but by boats.	The previous night we went on a night adventure to see the giant turtles. It was a magical experience-the moon above us, darkness of the night around, roaring ocean, and the silhoutte of the magnificent sea creature emerging from the bottoms of the ocean into the beach. This picture shows the tracks of the turtles.	Everywhere I look, there are turtle tracks from previous nights. They are amazing and magical creatures. No pictures were allowed to be taken but i will definitely take their presence with me whereever I go.
All along the beach there are the holes dug out by them for nesting.	One of the turtles we saw was in the middle of the nesting process. We could see the eggs coming out of her!!!! It was amazing. During a day, you can see many places with eggs laying around-although they are supposed to be underneath the sand for the young ones to hatch.	These ones seem to be already open. They are the same eggs as in the previous picture.
Another turtle we saw came out of the ocean, went into the beach only to return to the water. They do that sometimes-find some unexpected obstacle and change their minds. This the photo of the place where the turtle made a U-turn.	Coconuts are everywhere. Some are even growing to become trees.	The beach is not really for people to picnic. It is a turtle beach
More tracks everywhere I look.	I also discover more holes in the ground made by turtles.	Three lonely eggs.
The atmosphere around the park and the canals is very mysterious. There is a strong energy here. It feels like entering another dimension.	It can't be really seen from the pictures but the ambience of this area is very unique. There is ancient and highly spiritual presence here.	At this point, the canal meets with the ocean.
People live in a very basic way. They travel by boats of course too.	Houses are simple.	Tortuguero town.
People's dwellings are spread along the canals.	Simple, but natural living.	We venture into the more secluded parts of the park.
We look more for the wildlife. Here, we spotted a cayman.	There is a great abundance of birds. There, up on a branch, there is a bird from a Tucan family.	Everyone carefully looks for any type of animals.
How exciting! Its my first time I am seeing a real monkey!!!	There is a whole family of them here-4 or 5, jumping from one branch to another. Amazing!	We are all very excited. Monkeys are something everyone always is eager to see.
I am not sure what kind of monkey that is but it is definitely a monkey!!	Its so great to be able to observe it in the wild.	So far, i only saw them in the zoo.
In contrast to sloths, they are very active moving around a lot.	Back to the canals. It's very peaceful here.	The energy of the Tortuguero Park is healing.You have to be there, however, to understand and feel it.
Birds, and more birds.	One of the locals in his boat.	More houses.
...and more.	This is a floating supermarket-delivery of products.	Yes, more houses.
A variety of trees is incredible.	Sun is setting already.	Another tour from another lodge. There is a great number of tourists in this area. But it is still quiet-the park is very large and wild.
We go into one of the smaller canals again to see what animals we come across.	We go slowly to look carefully.	Some of the trees are very tall.
We spotted a big lizard.	I dont know its name, unfortunately.	This is our guide girl-Eugenia-the best guide I have ever had.
This is the Tortuguero Hill - the remains of old volcano.	The volcano exploded long time ago.	All that is left is a big wall of trees.
Time to go back. It's getting dark for good now.	Before it gets completely dark, though, i go to the beach to have a look at it before the night.	There is no one here and it's good to be alone with the elements of nature.
Interesting colors.	This is the entrance to our lodge, Lagune Lodge.	Sand is very dark, almost black.
I am fascinated by the changing colours of the sky	and how they affect the atmoshpere of the place.	There is a TURTLE!!!!!...Haha.No, it is only a piece of wood.
I got up at 5 am each day to look for hatching baby turtles. They are supposed to be coming out at this time. Unfortunately, I saw none. I was not lucky.	I found more eggs, though. This one is heavy. There is definitely a turtle inside.	The shell is very soft.
I found more new holes.	Sun rising.	Time to leave the park. I do not feel like leaving as there is something very soothing and mystique about this area. It may be the presence of the turtles that adds to the ambience. They definitely leave part of their magnificent energy in the land. I don't want to go back to civilization.
Goodbye, Tortuguero.	We see more birds on the way back.	We stop to admire them and take photos.
This is almost at the exit from the park. What an interesting looking cow!	And there is more of them.	Goodbye, wildlife! I had an unforgettable time!