Tortuguero National Park

Dark brown waters in the 160 km of inland canals crisscross untamed, low-lying forests and mangrove swamps of the northeast region, allowing traditional means (motor boats) of transportation between tiny villages and plantations. The Amazon-like canals provide a window on the environment and are a wonderful way to see birds, monkeys and other wildlife. Of the 16 endangered mammals in Costa Rica, 13 of them are found in the parks or nearby. The 405 bird species recorded here, dwarf the number found in the entire European continent.

But it is the sea turtle that everyone comes to see. No matter how far they roam, turtles, like children, invariably come back to nest on the same beach where they born. Four of the world`s eight turtle species nest at Tortuguero at various times a year. The largest, leatherbacks, nest in March and April and hatch May through June. Far common are green turtles, who nest July through June. Far more common are green turtles, who nest July through September - the best time to visit.