29 November 2007
Costa Rica’s Turtles break free
Posted by richardb under: Travel and Tourism .
It is unique and gratifying sight to see small turtles smaller than the palm of your hand digging to the surface of the beach. Typically Tortuguero sees its green turtles arriving July - September and then they will hatch around 1 month after being laid. These turtles always return to the beach where they hatched and normally a full moon will bring more.
The beaches are heavily patrolled during the nesting and hatching period as smugglers tend to come onto the beaches, steel the eggs and then sell them on the black market. However some eggs are allowed to be taken as it is a delicacy in Tortuguero that has been eaten for hundreds of years. But the locals take only a small amount and also take care and watch over the other nests.
The best time to see the turtles hatching is either after 4.30PM until 6:00PM or in the early AM from 5:00AM until 6:00AM. The turtles using the fading or rising to sun to guide them. If you are lucky enough to see the turtles you will see over 80 turtles running for the beaches at once, it is a an incredible sight. It is like watching the London Marathon as they shoot from their nests and within 2 minutes are into the Ocean. It is forbidden to use flash while taking photos as this disorientates the turtles.
Recently Playa Grande on the Northern Caribbean Coast has been reclaimed by the Government after much dispute with Land owners. The problem arose due to the fact that some houses near the beach had their lights on and as the turtles use the light of the moon to guide them the other lights distracted them. In 2006 there were only 5 leatherbacks that nested at Playa Grande, and typically this amount can be over 20 times this.
While in Tortuguero you must also visit the National Park, which has a cost of $7 entrance, however probably the best $7 investment of the year. While on a recent tour Richard Bexon of Costa Rica Holiday saw 2 Boa Constrictors, Toucans, Crocodiles, Toucans and turtles. This area of Costa Rica can be compared to the Osa Peninsula however it is all based around water ways and canals.
The best hotels in the area according to Costa Rica Holiday are Hotel Manatus, which is a new line of luxury hotels in the area and by far the most luxurious and newest. Then you have Pachira and Laguna which are more basic style hotels however you are normally there for the wildlife not for the hotels.
If you are thinking of seeing the turtles make sure you have the correct time of year, Costa Rica Holiday suggests from July-September and from August -early November for the hatching.
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5 Comments so far...
ayana Says:
29 March 2008 at 4:45 pm.
I love baby turtles there sooo adorible…aww there just so small.. =]
Julie Says:
13 July 2008 at 10:20 pm.
I visited Tortuguero in May 2008 and knew it was not prime turtle nesting season. We were lucky enough (with the help of our guide) to locate a Leatherback Turtle while finishing its nest on the sand. We got to watch her finish the nest and then she headed back out to sea. Amazing!!! But I am now looking forward to a return visit during peak season to see the hatchlings!!
steph Says:
29 August 2009 at 4:14 pm.
I love lil turtles,,, i am hopefully getting some soon!!!
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