Tortuguero

Population 600 This little village is at the north end of the national park. Several places have boats for hire. You can paddle your own dugout canoe for about US$1.50 per person per hour, or go with a guide for twice that. It is worth hiring a guide, at least for a few hours, because you are able to see so much more.

In the center of the village is an informative kiosk explaining the natural history, cultural history, geography and climate of the region. The community appears to take some pride in 'its' turtles and national park. Instead of harvesting the turtles, the people exploit them and the accompanying park in nondestructive yet economically satisfactory ways, especially tourism.

Caribbean Conservation Corporation

The CCC, about one km north of Tortuguero, has a worthwhile visitor's center explaining turtle conservation and research work; hours are daily 9 am to noon and 2 to 5 pm. An 18-minute video is shown on request. Admission is free but donations are welcomed. The CCC also has a US office; both.6ffices can be reached by email.

Cerro de Tortuguero

This 119-meter-high hill, about six krn north of the village, is the highest point on the coast north of Lim6n. You need to hire a boat to get there. The path is very steep and usually muddy but has good views of the forest, canals, sea and birds. I saw several howler monkeys hanging out in the trees below the trail.

Boating

Several places north of the park entrance have boats for rent. You can paddle a dugout canoe for US$1.25 to US$1.50 per hour, or go with a guide for twice that (per person). Local guides include Damma, Bananero and Jim.

Motorboat tours are substantially more expensive. These tours cover more ground, and boatmen normally switch the motor off and paddle for a while.