Wildlife Safari Through Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Rainforest covered mountains stretched out into the distance. My small single-engine plane began its descent towards a sliver of runway in the middle of all the green.

I was on my way to Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica. A remote area of wilderness only accessible by boat or aircraft. Despite its out-of-the-way location, it’s the country’s 3rd most visited park.

We landed, I grabbed my bag, and strolled over to a water-taxi waiting along the canal nearby. Waterways and canals weave their way throughout Tortuguero — making boats the main method of transportation here.

Visiting the Jungle

Our boat slowly puttered through Tortuguero Town. With colorful homes constructed right on the edge of the water, most residents can swim in their front yard. My destination was Evergreen Lodge, comfortable and environmentally friendly cabins located on the edge of the National Park.

There’s a network of pristine rainforest trails behind the property, allowing guests to look for wildlife. Which is exactly what I did as soon as I arrived.

The path was lined with ancient trees rising into the sky searching for water & sunlight while vines and other vegetation filled in any gaps. Parts of the trail include narrow suspension bridges that hang above tropical swampland.

Keep Your Eyes Peeled

It was on these twisting trails that I was lucky to spot one of my favorite creatures, a tiny Strawberry Poison Dart Frog. At only a few centimeters long, these frogs can be pretty difficult to find under thick jungle canopy that blocks the sunlight above.

However this particular one happened to jump from the trail into a pile of leaves as I approached, the sudden movement giving it away. I managed to get a few quick shots before it disappeared again into the underbrush.

Colorful dart frogs secreet toxins from their skin as a defense mechanism.

In fact the reason they’re called dart frogs is because indigenous groups would coat blowdarts with the poison for hunting. So don’t eat this strawberry…

Monkey Business

Tortuguero National Park is home to 3 species of monkeys, and I saw them all. Howler monkeys hoot & holler from the treetops like imaginary monsters from your worst nightmares. They work great as natural alarm clocks!

But in reality these animals aren’t as scary as they sound.

Spider monkeys and White-faced Capuchins also call the area home.

Every evening a large family of Capuchins would swing through the treetops around the cabins on the hunt for food. If you happen to be eating outside, and not paying attention, it’s possible to lose your meal! These furry critters are smart.

Touring the Canals

In the afternoon I joined local guides Michael & Eddie for a boat trip through the water canals that make up Tortuguero. As we stopped at a dock to pay the park entrance fee, a giant male green iguana could be seen on shore.

A few meters away from the iguana, a baby crocodile was sunning itself on a downed tree.

We weren’t even in the park yet and I was spotting animals all over the place!

Armed with a pair of Swarovski CL Pocket binoculars, I was able to easily spot colorful tropical birds like the Keel-Billed Toucan and endangered Green Macaw perched high in the trees along the edge of the water.

Animals Everywhere

What else did I spy on the 2 hour safari trip through Tortuguero? All kinds of birds, like the Snowy Egret, Bare-Throated Tiger Heron, and Anhinga. We found a few speckled Caimans (in the crocodile family) and a Black River Turtle too.

Along with all the wildlife, simply cruising slowly through the jungle canals listening to the animals was very peaceful and relaxing.

Back at the lodge I feel into a deep sleep as powerful evening rains poured down over my cabin. They don’t call it a rainforest for nothing!

Sea Turtle Surprise

The most popular reason to visit Tortuguero National Park is an army of Green Sea Turtles that lay their eggs on the black sand beaches each year. However most of the baby turtles hatch in September & October.

As this was early December, I was too late to witness babies running for the ocean. Or so I thought…

Before I caught my flight out in the morning, Henry from Evergreen asked if I’d like to join him to search for any delayed hatchlings. With his 16 years of wildlife guiding experience, we might just have a chance.

After an hour of searching old nests with him, we found some. A sea turtle can lay about 100 eggs in a “clutch”, and this particular nest had 3 stragglers. I watched them run awkwardly through the sand into waves as the morning sun rose.

A wonderful end to my Tortuguero wildlife experience in Costa Rica. ★

Travel Planning Resources For Costa Rica

Accommodation: Evergreen Lodge Packing Guide Check out my travel gear guide to help you start packing for your trip. Book Your Flight Ready to fly? Here’s how I find the cheapest airline flights. Rent A Car Discover Cars is a great site for comparing car prices to find a deal. Cheap Accommodation Learn how I save money booking hotels & vacation apartments. Protect Your Trip Don’t forget travel insurance! Protect yourself from possible injury & theft abroad. Read why you should always carry travel insurance.