Pages on this website may contain affiliate links. If you make a purchase using one of these links, Wander for Days may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. For more information, refer to our Privacy Policy.
Arriving in Costa Rica
With so many wonderful places to explore in this big, wide world, it’s not very often that I choose to make a return trip so soon. But, when my auntie asked me to travel to Costa Rica with her – one of my favorite places with one of my favorite people! – how could I say no?
We landed in Costa Rica at 7:30 p.m. to find it was already dark, a quick reminder that being so close to the equator, days and nights are each roughly 12 hours long and sunset occurs around 6 p.m.
One night in San José
If you fly into the Juan Santamaría International Airport (SJO), consider spending the night at the Bougainvillea Hotel just outside the capital city of San José, for a good night’s sleep before making the trek to Tortuguero. If you arrive early enough, plan to enjoy a light cosada dinner at their onsite restaurant – a typical Costa Rican meal consisting of chicken, beans, rice and salad. In the morning, you’ll wake to all the vibrant colors and sounds of Costa Rica.
[Click on images to enlarge]
Caribbean Side (East Coast) | Limón Province, Tortuguero
Getting to Tortuguero from San José requires a drive, then a boat ride through the Tortuguero Canals, to arrive at Manatus Hotel in the heart of the Tortuguero National Park. Walking in the national park is prohibited – and often dangerous – everyplace but on the resort property or through the village, so getting from place-to-place requires a boat ride on the canals. For this reason, all meals are included with your stay at Manatus Hotel in their onsite, open-air restaurant.
Visit the village of Tortuguero
After getting settled, take a boat ride back to the village of Tortuguero – a protected area at the edge of the national park. The village is little more than a main street lined with souvenir shops, restaurants, grocery stores and places to sit and enjoy a cold drink (or fresh coconut).
It’s possible here to walk along the beach bordering the Caribbean Sea during daylight hours, but walking on the beach is prohibited at night (even for locals). This is the nesting place for turtles at different times throughout the year (especially between late-August and November) and is very special to the region.
We learned from our guide about Tortuguero’s history of settlement, originally to hunt the turtles, though its transformation into a national park and turtle sanctuary. The people native to Tortuguero have much to be proud of.
Spend a day exploring the canals
Seeing the rain forest from a boat on the canal is a special way to spend a day. The wildlife in Tortuguero is plentiful and so very representative of Costa Rica. Meandering the canals through the national park, your eagle-eyed guide will share so many wildlife spottings and education. Some species you might see, include:
- Green macaws partying in the almond trees
- Spider monkeys climbing trees and swinging from branch-to-branch
- Two-toed sloths lounging in the trees
- Caiman alligators, Jesus Christ lizards and iguanas
- Pelicans, egrets and herons
If you’re lucky, your boat captain might speed up-river to where it meets the Caribbean Sea. The power and majesty of that transition is incredible to see.
Take a night hike
At twilight and into the dark, you can take a guided nature hike into the rain forest. But make sure you cover yourself with insect repellent. There are SO… MANY… MOSQUITOES!
The rain forest at night is something altogether different and spectacular. It is incredible how dark it gets so quickly, and the volume of the forest sounds. Along the hike, you might see:
- Tiny poison dart frogs and giant bullfrogs
- Land crabs, golden webs and owl butterflies
- And maybe… if you’re really lucky… more sloths sleeping in the trees
If you’re from the Midwest, you might mistake the flickering glow of the click beetles for fireflies.
And, at times, you might see absolutely nothing (it’s that dark).
