Costa Rica's National Parks

Tortuguero

Tortuguero National Park and the Barra Del Colorado Wildlife Refuge are the most important areas in the Caribbean for the nesting of the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle (Chelonia mydas).  Other species of sea turtles that also nest in the beach are the large Leatherback Sea Turtle (Dermochelys coriacea) and the Hawksbill Sea Turtle (Eretmochelys imbricata).

The park has a natural system of lagoons and navigable channels of great scenic beauty which are habitats for turtles, manatees (Trichechus manatus), caimans (Caiman cocodrylus), and for many species of freshwater fish, including tropical gars (Atractosteus tropicus).