Cahuita National Park

Located in the Limon province, at the Southern Caribbean coast, the Cahuita National Park is adjacent to the town of Cahuita. In 1970, this site was developed as the Cahuita National Monument and it was reformed as a National Park in 1978 and this change was approved in 1982. This is a  2,711-acre (1,097-ha) national park. In its lowland you will see different types of wild animals including white-faced monkeys, two-and three-toed sloths,  howler monkeys,  armadillos, green iguanas, blue fiddler crabs, coatimundi,  and armadillos. There are a lot of bird species including toucans, toucans, parrots and macaws. Its coral reefs host more than 35 species of coral and 400 species of fish, including graceful sea fans, colorful sunfish and sharks.

Cahuita National Park is generally hot and humid year-round. In this area unpredictable rain showers are common, though the drier months are March-May and September-November. Lowlands and beaches are protected by this park and it is visited by many tourists especially those who are interested in water activities like snorkeling and scuba diving. They will enjoy these activities in the protected marine area that include Coralline reefs and also is a nesting ground for sea turtles. 

Cahuita National Park has two ranger stations. The Kelly Creek Ranger Station (2755-0461) is at the north end, near Cahuita town, is usually followed by those who want to visit the park by walking, charges no admission fee, but a voluntary donation is requested. People who stay at the Puerto Viejo or anywhere in south of the park, they usually prefer the Puerto Vargas Ranger Station.

Roads are well developed lead to the park from both sides. In Puerto Viejo and Cahuita, you will find plenty of accommodation facilities from where you can easily go to the park for exploring its beauty.

Cahuita National Park is best know for the coral reefs close to shore. Dry season is good for snorkeling and you will likely to see light yellow brain, elkhorn, and blue staghorn corals, sea fans, and gorgonians as a back drop to the more than 500 species of fish endemic to the reefs.

Tortuguero National Park:

Tortuguero National Park is located in Limon Province of Costa Rica. 18,946 ha area including 20 miles of coastline (that is turtle nesting area) is protected by this park. Situated in a tropical climate, this area is very moist. Up to 6,400 mm of rain falls in a year.

The best way to explore the beauty of the park is to travel by boat around but it doesn’t mean that the visitor can not get a workout while exploring the nature. Tortuguero means “region of turtles” in Spanish, is home to four of the world’s eight species of green sea turtle including Leatherback, Loggerhead, Olive Ridley and Hawksbill turtles. There are also different types of animals found in this park including  jaguars, tapirs, macaws, reptiles, over 300 species of birds, and many other mammals. This park is rich in its biodiversity and its property includes swamps, mangrove forests, lagoons, beaches, and rainforest. If you are lucky enough, during the day, you can get the opportunity to watch stragglers laying eggs, but the mass arrivals occur after sundown usually under a waning moon. If you want to visit the beach at night, you will have to take a guide with you as it is not allowed to visit the beach after 6:00 p.m.