In 1953 an American sea turtle researcher named Archie Carr traveled to the remote village of Tortuguero (“Place of the Turtles”) to investigate reports of a large turtle nesting ground. He was amazed by what he saw.
Tortuguero, Carr realized, was the most important green sea turtle nesting ground in the Western Hemisphere. Each year between June and October, tens of thousands of green sea turtles returned to the dark sand beach to lay their eggs.
Recognizing the region’s ecological importance, Carr alerted the Costa Rican government and in 1975 over 35 km (22 miles) of beach were set aside as Tortuguero National Park.
★ = Recommended
$ = Good Value
🐸 = Sustainable
Tortuguero Hotels – Luxury
★ Tortuga Lodge
★ Mawamba Lodge
★ Aninga Lodge
Evergreen Lodge
Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Pachira Lodge
Manatus Hotel
Turtle Beach Lodge
Rana Roja Lodge
Tortuguero Hotels – Moderately Priced
★ Toucan & Tarpon Lodge
Hotel Miss Junie’s
La Baula Lodge
Tortuguero Hotels – Budget
★ Aracari Garden Hostel
★ Casa Marbella
El Icaco
La Casona
Cabinas Tortuguero
Miss Miriam
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