Costa Rica's Sea Turtles

And the Pacuare Nature Reserve

Costa Rica’s Pacuare Nature Reserve is located between the coastal lowlands and the country's highest mountain range and constitutes one of the most important protected areas of major biological importance. High annual rainfall, along with its proximity to the lowlands and lower altitudes, combine to nurture the Pacuare's complex life systems whose abundance make this area a place of extraordinary scenic beauty. This area is still inhabited by the Cabecares Indians.

The Pacuare Nature Reserve was founded to protect and study the magnificent leatherback and green turtles that nest in the region. The reserve recently began accepting visitors. While at the Pacuare Reserve during their Costa Rica tour, travelers stay at an active scientific research station, which doubles as lodging for travelers. The lodge overlooks the beach and a freshwater lagoon which opens on to the main Tortugero canal.

While staying at the Pacuare Reserve, guests are invited to assist the biologists in their “turtle patrols.” During nesting season, it is the job of the traveler to walk the beach looking for leatherbacks laying eggs. When a turtle is found, travelers will wait with the researcher until the turtle is done laying eggs. They’ll have the chance to approach the turtle and assist in measuring and tagging it before the giant leatherback returns to the sea. Poachers are also a major threat to the turtles – travelers are also given the essential responsibility to carefully dig up and rebury the turtle eggs in another location, thus confusing and discouraging poachers from finding the nest.

Later in the season when the eggs begin to hatch, visitors may see hundreds of baby leatherbacks making their way to the shoreline. Hatching is a grueling process. Travelers may be asked to assist the tiny turtles that are trapped in the packed sand of the nest. Loosening the sand may allow some of the hatchlings at the bottom of the nest a chance to make it to the sea. While the baby leatherbacks are emerging from their nests, enormous green sea turtles come to the beach to lay their eggs. Travels will also have the opportunity to measure, tag and hide the nests of these endangered turtles on this Costa Rica tour.

On Adventure Life’s Turtles and Rainforest 8-day tour, travelers have the opportunity to visit the Pacuare Reserve. Following their stay at the reserve, visitors then spend the next 3 days at the Selva Bananito Reserve. Bordering Costa Rica’s largest and most pristine nature reserve, Selva Bananito is part of the same rich ecosystem as the 1.5 million acre La Amistad International Peace Park. The final day of this Costa Rica tour is spent whitewater rafting on the Pacuare River. This river is among the most celebrated in the world for its spectacular rafting opportunities and beautiful surroundings.

Costa Rica Turtles and Rainforest Tour
(8 days / 8 nights)

Highlights – Pacuare Nature Reserve, Selva Bananito Lodge, La Amistad Biosphere, Turtle Research Station, Pacuare Whitewater rafting

Day 1: Arrive San Jose
Overnight

Day 2: Pacuare Nature Reserve
Today make your way to the Pacuare Nature Reserve along the Caribbean Sea. You’ll have the evening to meet with the biologists and join in the search for your first leatherback turtle.

Day 3: Turtles and River Canals
Take a stroll along the secluded shoreline - the morning beaches are scarred with tractor-like tracks of last night’s leatherback turtles. Then take an afternoon boat trip through the adjacent canals and into the reserve’s primary rainforest. The Pacuare Reserve’s canals are home toucans, herons, parrots and such rainforest mammals as peccaries, sloths, howler, spider and capachin monkeys, and the rare puma.
As the sun sets you will accompany one of the reserve’s biologists on their turtle rounds. Quietly walk the beaches looking for leatherback turtles laying their eggs. During this Costa Rica tour, visitors will have the rare opportunity to help the biologists measure, tag, and carefully dig up the nests, hiding the eggs from destructive poachers in the region. Later in the season, travelers have the chance to view the leatherback hatchings, and the green sea turtle make their way to take their turn at laying their eggs.
Day 4-6 Retreat to Selva Bananito
In the late morning you travel to the jungles of the Selva Bananito Reserve. The reserve is part of the same ecosystem as the La Amistad International Peace Park. Your days at Selva Bananito are spent horseback riding, exploring the rainforest canopy, visiting an organic tropical farm, hiking through the wild-rich jungle, or a day trip to a 70 foot waterfall.

Day 7: Whitewater Rafting
Today, tackle the Class III-IV whitewater of the Pacuare River. One of Costa Rica’s most exciting and celebrated whitewater trips, the Pacuare takes its rafters through mountain gorges and passes through virgin rainforest. This afternoon head back to San Jose.

Day 8: Return Home

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