Turtle Beach Lodge

From the September 6, 2009 issue of La Nacion - translated into English.

Tortuguero, Limón. Tortuguero National Park celebrated a spectacular 2009 season of green turtles nesting on the beach.

The green turtle (Chelonia mydas) is a marine species considered in danger of extinction that stands out because they are 'vegetarian', possess a hard shell, measure over a meter long and can weigh up to 200 kilos.

* Residents fight for turtle conservation

The animal's skin is brown, gray or black and it has yellow-edged scales on the head. The turtles migrate across open seas, especially in the Caribbean, and spawn here in Costa Rica every year between July and October.

Normally, after visiting these beaches, scientists can count more than 150,000 nests per season.

However, in the previous year, the count was down about 69,768 nests over the recorded nests in the 2007 nesting season in 2007 (177,620), which raised fears about the decline in this population of turtles.

However, this year, scientists now breathe a sigh of relief because as of Friday they had counted 8785 nests of turtles, 189 more than those found in September, 2008. This indicates that this season could be far more successful than previous ones on record.



Moonlit night.
The morning of Wednesday, September 3 was a good example of the good health of this population of turtles in the country.

That night they recorded at least 20 turtles nesting in the eight miles of public beach access. Remember, this park has 28 miles of beach.

Between 0 hours and 3 am, at the start of the first two kilometers, five green turtles lay their eggs in the warm sand.

In the remaining six miles monitored by volunteers and park guides 15 other turtle nests were found.

Each of the turtles took about two hours for their egg laying ritual. First, with great difficulty she dragged her body to her chose site.

"We do not know exactly how they select the space, but it is believed that they know the temperature and humidity of the sand because if this is too hot or too wet, the eggs will decompose. "That's one scenario," said guard Jorge Cedeno, who has worked there for 10 years.

The turtles then dig pits 50 to 75 inches deep in dry sand. Unlike other turtle species, the green nests the vegetation close to the beach, about 20 meters from the water.

In each nest, the turtles lay about 110 round, yellow eggs. Then they cover the hole with moist sand for camouflage. "Hopefully, in about 60 days, the newborn turtles make their way to the sea," said one of the guards.

"We're excited because we believe that there has been a substantial improvement in the population of green turtles in Tortuguero", Emma Harrison, scientific director of the Caribbean Conservation Corporation (CCC) told La Nacion.

This organization has 50 years researching the behavior of sea turtles.

According to scientific evidence that the health of this population of turtles is good in the area.

She also stressed that the surge in nests result in benefits for the 1,300 residents of Tortuguero, which subsist on tourism.

"Now there are more turtles here, and I think that is a result of the protection of recent years", said Wilfredo Sanchez, naturalist guide for 11 years.

Some of the tours offered at Turtle Beach Lodge include -


On Site Tours

Remarkable adventures await you right on the grounds of Turtle Beach Lodge. Our 175 acre property always provides something exciting to see or do! Stroll along the Caribbean Sea, fish in the surf or canal, explore the acres of unspoiled jungle, swim in the pool, relax in the hammock hut or bar and games area or kayak the adjoining Canal of Palms - all without leaving the property.


Turtle Beach Lodge Guided Tours

The following guided tours are available by reservation. Your guide will help you choose which tours you would like to include during your stay. Don't forget your camera, as each tour offers one of a kind photo opportunities for both professional and amateur photographers.




Garden Tour
The Garden Tour provides the opportunity to explore the plants and flowers grown in the gardens of Turtle Beach Lodge. From the tour of the medicinal garden to learn the local uses of medicinal plants to hearing how the developers and gardeners at Turtle Beach Lodge contribute to the health and preservation of our turtle population, you will come away from the Garden Tour with a new appreciation and enjoyment of the foliage of Costa Rica and the gardens of the lodge.




Tortuguero National Park and Canal Tours
The black waters of the lodge's private canal, the Canal of Palms and throughout the National Park is caused by the tannins from certain trees that grow in the area. The canal waters flow slowly, which cause a dramatic mirror image reflection of the lush foliage that is constantly changing. This tour is slow paced, with many opportunities for asking questions, spotting wildlife and pondering the magic of the unique waterways. The sights and sounds vary from day to day, but typically, wildlife is active early in the morning, while a sunny afternoon is perfect to find fresh water turtles, caiman and lizards sunning on logs along the banks of the canals. There is an additional charge of $10.00 per person to enter Tortuguero National Park.




Turtle Watching Tour (in season)
The Atlantic Green Turtles have been coming to the Caribbean beaches of Tortuguero for centuries to lay their eggs. Much has been researched and written about them. When the baby turtles grow to adulthood they return to the same beach where they were hatched. At Turtle Beach Lodge you have the unique opportunity to witness these magical events! During the prime season from June through early October we offer nightly turtle watching tours with Tortuguero National Park guides.




Tortuguero Town Tour
The town of Tortuguero has a fairly basic life style. Wash is done by hand and hung on trees, bushes, and occasionally a clothes line. With the frequency of showers, sometimes it hangs there for days. There are no cars and as you walk through the town you will find children at play like anywhere else in the world. The play will be imaginative and simple like it was before television and computers, though internet HAS made it to Tortuguero and there is even an internet cafe. There are a few shops and restaurants in Tortuguero and be sure to walk the little foot paths among the houses. These paths are the roads of the town. To venture down them is to discover rustic charm as if from another time.