Tortuguero Local Customs

We were unable to see any turtle nesting as we were there in February, which is about the only time that no nesting takes place.

There are several species of turtles that nest, and their nesting seasons overlap somewhat.

Green turtles are the most important species that nest at Tortuguero. An estimated 30,000 turtles come ashore every year between June and October. The greatest number arrive in September. Each female arrives two to six times, at 10- to 14-day intervals, and waits two or three years before nesting again. In spite of park protection, there is still some stealing of turtle eggs from the beaches, and armed men with high-speed boat try to catch the turtles at sea.

Mid-February through July, giant leatherback turtles also arrive to lay their eggs (with greatest frequency April-May).

Female hawksbill turtles nest in July.

The Costa Rican National Park website says:

Turtle Walks: No one is allowed on the 22-mile nesting sector without a guide after 6 p.m. Only 400 people are allowed on the beach per night, apportioned by sector; 200 maximum every two hours. Local guides escort walks at 8-10 p.m. and 10 p.m.-midnight each evening in turtle-nesting season ($10, including guide, who alone can buy tickets to access the beach at night). Strict rules and guidelines are enforced for turtle watching: no cameras or flashlights are permitted (they'll be confiscated); keep quiet, as the slightest noise can send the turtle hurrying back to sea; and keep a discreet distance. That said, a conservationist ethic is still tenuous among the local population, and you still find turtle meat and eggs for sale. You are asked to report any guide who digs up turtle hatchlings to show you--this is absolutely prohibited. Turtles are endangered; respect them.

There are no cars in Tortuguero at all. The only way to get around is by boat or foot. Some days it is as busy as a freeway & other days like a country road. At night there is a fair bit of "traffic" as residents go up & down the canal visiting.

I guess Canadians are not the only ones with an affinity for adorning the sides of their buildings with murals (see my Moosejaw page). How many species can you identify?

Let's see: there's the trogon, the red-lored parrot, the lovely cotinga, the scarlet-rumped tanager.....

One of the surprises that I came across in my wonderings around town. I was startled to come upon this brightly colored little chapel, just as pretty as can be under the swaying palms and surrounded by lush vegetation. Looks simple and functional.

Every police station in Costa Rica is painted shades of blue and they have the shield of crossed guns over the door or on the side of the building.

Costa Rica does not have a standing army, but armed police are everywhere. Some of them are heavily armed, so I understand.

The police provide the dual function of investigating criminal activity and preserving the national peace. Everywhere we went in Costa Rica, there was a police garrison nearby. And you did not have to look hard to find an officer out walking the beat. To me, Costa Rica seemed like a safe place, but as in all modern societies it is best to keep your wits about you because muggings and pickpocketings are not unknown.

One interesting aspect of Costa Rica is the use of gates, bars and barbed wire to keep intruders out of almost every kind of building. almost every home that I saw in Costa Rica had bars across the windows, doors, verandas, gardens, proches etc. Some buildings went to another level and strung barbed wire or razor wire over the bars. I understand protecting personal property, but I'd hate to live behind bars. I'd also hate to go to school in a classroom that was behind iron bars. This is a cultural difference that I do not think I could adapt to very easily.

Mom looks pretty serious, but as always the youngsters are looking for ways to goof off.

I always feel self-conscious when taking candids of people. I'm not the type of person that can get right up in someone's face and snap a photo (no future as a paparazi for me). So almost all of the photos that you see of people on these pages were taken from a lon distance using a telephoto lense. Even though momma seems to be staring me down--I don't think she even knew I was in the vicinity.

I shot this photo from a distance and did not hear the man play his guitar. But looking at the photo, I become quite melancholy. The man is missing his right hand--something I did not notice until I viewed the picture at home. It must be extremely difficult to make ends meet in Tortuguero with such a disability.