Costa Rica Vacations (North Caribbean Coast)

When taking a Costa Rica trip to this region  it is like entering a different world. Relatively remote and undiscovered, the pace of life is much slower. Featuring a rich and diverse coastline, the North Caribbean region of Costa Rica is especially appreciated by nature lovers who enjoy the diverse marine and wildlife.

Located inside the Limon Province, this area is a beautifully secluded  with dense forestation, meandering rivers and gorgeous lagoons. Costa Rica tours include viewing some of the country's most exotic wildlife and flora. The region is also the nesting grounds of four of the eight species of sea turtle in the world.

If fishing is part of your Costa Rica travel plans, you may be interested to know that huge schools of Atlantic tarpon (average 80 pounds) and snook are landed in the rivers and just off the Caribbean shore. In fact, the canals and rivers of the northern Caribbean coast boast some of the best snook and tarpon fishing in the world, and they are lined with lush rain forest, adding to the natural experience. Houseboats are popular here with anglers on Costa Rica holidays. 

The North Caribbean Coast is mainly made up of two national parks. The Refugio Barra del Colorado expands along Costa Rica’s northern border with Nicaragua. The Parque Nacional Tortuguero lies south of the Barra del Colorado Refuge. Access to these areas usually includes a boat tour leaving from Puerto Limon. The boat ride is a wonderful wildlife experience allowing you to spot a number of birds and animals along the way. You also have the option of flying to these parks – both have their own small airports.

Barra del Colorado

This Costa Rica refuge, Refugio Barra del Colorado in Spanish, is made up of wetlands and rainforests that provide habitat to many the country’s indigenous flora and fauna. With its many rivers, creeks and lagoons, this refuge is also a fantastic place to fish, making it one of best sport fishing destinations in inland Costa Rica. Snook, snapper, mackerel and tarpon are the main sport fish caught around here.

The best time to visit the refuge is from February to April when the weather is dry and one can spot toucans, caimans, monkeys, frogs, crocodiles, sloths, macaws, jacanas, falcons and a variety of other animals, birds and reptiles amidst the lush topical trees.

Tortugero National Park

Declared a national park in 1970 to protect the green turtle population of the world from extinction, this park is also a wildlife sanctuary for monkeys, jaguars, green macaws, tapirs, and a variety of other mammals, birds and reptiles. This rainforest park has 11 different and varied ecological habitats that include costal shrubs, swamps and evergreen forests. The flora and fauna found here are the most diverse in the country.

Protecting over 22 miles of beach strip beginning from the mouth of the Tortuguero River south to Parisimina, the park is a key nesting area for leatherback sea turtles, hawksbill sea turtles and loggerhead sea turtles as well. A great way to see the turtles nest on a Costa Rica trip is from a boat, canoe, or by a Tortugero kayak tour. Please make sure not to disturb the turtles during their nesting or mating period.

Warm, humid and rainy throughout the year, the best time to visit the Parque Nacional Tortuguero on your Costa Rica vacation is February, April or November, which are the driest months.


Costa Rica Travel Tips (North Caribbean Coast)

When planning a Costa Rica vacation that includes the North Caribbean region, keep in mind that this part of the country gets plenty of rainfall; quite a bit more than say Costa Rica’s northern Pacific Coast. Rainy most days, the weather tends to improve slightly from December to April, which is Costa Rica’s dry season. 

Activities:
•    Sport Fishing
•    Kayak Tours
•    Wildlife
•    Canopy Tours