Costa Rica 2019 Day 9 - Tortuguero

I left for Tortuguero today, bright and early at 5:40am via Exploradores Outdoors.  Two others from the hotel also went.  I was so sleepy. As were others on the bus.  The first stretch was a 2.5 hour ride to the EO Siquirres main location, where we have breakfast and switch buses.

On the drive over, I swear there were two sloths on trees.  Balls in the trees...But too bad we were going too fast for me to confirm.  I'll just believe that I did. :)

At the EO office, breakfast was rice with beans, scrambled eggs, yogurt, granola, fruit, toast, juice, coffee.  I ended up meeting and eating with a couple folks from Seattle too.  What a small world.  They are doing it right though...a gap year and two months stay.

We switched buses, gathering all the folks who arrived on other buses and also headed to Tortuguero.  I like their business solution to this common problem of getting from point A to B.  Everyone goes to this hub, then you swap destinations accordingly.  I'll be back here in another week when I raft back to Alajuela!

On the second bus, we encountered some really bumpy roads. I got sleepy again.  Funny how I could still sleep through the bumps.

The last leg of the journey was the boat ride.  We had 14 people in our group, so a smaller boat.  I preventatively took motion sickness pills in the morning, and wore my sea bands.  I didn't feel nauseous at all, but also the water was pretty calm.

As we rode through the water for about an hour, it did feel like we were on the waterways in the Amazon.  We weren't even in the small canals so I imagine it'd feel even more so once off the main waterways.

Similar boat to the one I was on

For some reason I thought the boat would drop me off at Casa Marbella, or next door.  But, it was instead the "Roots" hotel and dock.  Still, a very short walk to the hotel.  Five minutes to the left.  I was able to check-in early, a little after 12pm.  I had a nice room, #4, which is ground floor facing the river. It is quieter on this side, and the view!

For lunch, I aimlessly strolled to find a place, but before I knew it, it was the end of the village and I was at the entrance to the national park.  I had to purchase my ticket beforehand anyways, because the boat tour can be expedited if everyone has a ticket already.

Found a lunch spot, La Calubra, and got a burrito with fries.

After lunch, I visited the Sea Turtle Conservancy because of good reviews.  I got a little turned around though.  Was continuing to walk on the main road, but eventually ended up in another hotel's private property.  Instead, I should be walking along the beach, or the other small road that is parallel to it.

As I was walking around, I was reminded of how tiny the town really is.  There's definitely a small village feel.  No cars, just people riding bikes sometimes.  And again, I couldn't help but wonder if the tourism business is helping with getting the village what they need.  There were areas of trash just strewn about.  And again, kids not having opportunities for education.  I hope the money does improve the local community.

Small Tortuguero town

As I was trying to find the Sea Turtle Conservancy, I stumbled across a tour group pointing upwards, taking a lot of photos and using their binoculars.  Green macaws! Huge green macaws.  There were so many, I lost count.  A couple were fighting, and most were being very vocal and screaming.  So amazing to see them in the wild.  I hate that people from the US have grown accustomed to the parrots being pets.  Seeing them in the wild is  great, they are free as they should be.

I finally got to the STC, and it was a bit of a madhouse. There were multiple tour groups that were already there and just arriving. It was a bit hectic, especially since the museum is so small.  Regardless, I still wanted to check it out, and waited a bit for the large group to clear out of the movie-playing area.

The STC does a lot of work in education and research.  Tortuguero is the first National Park of the country, with the many turtles and rich ecosystems here.  It is incredibly sad to think how often the turtles were caught for meat and trade.  The pictures that the video showed...so horrible.  But, it's such great news that its illegal now, and locals' perceptions have changed. I have a soft spot for sea turtles.  Such cute gentle giants.

Exterior of the Sea Turtle Conservatory

After STC, I enjoyed the beach for a while.  It definitely has a rugged and wild feel to it. Very beautiful.  Large waves, huge dense trees just behind you with beautiful birds and creatures nearby.

Beautiful, rugged Tortuguero beach

For dinner, I didn't feel like wandering far.  I heard some music coming from a large building and thought it might be a night market of some sort?  Nope.. it was a venue for children to play and they played loud music.

Cute pup who kept me company

But, stumbled upon the restaurant right next to it, Donde Peca, also with loud music and looked like locals eating there.  Sat outside with the cute stray dogs.  I wonder who takes care of them.

Changed things up and refrained from casadas, rice, and burritos. Nachos instead.  Americans definitely overdo this.  This variety had beans, meat, and a ton of salad and tomatoes.  It actually seemed healthy and more like a salad.  American variety?  More toppings.  More this.  More that.  The total was higher than any other meal on my trip, probably because I added a coke. $7.49.

I have an early morning canal tour with Victor from Casa Marbella at 5:45am tomorrow...so need to rest early.