Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Parque Nacional Cahuita
A patch of coastal jungle is home to armadillos, monkeys
and sloths, while the protected reef is one of the most important on the coast.
Parque Nacional Tortuguero
Jungle canals obscure snoozing caimans, while howler,
spider and capuchin monkeys traipse overhead. The star attraction, however, are the sea
turtles, which nest here from March to October.
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Barra del Colorado
A remote park that draws
fishing enthusiasts who come to hook species such as snook, tarpon and gar.
Refugio Nacional de Vida Silvestre Gandoca-Manzanillo
A rich rainforest and wet-
land tucked away along the country's southeastern border, with rivers full of manatee, cai-
man and crocodile.
Dangers & Annoyances
The Caribbean coast region has had a bad reputation over the years for being more danger-
ous than other parts of Costa Rica. In reality, crime levels against tourists are no higher
here than in any other part of the country. As anywhere else, exercise common sense.
A bigger problem is the sea: riptides get ferocious (even in shallow water) and in the
north, sharks are a regular presence. Swim in safe areas - if unsure, ask a local.
Getting There & Around
When traveling to Puerto Limón and the southern Caribbean, it's easy enough to hop on
any of the regular buses from San José. Buses also connect most towns along the coast,
from Sixaola, on the Panamanian border, to Puerto Limón. The roads are in good condi-
tion, so driving is also an option.
The north is a little trickier. Much of the area is only linked up by waterways, making
boats the sole means of transport. Puerto Limón, Tortuguero, Parismina and Barra del Col-
orado all have landing strips, but only Tortuguero has daily commercial flights.
THE ATLANTIC SLOPE
The idea was simple: build a port on the Caribbean coast and connect it to the Central Val-
ley by railroad, thereby opening up important shipping routes for the country's soaring
coffee production. Construction began in 1871, through 150km of dense jungles and
muddy mountainsides along the Atlantic slope. It took almost two decades to build the
