Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
of spot where old men play dominoes on front porches and kids splash in muddy puddles
in the road.
For those intrepid enough to make the journey and stick around a while, Parismina is
also a great place to view turtles and aid in their conservation, without the crowds you'll
find at Tortuguero. Leatherbacks nest on the beach between late February and early Octo-
ber, with the peak season in April and May. Green turtles begin nesting in June, with a
peak in August and September. Hawksbills are not as common, but they are sometimes
seen between February and September.
Sportfishing is the other traditional tourist draw. The top tarpon season is from January
to mid-May, while snook are caught from September to November.
Every year around July 16, fishers and local boat captains have a small waterborne pro-
cession in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, the patron saint of sailors.
Activities
2758-6400,
8765-1280)
to explore the canals and their denizens.
Asociación Salvemos Las Tortugas de Parismina
VOLUNTEERING
(ASTOP/Save the Turtles of Parismina;
2798-2220;
www.parisminaturtles.org
;
by arrangement
Mar-Sep)
Directed by 35-year resident and former Peace Corps volunteer Vicky Taylor, this grass-
roots turtle-protection organization with strong community support employs former poach-
ers as 'turtle guides' and maintains a guarded turtle hatchery. Travelers can volunteer as
guards to patrol the beaches alongside local turtle guides. Volunteers (five-night minimum
commitment) pay a one-time US$35 registration fee, plus a daily US$10 training fee.
ASTOP also organizes homestays (per night with three meals US$17), offers internet
access (per hour US$2), and can arrange horseback-riding trips, bike rentals, turtle-watch-
ing tours (per person US$20), wildlife-viewing excursions by boat, and farm and
heliconia-garden tours in Caño Blanco.
Barrita
SWIMMING
