Man Made Tortuguero River
Tortuguero Planes, Boats, and Automobiles
Our arrival to humid air of Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Our departure from the central Costa Rica valley lead this ambling group of teenagers and educators on the trek to the Caribbean coastal town of Tortuguero, the place where Nadine and I spent part of our honeymoon six and a half years ago. The arrival six years ago was on a plane onto a skinny spit of land locked between a man made Tortuguero River to the west and the ocean just meters away to the east. This time, it was a more traditional route. Our bus passed under lush green mountains and descended towards the Caribbean coast. The gravel road crossed Del Monte and Chiquita banana plantations. In Tortuguero National Park, devoid of any paved roads, transport consisted of air travel or slowly via the river canals. New Mexicans might recognize river canals as arroyos that are actually full of water and wide enough to fit a boat.
Following our ground transportation, a boat destined for Tortuguero waited for us on the last leg. Stepping off the boat, the Tortuguero humidity and head immediately blasted us through the thick air.
Local Costa Rican Transport
A Observant White Faced Monkey
A Colón For An Ice Cream in Tortuguero
During the last visit to Tortuguero, Nadine and I walked through the center of this humble village until a crocodile impeded the path and we quickly turned around and headed the other direction. Fortunately since that interaction, the crocodile found another path of resistance. Over the last half decade a spattering of small restaurants and souvenir shops emerged on the southern part of the island.
When the opportunity to leave the isolation of our lodge presented itself, the majority of my students jumped at the chance of a water taxi across the river. Soon, they also left many of their colones in the village in exchange for ice cream and souvenirs.
Cool Glasses for a Humid Place
Walking On Water in Tortuguero
Early enough to see the butt crack of dawn, our entire group of 27 boarded two separate engine propelled boats and crisscrossed the various canals observing from a distance sloths, Jesus Christ lizards (they run across water with their webbed feet), a plethora of birds I couldn’t identify, and caimans. Back at the Pachira Lodge, white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys surrounded us. Just for some extra frightening excitement, a massive Pelote snake ran across the walls of one of the lodges.
Our time in Tortuguero was short, hot and sweet, like some platanos fritos, and appreciated.
Next stop, Bocas del Toro in Panamá
Always Traveling With The Family
Don’t Throw That Poopy Paper In The Toilet
