Can I Get a Dehumidifier Please

Welcome to Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Our departure from the central valley of Costa Rica lead us 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. My arrival six years ago was on a plane on a skinny spit of land; this one was a more traditional route. We took our bus through the beautiful mountains and down towards the Caribbean coast. We passed the Del Monte and Chiquita banana plantations on a gravel road. In Tortuguero National Park, there are not any paved roads, so transport is either through the air or via the river canals. New Mexicans would recognize river canals as arroyos that are actually full of water and wide enough to fit a boat. Following our wheeled transport, we jumped on our boat destined for Tortuguero. Stepping off the boat, we all were immediately hit by the humidity and heat of the thick Tortuguero air.

White faced spider monkey

When I last visited Tortuguero village, Nadine and I walked through the humble city center until a crocodile impeded our path. Since then, the crocodile has found another path of more resistance for visitors. In the meantime, there has definitely been a build up of small little restaurants, souvenir shops on the southern part of the island. I have to say that the majority of my students really enjoyed the chance to jump on a water taxi at our lodge, cross the river, and part with some of their colones in the village in exchange for some ice cream or souvenirs.

How about those cool glasses

Saturday morning at the butt crack of dawn, all 27 of us jumped on two separate boats and ran around the various canals observing sloths, Jesus Christ lizards (they run across water with their webbed feet), various birds, and caimans. Back at the Picharo lodge, white-faced monkeys, howler monkeys, and spider monkeys surrounded us. We also saw a massive Pelote snake running 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.

John