Tortuguero Tropical River Excursion

I spent two days in the Manatus nature resort near tortugara in the Northeast coastal region of Costa Rica. There is a beach across the inlet, but they don't swim in it, too dangerous they say, sharks and rip currents. They also don't swim in the rivers, also too dangerous.... Crocodiles, snakes, currents. After all we are surrounded by the rain forest and all her creatures which I got to experience this morning first hand by small open boat in the rain wearing a poncho with 6 other English speaking visitors. We started closely at the shore identifying all species of birds, plants and animals. When we entered the national Park it felt like the a strange version of a Disney boat ride with giant palm trees and forest canopy and animal sounds, but they were all real! We had a repeat tour in the other direction down the river this afternoon in the sun mostly watching birds.

Bird sightings: many species of herons, egrets, plus a gang of six great green macaws eating almonds above our boat as we putted along the bank of the river. Toucans and parakeets perching and flying and squaking. Plus some new birds I've never seen like a northern jacana and a Montezuma Orapendola? I'm totally digging my Merlin bird App!!! 🦜🐦‍⬛🐦🦚🦅

Mammals: howler monkeys, spider monkeys, and cappucin monkeys all playing high in the trees; two and three toe sloths hanging in the branches above the water's edge... SOOO cute!

Reptiles: Iguanas and Jesus lizards sunning themselves on the trees.

Also saw some bats that looked like little brown humps on a tree. I would have never spotted half these things of it weren't for our guide Bony and boat Captain Ronnie who have taken us around for the last two days and will transport us back to the mainland when we depart this place tomorrow.

I enjoyed the Sunday drive through the natural Forest and banana farms to get here. You can't reach this place by car, you have to take a boat ride east for about an hour through the Creek and Suerte River heading east. The temperature is hot and humid, so I'm muy happy there is AC! The bungalo style rooms are nice with a outdoor tropical rain shower, covered walkways, and vaulted roofs, all the better to hear the rain drops. The dining is all included and the food has been great, eating in an open air pavilion overlooking the river. I also took a swim in the pool and decided to get out because it started to rain on my dry towel. Lol!

Our itinerary included a guided excursion in the boat across the river to the little village of Tortugara, 3000 inhabitants, same as Tybee, but way different! Very narrow, pedestrian only "main Street" which was crowded with bars and shops and a mix of locals and tourist gringos in and out of boats for their little tours of the beach to learn about the turtles then a stroll through the town. I sipped coconut water out of husk a lady chopped open with her machete, then drank a Costa Rican beer at a very local open air dive where folks were gathering for their Sunday dinner of fried chicken, bananas, Cole slaw, and cervesa.

I doubt I will return to this corner of the world, but happy to have had the experience staying in this place and enjoying the nature and beauty it had to offer.

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