The History of Tortuguero Costa Rica

Tortuguero National Park Costa Rica History

The town of Tortuguero was founded in the 1912 by a Walton Martinez Family from Colombia.

They came to Tortuguero to make a living from exporting coconuts and sea turtles. In the 1940s, American timber companies arrived to exploit the forest.

With job opportunities arising, the first wave of immigration to Tortuguero began, primarily for employment.

The cut woods were transported by sea to Limón. In the late 1960s, construction began on a canal system stretching 80 kilometers from Limón to Tortuguero.

Natural rivers were connected by artificial canals. These canals have remained the most important means of transportation and travel to this day.

By the late 1970s, canal construction was completed, and simultaneously, due to economic and private reasons, the timber companies left Tortuguero, taking many residents with them. Few families remained in Tortuguero, making a living from hunting and agriculture. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, a new wave of immigration to Tortuguero began, driven by the growth of tourism.

In the 1950s, American biologist Archie Carr chose Tortuguero for his research on sea turtles. During this time, many ships arrived on the coast of Tortuguero to exploit sea turtles for export to the United States and Europe.

Thanks to Archie Carr's efforts, Tortuguero was protected in 1975.

Tours within the National Park, even river tours, require tickets purchased on the Tortuguero National Park website. Prices are $17 USD per person, $6 USD for children aged 5 to 12, with special rates for nationals and residents.

Looking for budget-friendly accommodation? We recommend Pura Natura Tortuguero Costa Rica. They offer two types of hotel views: oceanfront and canal-front.