Turtle Paradise

After a 20 minute boat ride through the Canales de Tortuga, we arrived at the Pacuare Turtle Reserve, a scientific station situated right on an amazing beach. Staffed by mostly volunteers, it featured rustic cabins, mainly vegetarian food, and no electricity. Right out back was pure Costa Rican jungla, where we would later see the likes of eyelash pit vipers, blue herons, a array of frogs, and howler monkeys.

As one of the most important nesting sites for the endangered Leatherback Sea Turtles, the residential staff is vigilant and dedicated. We were excited to learn what exactly was involved in turtle salvation. Though nest excavation and miles-long treks along the beach at ungodly hours, we got to know these incredible creatures in a way most people will never experience. There is no footage of the adults (they come onto the beach in the dark and you may not shine any white light in their direction), but here is look at one of the babies making his way out into the world:



Now just imagine that cute little tortugita blown up to a length of 4 feet and you'd have mama leatherback, whom we met later on that night. These creatures are amazing and have been around for millions of years - it really was like seeing a dinosaur. There are many at sea dangers for babies and adults alike, but the turtle station is doing a lot to make sure poachers and wild animals don't eat the eggs or hatchlings before they have a chance to make it into the ocean.

When we weren't saving turtles, we played in the water and dozed on the beach. It was quite relaxing and a terrific end to a really intense, really diverse, really fantastic Costa Rican adventure.