The station is simple. It is dorm-style living, although I consider it more ‘hostel-like’ with 5 other roommates. No A/C, but we do have electricity, and of course wifi. There is a kitchen in one building where the cook prepares 3 meals per day for everyone to eat together. A visitor’s center is located at the end of the property strategically placed to receive tourists that arrive by boat from lodges in nearby areas, and by the trail that connects the station to the village of Tortuguero.
The location of the Sea Turtle field station. We walk 5 miles of beach on the narrow strip of land between the river and sea.
If you stand in the middle of the station, you can see the river on one side and the Caribbean Sea on the other. It’s a great location with a huge amount of biodiversity. On one end of the village, there are great trails through the jungle in which to go frog hunting.
Entrance to the field station.
Our living quarters
Palm trees provide excellent shade at the station. Sometimes you can see bats sleeping under the fronds.
The trail that leads to the village.
You get used to the bugs. Costa Rica has incredible biodiversity and insects are no different. I discover new invertebrates each day, and ants are everywhere – on the walls, in light sockets, bathrooms, kitchens, bedrooms, trees and ground. They are everywhere you look. When I explore the station, I always cross paths with leaf cutter ants. They are remarkable creatures that carry leaves many times their size.
Leaf cutter ants.
A type of locust that I always find in groups. This one was about 3 inches long.
This beetle was outside my bedroom door. I have no idea of the species.
Spider monkey.
Tortuguero Traveler 