Tortuguero is considered to be the most important nesting site in the Western half of the Caribbean for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), other species of sea turtles also nest along the park’s long beach every year, such as the leatherback and the hawksbill turtles.

For Tortuguero National Park, located in the North Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, the protection of those sea species is of the upmost importance.

The green turtle is a medium-size turtle that can weigh up to 200 kg., and has long fins that reach one meter in length.  

The nesting of the green turtle is one of the most interesting phenomena of Nature. This process (starting with the copulation) is considered the most critical stage in the turtle’s life cycle, because the female has to come to the beach, in large groups and in regular time periods. This, and the difficulty for the turtles to move on the sand, make them very vulnerable to man and other predators.

The process begins with the migration of the turtles to areas where there is not enough food. The copulation of the turtles begins there, at a short distance from the shore. Then, after a short time, the female comes out from the sea to look for a place dig a nest for her eggs. This process generally is carried out during the night.