A cluster of endangered leatherback turtle hatchlings try and find their way in a strange new world

Accessible only by boat or plane, the coastal Tortuguero National Park is one of the world´s most important nesting sites for marine turtles.

The cumbersome creatures scramble ashore in the dead of night to bury their eggs along the same sprawling black-sand beach where they themselves were born. Weeks later, the hatchlings emerge and promptly stumble towards the ocean to take refuge from predators.

During nesting and hatchling season (anytime between March and October), visitors come down to the beach at night to gaze at one of nature´s most ancient rituals.

Three different species of turtles nest here. Green sea turtles and hawksbill turtles can be seen between July and October, while March to May is the peak time to spot leatherback turtles - the largest in the world. 

Beyond its beach, Tortuguero National Parks offers one of Costa Rica´s best wildlife watching experiences. Inland, the thick tropical rainforest teems with jaguars, white-faced capuchins and two-and-three-toes sloths, not to mention more than 300 birds species. Only one short trail carves through the park, and the best way to explore its extensive mangrove swamps, rivers, lagoons and canals, is by boat, canoe or kayak. Gliding down the wildlife-lined waterways, you may well spy Jesus Christ lizards, caimans, iguanas, manatees and river otters.

The entrance to the national park lies just north of Tortuguero village, which is a short plane ride away from San Jose or three-hour upriver boat journey from either Cariari or Moin.

Avid turtle lovers might want to consider volunteering for one of the many turtle research and conservation projects in the area, helping out with everything from turtle tagging to beach patrol.