General characteristics:
NWR Barra del Colorado is located in northeastern Costa Rica, on the Caribbean side, Limon province and borders with Republic of Nicaragua, on the river San Juan. It was created in 1985, it is one of the protected areas (PAs) in the country forming part of that 26% of protected territory and contributes to the significant value of diversity of flora and fauna of Costa Rica.
The refuge covers an area of 81,177 hectares of land, consisting of coastal areas, lakes, rivers, herbaceous swamps, flooded forests, and forests of small hills that do not exceed 718 feet (219 meters) above sea level. It has a great feature with respect to the National Parks of Costa Rica, it is a Mixed Wildlife Refuge, which means that conservation objectives of the site are carried out hand in hand with communities that are embedded within the protected Wilderness area, feature that makes the Wildlife Refuge Barra del Colorado an ideal place for rural community tourism.
Like the national parks, the Refuge areas intended for different forms of conservation, in this case making more room for responsible use by the community:
• Sustainable use: 61%
• Sustainable use: 61%
• Sustainable use: 61%
• Absolute protection: 35%
• Special use: 3%
• Public use: 1%
It is precisely at this 1% of public use where the Cerro Tortuguero is located, right at the southeast edge of NWR Barra del Colorado. With an altitude of 390 feet (119 meters) above sea level, it is a small volcanic cone, which was formed about 1.8 billion years ago.
Cerro Tortuguero has an area of approximately 25 hectares and is the highest point of the entire Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, offering spectacular panoramic views of the forest and canal´s dynamic. Furthermore it become a micro habitat and refuge for many animals and plant species.
Tourist dynamics:
The sector of Cerro Tortuguero is located on the border with Tortuguero National Park and just 10 minutes from the community of Barra de Tortuguero, therefore its visitation is directly related to this famous ecological destination of Costa Rica, even though it should be clear that it belongs to the Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge.
This feature makes Cerro Tortuguero can offer, in addition to its spectacular views and breathtaking nature, an experience of Caribbean living in the community of San Francisco, located at the base of Cerro Tortuguero.
Due of the ecological fragility of Cerro Tortuguero and limited space at the top, the number of daily visitors is restricted. In order to ensure the conservation of natural resources, generate a quality experience and maintain the infrastructure, the service is offered through the alliance with an organization, which in turn generates economic benefits in Cerro Tortuguero nearby communities.
Weather:
Cerro Tortuguero sector as being closer to the Tortuguero National Park than the main area of Barra del Colorado, shares Tortuguero climatic characteristics. Temperatures range between 77 Fahrenheit (25° C) and 86 Fahrenheit (30 ° C), with rainfall of up to 19.68 feet (6000 mm) annually. The humidity is around 88% which generates a high feeling of warmth.
Ecological Importance:
• It is the maximum and single coastal level elevation in Costa Rican Caribbean and a geological sample of the formation of the Atlantic region.
• It is a particular microclimate and a refuge for many animals and plant species.
• It houses many species of amphibians like the red frog (Ophaga pumilio)
Featured species:
• Mono congo (Alouatta palliata)
• White face monkey (Cebus capucinus)
• Spider Monkey (Ateles geoffroyi)
• Red frog (Ophaga pumilio)
• Green Macaw (Lapa Verde, Ara ambiguous)