Source: Alexander Holmes y Debbie Sherman – "Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina" Association.

About
Located at the delta of the Parismina river in the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, in the Limón province, this place is part of the nesting sites for three of the seven marine turtles in the world. This beach is a nesting place for the green turtle (Chelonia mydas), leatherback (Dermochelys coriacea) and hawksbill (Eretmochelys imbricata).

Tourism has become the main activity for the population of this locality, which used to sell eggs and other turtle products. Turtles are now the object of their protection, since they provide them with more resources when they are alive. In Parismina, the visit takes place through the “Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina”, an exemplary volunteer community project, in which the visit is intended to be a real conservation effort by the tourists.

¿How to get there?
To reach Parismina you must take a bus to Siquirres at the Great Caribbean terminal (located in San José, at Central street between 10 and 11 Avenues). The bus arrives at the "new" bus station in Siquirres and it's necessary to walk 200m on the same street to get to the "old" bus station and take a bus to Caño Blanco. These buses have only two daily services, so it's better to call the operator's office of the Caño-Aguilar brothers at 2768-8172 to confirm the schedules. From Caño Blanco to Parismina the trip must be done by boat, which are usually waiting for the buses to arrive and take approximately 15 minutes to arrive at Parismina.

Planning the visit
In Parismina the nesting season for leatherbacks goes from March until June, while the nesting season for green turtles goes from July until September. The tour involves contracting of a local guide at the spot.

Since the program is mostly a volunteer system, it's expected that visitors will remain for a longer period of time and may be willing to help the project as well as having a wonderful experience. Work usually involves beach patrolling with the guides, checking and measuring the arriving turtles, and also working at the nursery, which turns out to be very interesting and informative.

Food and lodging
Some hotels are the Cariblanco Lodge (telephone 8393-5481), the Iguana Verde Cabins (telephone 2710-1528), and some “homestay” services are available in which lodging is with a local family and includes three meals. This a great opportunity to immerse in a new culture. For more information you may visit webpage www.parisminaturtles.com

There are also restaurants and camping sites, but you must take into account that there are not banking services or nor other facilities. For more information about other sites you may visit webpages http://www.hotels.co.cr/ or http://www.govisitcostarica.com/

¿Volunteer work?
As mentioned before, the basis of the conservation program in Parismina is volunteer help, so it's well organized in this regard. To enter as a volunteer you must first contact Debbie Sherman by email at debbie@costaricaturtles.org or by phone at 2710-7703, although it's better to contact by mail, since there is only one telephone line.

Contacts

• “Salvemos las Tortugas de Parismina” Association: 2710-7703, parisminaturtles@gmail.com
• For more information: www.parisminaturtles.org