|
Las Baulas
Marine National Park :
:
Travel
to Costa Rica
: Another newcomer to the list of Costa Rican national
parks, Las Baulas was declared to protect two important
nesting beaches for the Giant Leatherback Sea Turtle,
as well as offshore areas where these large marine reptiles
spend their days during the breeding season.
Leatherbacks, known as baulas in Costa Rica,
are the largest of the world's seven species of sea
turtles, averaging 350 kg. and more than a meter and
a half in length. Watching one of these great ancient
beasts come ashore at night to continue the age-old
tradition of nesting in tropical sands is a very moving
experience for most people, although others find the
two-hour process a bit more than their patience and
interest levels can tolerate.
In Costa Rica, this species can be found nesting at
a number of beaches on both coasts, however, two of
the more heavily used beaches are Playa Grande (Big
Beach) and Playa Langosta (Lobster Beach), to the north
and south, respectively, of Tamarindo Beach. Together,
the aforementioned two beaches make up Las Baulas Marine
National Park.
The nesting season at Las Baulas extends from October
through February. When away from their breeding sites,
leatherbacks range widely throughout the world's oceans
searching for their principal food, jellyfish.
Admission policy: All visitors on the beach
at night must be accompanied by a certified local guide
(available at the entrance to the beach during the nesting
season).
Getting there: From the intersection on the
PanAmerican Highway at Liberia, drive west towards the
Pacific coast. At the town of Belén, take a right
turn and continue on paved road for 21 km. until reaching
the community of Huacas. Here follow a gravel road 8
km. further through the town of Matapalo and on to Salinas,
where you enter the national park on Playa Grande.
Fishing: Located in the most developed part
of the country for deep-sea fishing, a dozen or more
operators between Playa del Coco and Tamarindo offer
charter boat service with the target species being Blue
Marlin, Black Marlin, and Pacific Sailfish. Between
the three species, there's usually action all year long.
Other fish that help pick up the slack if the billfish
aren't biting are Dorado (Mahi-mahi), Wahoo, and Roosterfish.
Climate: Hot during the daytime, evenings are
usually a very pleasant temperature, although when the
winds pick up from December through February, a jacket
or sweater might be wanted while out looking for turtles.
The rainy season lasts from May to November.
|
