The Village
The peaceful village of TORTUGUERO lies at the northeastern corner of the national park, on a thin spit of land between the sea and the Tortuguero canal. With its exuberant foliage of wisteria, oleander and bougainvillea, the whole place has the look of a carefully tended tropical garden. Tall palm groves and clean expanses of mown grass are punctuated by zinc-roofed wooden houses, often elevated on stilts. This is classic Caribbean style: washed-out, slightly ramshackle and pastel-pretty, with very little to disturb the torpor until after dark. A dirt path runs north-south through the village - the "main street" - from which narrow paths go off to the sea and the canal. Smack in the middle of the village stands one of the prettiest churches you'll see anywhere: pale yellow, with a small spire and an oval doorway. Just beyond the church is the colourful La Crisalida Butterfly Garden (daily 3-5.30pm; US$1), a community initiative manned by volunteers. The Jungle Souvenir Shop, at the northern end of the village across from the small jetty, is very well-stocked with T-shirts, wooden souvenirs and cards - if the sun is getting to you, this is the place to pick up a hat or sunscreen. The wares are less authentic at the purple Paraiso Tropical souvenir shop, which doubles as the village's Travelair agent, and sells tickets to San Jose.
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