The park has an extension of over 19,000 hectares (46,900 acres) and protects 22 miles of nesting beach from the estuary of the Tortuguero River south to Parisimina. Strong Caribbean currents have provided this long, straight 22 mile expanse of beach which is a favored nesting ground for sea turtles. Hawksbill, loggerheads, and Pacific Green turtles nest from July through October. The Leatherback, the largest sea turtle species in the world, nests from February to July.

A network of interconnected channels, waterways, lagoons and lakes are part of this beautiful park. Sailing through them will let you see the wildlife of the park which provides an important habitat for jaguars, tapirs, green macaws, toucans, monkeys and numerous plant species. More than 300 species of birds live in Tortuguero for all or part of the year. Definitely, Tortuguero is a symbol of conservation for the amazing turtle species near extinction.