Pacuare BeachThe Pacuare Nature Reserve was established by the Endangered Wildlife Trust in 1989 and protects 800 hectares of lowland tropical rainforest and six kms. of deserted beach on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast. It is located about 25 kms. north of Limón and lies between the sea and the Tortuguero canal.
The special mission of the reserve has been to protect the Leatherback Turtles, which nest along its beach - one of the most important nesting sites in Central America for this critically endangered species.
A Leatherback Turtle makes its way back to the sea after laying
March to June is the nesting season for these giant turtles and from June to September Green turtles also nest here, though in lesser numbers.
The Reserve is rich in wildlife, and is home to about 20 species of mammal and many reptiles. Monkeys are plentiful and Howler monkeys regularly provide a dawn chorus.
With beach, forest and freshwater habitats, the reserve has a wide variety of birdsand we have listed 210 species. One of the lagoons within the forest is the only known nesting site in Costa Rica of the rare and beautiful Agami heron.
The rare Agami heron © Arthur Grosset www.arthurgrosset.com
A new feature is the establishment of an area of native fruit trees and vegetables, which will be of interest to visitors as well as a useful source of food. This has been developed from an original orchard, overgrown for many years but which now has 42 species, mostly edible, such as avocado, banana, yuca, oranges, lemons, papaya, breadfruit etc. and others such as noni and cacao trees. Not many visitors from Europe or the US will have seen a chocolate tree!
A cocoa pod hanging from a cacao tree on the reserveThere is a main trail, which runs through the forest behind the beach the whole length of the reserve and there are other shorter trails leading to areas of special interest.
Visitors to the Reserve are free to walk the trails or take a boat-ride along the Tortuguero canal where caimans, freshwater turtles and many wading birds can be seen. They are also encouraged to participate fully in the turtle programme and to patrol along the beach at night with our biologist, research assistants and beach guards. Nobody ever forgets the sight of their first giant leatherback.
Research Projects
Visiting biologists often conduct research projects at Pacuare and we welcome applications from qualified researchers who wish to take advantage of the wide variety of wildlife in the reserve. Please contact us if you wish to apply.
