Things to Do Near Tortuguero: Visit Parismina
When visiting the Caribbean side of Costa Rica, most itineraries point to Tortuguero National Park as a must. Which is understandable, but most people do not know that very close by there is a little village that shares the same ecosystem. Both depend on boats, and both are villages surrounded by jungles and rivers. But somehow, one became famous and the other simply didn’t.
In A Rush? Here's Where To Stay
🌿 Tortuguero — Browse eco-lodges & rainforest stays
🛶 Parismina — Amaya Hostel , the village's only accommodation. Eco-friendly and run by an American who fell in love with Parismina and never left.
After spending some time in Parismina, I realised something. If Tortuguero is where people come to see wildlife, Parismina is where wildlife still lives among humans without a zoo feeling.
If you are looking for the best things to do in Tortuguero, don’t just stop at Tortuguero. Cross one more river and your trip will change, for the better.
Why Visit Parismina if You’re Already Going to Tortuguero?
I am not here to replace Tortuguero. It’s a protected area for a reason, and that should be enough reason to visit. But Parismina offers something different that Tortuguero doesn’t.
Far fewer people, fewer tourists, if any. I could not find any while I stayed there. It was just me living among locals. It does have the same incredible rainforest ecosystem, wildlife and beauty. And most importantly, some of Costa Rica’s most important turtle conservation work happens in Parismina.
The silence of the place, the wind, the sea, all of that rawness is what makes Parismina not just worth visiting, but a place that embraces you and surrounds you until you feel inside a tiny green bubble, where it’s just you. Like you were meant to be there, like you were always part of it.
Here are 9 things to do near Tortuguero, Parismina to be more exact.
1. Walk a Beach Where Jaguars Still Hunt Turtles
How many beaches in the world can claim this? I can assure you, not many. Every nesting season, leatherback, hawksbill and green turtles crawl onto these shores under the stars, protected by the dark curtain of the night. Some make it back to the sea. Some don’t.
Hidden inside the forest, jaguars wait for one of their favourite meals that the jungle can offer. You probably won’t see any, let’s be honest, but knowing they are there does change how the place feels. You’ll be paying attention to every footprint.
My host in Parismina told me that not too long ago, they had to close their front doors at night, something they usually don’t do, to protect their dogs. Some were found dead, eaten by a jaguar. They did tell me not to go to the beach when it was dark because I might have an encounter I did not want to have.
2. Learn Why Turtle Conservation Matters Here
Parismina is not luxurious, but it is famous among conservationists. Every nesting season, volunteers patrol these beaches through the night, protecting turtles from poachers, recording nests and helping to make sure that some of the little turtles that hatch reach the sea.
It’s not an easy activity. It’s demanding, hard and exhausting. Sometimes it can be dangerous, but it’s absolutely necessary. We might not be able to protect them in the sea, but we can make sure that as many as possible at least reach it.
3. Drift Through Caribbean Canals Without the Crowds
Tortuguero is famous for its canals, but it is not the only place with canals. The waterways continue beyond it. While I was staying in Parismina, my host and some of her friends were going to a place called La Barra. To get there, we took a boat. For about 20 minutes, the boat glided through the water, reflecting the entire rainforest.
Howler monkeys announce your arrival before you even see them, green iguanas get some sun on the branches, and crocodiles chill by the shores. I thought: “I will ask the boatman to give me a ride around the canals”, and he did. Just me and the jungle, and it was not expensive. In Tortuguero, that is part of a tour, packed with other people on a boat. I’m not saying it is not worth doing in Tortuguero, but the experience is different.
4. Wake Up to Howler Monkeys Instead of Alarm Clocks
Howler monkeys are present in both Parismina and Tortuguero. The difference is that in Parismina, they are part of day-to-day living, not an attraction seen through binoculars.
The first time I heard them, I thought some kind of demon was lurking around the village. I asked my host and she explained that howler monkeys are one of the loudest mammals. I understood, and after I saw them, their sound became a beautiful orchestra that the jungle performed for itself.
5. Look for Sloths, Monkeys and Tropical Birds
The thing that Parismina never lacks is wildlife. Just by walking around barefoot on my way to explore the beaches and the jungle near the village, I found sloths, howler monkeys, iguanas, toucans and more little animals I can’t name. The diversity is immense, and I have not memorised every life form living in the greenery of that watery land.
6. Watch Life Revolve Around the River
The river is the road of this village. People use it to transport supplies and themselves to the mainland. They carry children to school, and fishermen head out before sunrise. Everything begins and ends at the river.
You can join the fishermen, or a family getting supplies, maybe visiting friends or family across the river, or you can just sit by it, read a book and observe life happening in front of you. It might sound boring, but for me, watching life happen in a completely different place is something worth observing.
7. Visit Tortuguero Without Staying There
Because we do not want to replace Tortuguero National Park, if you are staying in Parismina, visiting Tortuguero should be a must. From Parismina, Tortuguero is close, and you arrive by river. The key is asking your host, or even the boatman can take you for a fair price. You can spend a day or stay overnight to immerse yourself in the national park while still having your base in Parismina, where you get the quiet side of the jungle.
8. Watch the River Meet the Caribbean Sea
From the village, there is a short walk that leads to the edge of a beach where the river meets the sea. On the other side, pure jungle. Wild jungle.
Sitting there for just 30 minutes will give you such a wild landscape, worthy of being recorded for a National Geographic video. No tour or guide. Just sit and observe life happening, and have a swim if you feel brave.
9. Experience a Village That Doesn’t Feel Built for Tourists
I don’t want to sound cliché at all. But enjoying Parismina is living there like it’s home. Like the village you go back to on holiday to visit family. The villagers are not your family, but they will feel like they are. Or at least, that’s how I felt. I cried before leaving this village to head south to Puerto Viejo. It gave me a home for a short time and unforgettable moments.
Is Parismina Better Than Tortuguero?
No, it’s different. Both give you different experiences. If you want organised tours, loads of accommodation and easy access to Tortuguero National Park, staying in Tortuguero is the right call.
But if you prefer something different, away from the crowds, local life and experiencing a Caribbean ecosystem without tour operators, Parismina might surprise you in a good way.
I did both, but I based myself in Parismina, and whenever I wanted a jungle tour, I went to Tortuguero, spent a day and headed back to Parismina.
Day Trips
Explore Tortuguero for the Day
If you are staying in Parismina but still want to explore Tortuguero, these are some of the day trips and wildlife tours available.
Booking through this widget may support Wild Veins at no extra cost to you.
Final Thoughts
I did not expect much from Parismina, yet it has been the most memorable place I have travelled to in Costa Rica. Tortuguero is amazing, that is true, but we all know what to expect from it. Parismina gives you the unplanned travel experience that will stay in my memory for years to come.
