Parismina
- Summary: Secluded Caribbean village; famed for superb sport fishing and nesting sea turtles.
- Landscape: Beaches, Lowland Rainforest, Rainforest, River Canals, River
- Attractions: Nesting Sea Turtles, Tortuguero National Park
- Activities: Bird & Wildlife Watching, Sport Fishing
- Caters to: Independent Travelers, Nature Lovers
- Quick Facts: 115 miles northeast of San Jose; 25 miles south of Tortuguero ; Sea level ; Warm and humid with frequent rain showers ; 68-88 F
Parismina Snapshot
Located on the northern Caribbean coast, Parismina is a tranquil village on a 58 square-mile island flanked by rivers and the Caribbean Sea. There is no bridge connecting the island to the mainland, and the island itself has no paved roads. Due to its seclusion, Parismina is a unique locale where time seems to stand still. Visitors are invited to participate in village life, including helping with turtle conservation and trying their hand at farm work. In addition to hotels and cabins, homestays are available and promise to add an authentic flavor to any vacation – live in a Costa Rican home, practice Spanish, and experience Parismina like a local. Even transportation can be adventure – when traveling long distances, take an oxcart taxi!
read more closeParismina’s main attractions are world-class sport fishing and turtle watching. The Parismina River is home to world-record snook and 50 to 110-pound class tarpon can be fished throughout the year. In 2001, the Asociacion Salvemos Las Tortugas de Parismina (ASTOP; the Save the Turtles of Parismina Association) formed to protect nesting leatherback, hawksbill, loggerhead, and green sea turtles. Parismina is now a burgeoning eco-destination, welcoming volunteers and travelers interested in turtle preservation.
There are no banks or ATMs in Parismina, and most locations do not accept traveler’s checks or credit cards, so visitors should take enough cash to cover all costs while on the island. Several lodging and dining options exist, though most are rustic – air conditioning and hot water are often considered extras. The Rio Parismina Fishing Lodge offers multi-day packages that include eight hours of daily fishing, delicious meals, transportation from San Jose, and accommodations in well-appointed rooms.
Activities:
Bird and Wildlife Watching
The wetlands and lowland rainforest surrounding Parismina are ideal destinations for bird and wildlife aficionados. Hire a local guide and take a leisurely boat tour along the quiet Parismina River canals. Common sightings include howler monkeys, sloths, caimans, toucans and spoonbills. Tortuguero National Park, a 77,000-acre wilderness of winding canals and dense lowland forest, is located just north of Parismina. Wander through a maze of peaceful canals with a naturalist guide and look for anhingas, jacanas, and the elegant bare-throated tiger heron.
Botanical Gardens
Just 10 minutes across the river in Cano Blanco, the Jardin Tropical has acres of sprawling heliconia gardens. Take a water taxi or hop aboard one of ASTOP’s daily tours, which also includes a horseback ride and visit to a traditional farm. (2200-5567. 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mon-Sat. Admission free.)
Fishing
The Parismina River is an angler’s dream, teeming with schools of trophy tarpon, mojarra, machaca, and four species of snook. In fact, four IGFA world-record snook have been caught in the river. Just a few miles offshore, jack crevalle, shark, snapper, tuna, and wahoo are also common. Anglers can spend a long weekend or a whole week fishing the river canals and ocean at The Rio Parismina Fishing Lodge, the area's oldest and most respected fishing lodge. Parismina has two fishing seasons: late January through June marks the summer season when the tarpon bite and weather are ideal. The fall season is excellent for boating fat snook and runs from late August through November. Learn more about sport fishing in Costa Rica.
Swimming
The beach closest to Parismina is rough, and not recommended for swimming or surfing. A small swimming lagoon, which goes by the name of Barrita, is located just south of the beach. This is a popular spot for a refreshing swim or afternoon picnic.
Turtle Protection
Make a difference during your trip – join the nightly beach patrol and help protect nesting sea turtles from poachers. During nesting season (February through October), leatherback, hawksbill, and green sea turtles lumber up the beach to bury their eggs in the sand. Watching the process is truly awe-inspiring, and participating in the protection of these gentle giants is an incredible experience. Save the Turtles of Parismina Association: 2710-7703
Getting There:
Air: The Rio Parismina Fishing Lodge offers charter flights to and from San Jose. The flight lasts less than thirty minutes and typically runs on Tuesdays and Saturdays. There are no scheduled flights to Parismina with regional airlines Sansa and Nature Air.
Bus and Boat: Getting to Parismina via public transportation is a simple, but multi-step process. Travelers must catch a specific bus from San Jose to Siquirres, or they will not arrive in Cano Blanco before the last boat leaves.
Monday-Friday:
San Jose to Siquirres: $2; 9:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.; 1.5 hours travel time
Siquirres to Cano Blanco (Cano-Aguilar): $2; 12:00 p.m. or 3:15 p.m.; 2 hours travel time
Boat from Cano Blanco to Parismina: $2; 3 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. (occasional); 10 minute travel time
Saturday and Sunday:
San Jose to Siquirres: $2; 9:30 a.m. or 1 p.m.; 1.5 hours travel time
Siquirres to Cano Blanco (Cano-Aguilar): $2; 12:00 p.m. or 3:15 p.m.; 2 hours travel time
Boat from Cano Blanco to Parismina: $2; 3 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. (occasional); 10 minute travel time
A water taxi runs between Moin and Tortuguero, but the boat does not stop in Parismina unless it has been notified of waiting passengers:
Moin to Tortuguero: Departs Moin around 11 a.m., passes by Parismina at 12:00 p.m., and arrives in Tortuguero around 1 p.m.
Tortuguero to Moin: Departs Tortuguero at 1:30 p.m., passes by Parismina around 2:30 p.m. and docks in Moin at approximately 3:30 p.m.
Parismina in Pictures
Parismina Travel Guide
Parismina Weather
Current Conditions
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Parismina Weather
Current Conditions
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Parismina Tides
| Sunday, December 22, 2024 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| High | 1:02 a.m. | 0.79 ft. (0.24 m.) | |
| Low | 6:36 a.m. | 0.43 ft. (0.13 m.) | |
| High | 11:11 a.m. | 0.66 ft. (0.2 m.) | |