Pacuare Reserve Dinosaurs

Managed by Ecology Project International (EPI), this protected area focuses on two main conservation projects: the protection and monitoring of Leatherback Sea Turtles and the seasonal population of Agami Herons, among other initiatives.

We’ll embark on a roofless boat from one of the docks in Batan County, located in the Caribbean Lowlands. The 20-minute journey through these beautiful water channels will immerse us in the tropical rainforest before arriving at the Station and Lodge in “Barra del Pacuare.” This narrow strip of sand, surrounded by the Matina and Pacuare Rivers and the Caribbean Sea, is accessible only by boat. With limited electricity and WiFi, it offers a rare luxury nowadays! Here, you’ll find the Northern Station by the Pacuare Rivermouth, the Southern Station, and Casa Grande Lodge. Accommodation includes rustic four-person rooms with shared bathrooms and standard rooms at the lodge.

During your stay, you’ll encounter the main attractions of the Reserve:

Leatherbacks nest from March to June. During the peak season, you may witness several sightings in one night patrol. These patrols allow you to observe the entire nesting process, which can take up to two hours, as researchers and volunteers gather vital data for conservation. Sometimes, the eggs are relocated to the “turtle nursery” to protect them from poaching. From May, you can see baby turtles hatching and making their way to the ocean, a magical event that continues until the last hatchlings appear in August.

Additionally, the Reserve is home to one of the few accessible nesting colonies of Agami Herons worldwide. These birds arrive in May, but the Sanctuary opens to the public in July to ensure successful reproduction. With a special protocol for visiting, this Sanctuary offers one of the most intimate and close-up views of these shy birds. By the end of September, the herons leave, but you might still spot one during the boat transfer.

Besides observing these mystical species, at Pacuare Reserve, you can also enjoy:

• Night walks in the station gardens
• Early birding walks
• Nature walks on the trail between stations
• Conservation program lectures
• Volunteering for maintenance tasks like helping at the turtle nursery

Special Group Tour Details: This experience is available only on special designated dates for open group tours of 3 days and 2 nights. Private tours are also available for either two-day or three-day trips.

Physical Demand: Intermediate difficulty, with participants needing to manage 2-hour walks of up to 4 km on soft sand, flat paths, and temperatures up to 32°C. 
Duration: 3 days, 2 nights.