Costa Rica (Lonely Planet, 9th Edition) - Matthew Firestone [407]
In addition, every year around July 16, fishers and local boat captains have a small waterborne procession in honor of the Virgen del Carmen, the patron virgin of sailors.
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Information
There are no banks or post offices in Parismina. Credit cards and traveler’s checks are not accepted, so make sure you bring plenty of cash. In addition, while the village has a couple of pay phones, no one in town sells phone cards – be sure to bring your own. Internet access is almost nonexistent.
ASTOP (Asociación Salvemos Las Tortugas de Parismina Information Center; Save the Turtles of Parismina; 2798-2220; www.parisminaturtles.org; 1-5pm Feb-Oct) A turtle-protection organization run by a former Peace Corps volunteer, ASTOP organizes homestays (per night with three meals US$25), offers internet access (per hour ₡1700) and posts information about local activities, events and tour guides. Staff can arrange horseback-riding trips, bike rentals, as well as turtle-watching tours (per person US$20 in season) and wildlife-viewing excursions by boat (per person US$20 to US$25 for two- to four-hour tours).
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Sights & Activities
ASTOP (2798-2220; www.parisminaturtles.org; 1-5pm Feb-Oct) has built a guarded turtle hatchery to deter poachers and thieves. Travelers can volunteer as turtle guards to patrol the beaches alongside local ‘turtle guides.’ To volunteer, you’ll have to pay a US$30 registration fee, in addition to a daily US$15 lodging fee that includes training, accommodations with a local family and three meals daily. A three-night minimum is required. (Note that the US$15 per night rate is for volunteers only. Independent travelers and others who arrange homestays through ASTOP will have to pay the full fee of US$25 per night.)
Villagers have traditionally depended on farming and fishing, but the turtle project has become an important part of the local economy, as many families depend on the income they receive from homestays and other activities. ASTOP can also help organize Spanish lessons, Latin dance lessons, fishing trips and boat tours into Parque Nacional Tortuguero. ASTOP also organizes day trips to Caño Blanco (per person US$25, not including boat transport), where you can visit a traditional Tico farm, milk cows and make cheese.
For a worthwhile day trip, cross the river to Caño Blanco and pay a visit to Don Victor and his wife Isaura, who run Jardín Tropical (2200-5567; admission US$2; 8am-5pm), an amazing heliconia farm.
You can rent kayaks at Carefree Ranch (per day US$9).
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Sleeping & Eating
Cabinas Cariblanco (2798-1031; r per person US$8) A bare-bones spot on the beach with 11 worn rooms and private cold-water showers. A popular bar is attached – in other words, this place gets LOUD.
Iguana Verde (2798-0828; s/d US$10/15, d with air-con US$25; ) Set around a small courtyard, three tidy rooms have bathrooms and air-con. It will be on your left-hand side as you walk east from the dock.
Parismina Gamefish Lodge (2758-5456; r per person with/without air-con US$14/10; ) Across from Iguana Verde is this new spot, with six simple, tiled rooms surrounding a garden lined with hammocks. The beds are firm and the electric showers may or may not work.
Carefree Ranch (2710-3149; r per person US$10) Opposite the Catholic church, this basic clapboard house – bright yellow with green trim – has nine tidy rooms with concrete bathrooms and a broad front porch that is ideal for relaxing. In Parismina, it’s about as quaint as things get. Family-style meals are available for an additional charge.
Green Gold Ecolodge (2798-0845; dm per person US$10) A little more than 3km south of the dock, on