The turtles return to this same 22 mile stretch of beach every year to lay their eggs. No one is quite sure why they prefer this sandy coastline but local people believe that a turtle-shaped volcanic hill at Tortuguero serves as some kind of beacon guiding the turtles back each year. In addition to the turtles, Tortuguero National Park is a haven for other creatures such as Indian manatees, crocodiles, howler monkeys, and over 450 different species of birds.
