What is Tortuguero Conservation Area
(ACTo, because of its Spanish abbreviation)?

To answer this question, we have to see it as an administrative office and as a territorial extension.

Territorial Extension

Tortuguero Conservation Area (ACTo) is a territorial and administrative unit, formed by the cantones of Guacimo and Pococi, Limon province. Also, part of the canton of Sarapiqui is part of ACTo territory. Private and state activities are developed in this area. Its extension is about 355.375 hectares, and its population is approximately 150.000 inhabitants (according to the 2000 Census).

Administrative Office

ACTo is the regional office of National System for Conservation Areas (SINAC), a branch of Ministry of Environment and Energy. SINAC is in charge of three main environmental issues: Forest State Administration, Protected Areas, and Wildlife Management.

In order to guarantee the adequate use of forest resources, there are several different types of cutting down tree permissions. Also, there are some incentives to conserve and protect natural forests.

There is an important program that works with local communities in order develop them from a social, cultural, economic, and environmental point of view.

Tortuguero National Park (the most important nesting site for green turtle in the Caribbean coast), Barra del Colorado National Wildlife Refuge, Acuiferos Guacimo – Pococi Protected Zone, Archie Carr Private Wildlife Refuge, and Tortuguero Protected Zone are the most important protected areas in ACTo.

Some economic and productive activities take place in the ACTo region, specifically in non protected areas or private land. The most dynamic activities are agriculture, livestock, forestry, and commerce.