Parismina

Barra del Parismina is village of 600 people located on the Caribbean coast of Costa Rica, at the mouth of the Reventazón/Parismina river.

The village located is about half way between Tortuguero and Puerto Limon on the Tortuguero canals at the map coordinates 10 degrees 18 minutes 23 seconds north, 83 degrees, 21 minutes, 12 seconds west.

Eco-tourism and sport fishing are the foundation of the village economy. Parismina is an ideal place to get off the beaten track and see life the way locals do. A variety of homestay and volunteer opportunities make this possible

Get in

There is no road to Parismina - it is accessible only by boat or plane.

By boat

Bus/watertaxi

The most affordable way to reach Parismina is to take the public bus from the town of Siquirres to Caño Blanco. This bus leaves only twice a day from the old bus station. It is operated by Hermanos Caño-Aguilar. Their telephone number is [phone].

• Siquirres (old station) to Caño Blanco: weekdays leaves 04:30, returns 12:30; weekends leaves 06:00, returns 14:00
• Caño Blanco to Siquirres (old station): weekdays leaves 07:00, returns 13:30; weekends leaves 07:30, returns 15:00.

A taxi may also be taken to Caño Blanco from Siquirres, this costs about ₡10,000-20,000.

From Caño Blanco (which is little more than a cantina/gas station/dock), take the regularly scheduled water taxi to take you to Parismina. The water taxis leave about 10 minutes after the bus from Siquirries arrives. There may be boats lined up offering this service. This 15-minute boat ride should cost you ₡500-1000. They will drop you off at the Parismina 'dock'.

Parismina is passed by river on the way to Tortuguero on many pre-arranged tours. These boats rarely stop in Parismina but special arrangements may be made with many boat captains.

Alternately, boats may be commissioned from the port city of Moin (just north of Limon) following the canals north to Parismina. There are a few new regularly scheduled services which may be arranged from Limon, Cahuita or Puerto Viejo.

By plane

There is no regularly scheduled air service to Parismina. The Rio Parismina Lodge has charter air service regularly scheduled to Parismina. The two national airlines (NatureAir and Sansa) both offer daily service to the village of Tortuguero, approximately one hour north of Parismina by boat.

Get around

There are no roads or cars in Parismina. No official bike rental service is available. Horseback tours may be arranged at the tourist kiosk, and tours on the local ox-cart are sometimes available. Call the tourist kiosk for more information: [phone].

Parismina is small enough to be easily explored on foot.

See

• The Tortuguero canals, [phone]. Hire a boat and check out this tropical wonderland. A variety of tours are available from local guides. Bird watching enthusiasts will be thrilled to see the roesate spoonbill, toucans, the elusive Moctezuma bird and more. Tours can be geared toward fishing, watching wildlife or both. Monkeys, sloths, crocodiles and birds are all easily found on the canals near Parismina.

Do

• Join the Parismina Sea Turtle Commission, [phone]. Help patrol the beaches at night, protecting the nesting sea turtles from poachers. Watch these marvelous creatures come ashore to lay their eggs on the mysterious and beautiful beaches of this lonely stretch of the Caribbean coast. Four different species of sea turtles nest on the beaches at Parismina. Several of these, particularly the leatherback sea turtle, are hovering on the brink of extinction. A small donation lets you tag along with a local guide for a night time beach hike looking for nesting turtles! Tours available nightly, during turtle season (March-September).
• Sport. Enjoy the local sports scene! Pick-up games of volleyball and soccer happen almost every evening in the plaza in the center of town. Join the locals in a game, or just sit and watch the action.
• Fish. The sport fishing is said to be some of the best in the world, particularly for those who enjoy going for giant tarpon and snook.

Buy

There are very few shops in Parismina, although a grocery store/general store of some sort is rumored to be in the works. Two or three small grocery stands ('pulperias') are scattered around town including Ramiero's vegetable stand, and a grocery stand near the elementary school. A few homes offer used clothing ('ropa americana') or some sort of home made treat like ice cream.

There are no banks or ATMs in Parismina, so be sure to bring enough cash. The grocery stands and water taxi drivers will not take your credit or debit cards.

Local craftsmen offer crafts such as carved cocounts and jewelry made from local seeds and other materials.

Eat

Drink

On Saturday nights, the 'Disco Turstico Naomi' comes alive with an evening of DJ music and dancing to Caribbean favorites including Salsa, Meringue and Reggae.

Salon Parismina is located near the new dock, with drinks, karaoke and a pool hall next door. Open every night.

The Cariblanco features an open air cantina on the beach. A full bar and food service are available most days. Hours vary, but the place will stay open as late as the action lasts. Hammocks and rocking chairs are strategically placed with views of either the soccer field or the ocean.

Sleep

• Costa Rica Turtles. Homestays can be arranged. 
• El Cariblanco.
• La Rosa Espinoza.

Go next

Water taxi service to Cano Blanco is available twice a day, about 30 minutes before the bus to Siquirres leaves. The ₡500-1000, one-way. A bus from Cano Blanco to Siquirres leaves twice a day.

Boats to Tortuguero can be arranged at the tourist kiosk ([phone]). Flights from Tortuguero to San Jose leave every morning.