Tortuguero community is facing some problems regarding waste recycling and drinking water, as well as differences and disputes among some members of the community due to an alleged lack of cooperation.
The small town of Tortuguero in the province of Limón is one of Costa Rica’s most important tourist destinations. However, being surrounded by jungle and bodies of water, it suffers from complications that appear to be worsening.
On June 17, 2025, there was a technical shutdown at the Tortuguero Recycling Plant due to community disagreements. The shutdown lasted only a couple of days, but this event raises alarm bells for a town that relies on the efforts of its residents and important initiatives like the Tortuguero Recycling Plant for waste management and the general well-being of the population.
The root of the problem facing the Barra de Tortuguero Recycling Plant Association appears to lie in the lack of cooperation from a significant percentage of the population. The association requests a weekly payment to cover the waste management service, and apparently, only about 60% of residents provide this cooperation, which is essential for proper disposal, recycling, and waste management.
Thanks to this service, Tortuguero residents can safely leave their trash bags outside their homes, and they are collected for proper disposal.
The possibility of making public the list of people who default on the payment that funds this crucial project was discussed, but it has been a controversial idea. Even some relatives of prominent members of the association would be included on the list.
Following the technical closure of the Tortuguero Recycling Plant, many community members expressed their concern, as the town takes great advantage of this benefit.
Even more so, as a tourist destination of such importance to the country, Tortuguero National Park receives around 100,000 tourists a year, so preserving its natural beauty is a top priority for a society that subsists economically on tourism.
Almost a month after the technical closure, the situation seems to have balanced out, as the percentage of people who are making their weekly payments has increased to approximately 80%, considering the most recent month as a benchmark. Likewise, the community must be consistent, providing support, and raising awareness.
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Written by Juan Pablo Soto Sáenz for Giotours Costa Rica | Discrepancies and Technical Closure at the Tortuguero Recycling Plant. Published on June 22, 2025.
Link: https://www.giotours.com/discrepancies-and-technical-closure-at-the-tortuguero-recycling-plant/
