Tortuguero
Jungle canals and green turtle nesting. Reachable only by boat or small plane.
Canals, rainforest and turtles on the Caribbean coast
Tortuguero is a village between the Caribbean Sea and a network of canals and lagoons surrounded by rainforest. There are no roads: you arrive by boat or small plane, and that sense of remoteness is part of its charm. Its beach is one of the most important green turtle nesting sites in the Western Hemisphere.
Things to do
- Canal tour: by boat or kayak, early in the morning, to see monkeys, sloths, caimans, otters and a huge variety of birds.
- Turtle nesting: night tours let you watch turtles come ashore to lay their eggs. The beach can only be visited at night with certified guides, in small groups, with no flashlights or flash photography.
- Tortuguero National Park trails: short walks through the forest next to the beach.
- The village: small, colorful and easy to explore on foot, with local eateries serving Caribbean food.
When to go
- Green turtles: July to October, the main season.
- Leatherback turtles: March to May, with fewer visitors.
- Hatchlings are usually seen toward the end of the season.
- It rains in any season: bring a rain jacket and quick-dry clothes.
Tips
- Stay at least two nights: enough time for the canals, a night tour and some rest.
- Book the turtle tour as soon as you arrive; spots are limited.
- Bring lotion repellent, a flashlight for the village and cash: not every place takes cards.
Getting there
The classic route is by road to the La Pavona dock, then by boat through the canals (about an hour and a half). There are also short domestic flights from San José. In our quote, the ground transfer already includes the boat. Tortuguero pairs very well with Cahuita and Puerto Viejo on the Southern Caribbean coast.
Where to stay in Tortuguero
Things to do in Tortuguero
- Canal boat tour from $35 pp
- Turtle nesting tourJuly to October from $30 pp
- National park entrance from $15 pp
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Plan your trip
from $70 per night
Choose hotel, nights and activities; prices follow the season.
Best time to visit
July to October to see turtle nesting
Getting there
Includes boat through the canals from La Pavona
✈ Has an airstrip for domestic flights