Travel bucket list idea:

Turtles in Tortuguero National Park

Limon Province, Costa Rica

Bucket List Experience

Last updated: 26 June, 2023

Expert travel writer: Alex Robinson

Tortuguero National Park, on Costa Rica’s northeastern Caribbean coast, is the best place in the northern Atlantic to see nesting and hatching sea turtles; four species can be seen including giant leatherbacks.

The dominant species is the Green Turtle – Tortuguero’s black sand beach is the most important nesting site for the species in the Western Hemisphere, thanks to half a century of conservation. Visit in the right months and sightings are virtually guaranteed.

There’s much more besides – some 160 species of reptiles and amphibians, 60 species of mammals and 300+ species of birds. Shoreside lagoons, filled with crocodiles stretch back from the beaches; gallery forests are busy with capuchin monkeys, toucans, spider monkeys, iguanas and three-toed sloths.

Lush hills rise above the whole landscape – offering stunning viewpoints that look as wild and primeval as the Jurassic World.

See it all on short hikes, boat excursions on the long lagoons or by kayak.

But this is wilderness with ease and comfort – there are accommodation options for adults of all ages and families with even the youngest kids.

Logistics

Price: Free

Minimum age: Any

Age suitable: 8+

When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

Tortuguero is remote and reachable only by taxi boat (from La Pavona or Moín) or air. The best way to visit is to book into one of the jungle lodges in the park. The accommodation will include turtle nesting tours (guides are compulsory), boat excursions, all food and pick-up from Tortuguero’s domestic airport.

There are cheaper guesthouses in Tortuguero village and a handful of local agencies there who offer tours. Kayaks can also be rented to explore the lagoons.

There are two essential tours in the region – a trip to the long, dark-sand heavily-protected turtle nesting and hatching beach, and a creek and lagoon wildlife-spotting boat tour. Turtle beach visits can only be done with a local wildlife guide. Stays at Tortuga Lodge and other of the more upmarket places include turtle-beach visits. They also generally include creek and lagoon wildlife tours by boat; together with other options like jungle hikes to look-out points and night safaris.

However, both these tours (and others besides) can be organised with independent local operators like Daryl Loth in Tortuguero village; where the cheaper accommodation is located.

When to do it

Tortuguero is wonderful at any time of year but to see turtles nesting you need to visit between February and October (with July and August peak season for sightings). Hatchlings can be seen through until December.

Green turtles nest from July to October, leatherbacks from February to July, and loggerhead and hawksbill turtles from March to October. Hatchlings emerge 60 days after nesting.

Who to go with: organised tours

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Canoe Tour in Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero

On this tour, you will put aside your worries, you will relax and enjoy the immensity of the very humid tropical forest of Costa Rica. Some important aspects to take into account: Canoes are small boats. Maximum 8 people per canoe (typical canoe with paddles). It is worth mentioning that it is not necessary to row if you wish, the guide will do it. We offer 3 different schedules to make the tour, however, we recommend doing the 6:00 am, since at this time the animals are more active and the temperature is the best. If you carry your camera, do not forget to take something to protect it against water, since the weather conditions are quite unpredictable and it can rain at any time.

Price: $32

Min age: 1

Rating 4.87 / 5 [156 ratings]

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Canoe tour in Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero

A canoe ride through the canals of Tortuguero National Park is one of the experiences not to be missed during your stay. We take you by canoe without a motor to the heart of the park - to the smallest canals, prohibited for motorboats, to appreciate its fauna and flora from the closest without disturbing the animals.

Price: $40

Min age: 0

Rating 4.81 / 5 [11 ratings]

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Turtle Nesting night Tour in Tortuguero

Tortuguero

Admiring the effort of one of the longest living species on the planet to ensure its survival. This tour is to observe the nesting process of sea turtles, accompanied by a local guide who will explain you the process or actions that are taking place in the world of sea turtles during their nesting season (July 1 to October 31 ) One of the most special experiences in liven time.

Price: $40

Min age: 0

Rating 4.61 / 5 [42 ratings]

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Zipline Canopy Tour & Tortuguero Canal Boat tour. Shore Excursion from Limon

Limon

Enjoy the marvelous experience of taking the tour that will give you the opportunity of crossing the “jungle” like a monkey in its habitat. You will cross the forest from tree to tree with first class equipment. If you want an adrenaline rush, then this is the tour for you! Glide through the treetops with this exhilarating adventure: 11 cables and 11 platforms stretched across the length of the rain forest. The longest cable is 270 meters long and you will experience heights up to 80 meters. After the zipline canopy experience, a short drive will take you to Moin Town for a Tortuguero Canal Boat Ride. Your guide explains the rain forest ecosystem and points out sights of interest. Keep an eye out for wildlife including howler monkeys, sloths, toucans, bats, aquatic birds, iguanas and crocodiles as well as exotic flora.

Price: $145

Min age: 1

Rating 4.39 / 5 [41 ratings]

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Tortuguero National Park Day Trip from San Jose

San Jose

It's time to be adventurous! Come and explore the rain forest covering over 29,000 hectares. Tortuguero is one of the main nesting sites of the Chelonia Midas, the endangered green sea turtle. Home to a wide variety of wildlife, the forests and waterways are inundated with sloths, monkeys, agoutis, coatimundis, crocodiles and manatees.

Price: $150

Min age: 2

Rating 4.28 / 5 [7 ratings]

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Tortuguero National Park Eco Adventure Canoe Tour from San Jose

San Jose

One of Costa Rica's most popular eco-tourism destinations, the canals and rivers of Tortuguero National Park are abundant with exciting plant and wildlife species. Venture out of the city and explore the park, looking out for turtles as you go. • Venture out of San Jose and explore the lush terrain of the Tortuguero. • Get the chance to see the spectacular Atlantic green turtle in its natural habitat. • Discover the exciting birds, plants, and animals that call Tortuguero home. • Relax with round trip transportation by boat and car.

Price: $155

Min age: 0

Rating 4.11 / 5 [9 ratings]

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Day Trip from San Jose to Tortuguero National Park (Canals)

San Jose

This enchanted and secluded park is the save heaven of many different species of while life not only native of Costa Rica, but to the Americas. Travelling through the waters of the hidden lagoons and canals as the flowering vine covered trees blend in with their own water reflection we will have the unique experience of observing as close as possible several species of flora and fauna. It is easy to observe several species of crocodiles, toucan, monkeys, slots, macaws, iguanas and some others. Among such species we find the majestic green sea turtle (Chelonia mydas) which has in Tortuguero 21 miles of beach to nest in (July to October); the largest nesting site of the western hemisphere. Tortuguero is considered the most important nesting site on the western half of the caribbean for the green turtle that comes to the beach to nest every year. Other species of sea turtles also nest along the park´s long beach stretch every year

Price: $195

Min age: 0

Rating 4.78 / 5 [23 ratings]

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The Authentic Tortuguero National Park One Day Tour

San Jose

“Tortuguero” is considered one of the most important western Caribbean for the green turtle ( Chelonia Mydas) as well as the Carey, who come to lay their eggs on the sandy beaches every year. Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica is located along the northern stretch of our Caribbean coast. It is one of the areas most exotic and rich in biodiversity in the country. It is known as “Tico Amazon” (Costa Rican Amazon) due to the fact that in Tortuguero there are no roads; the principle means of transportation being the dozens of fresh water canals throughout the park. To arrive at any of the few hotels in the area requires a motorboat ride of approximately 70 km through rivers and canals. It’s a spectacular adventure not to be missed. In the park scientists have identified missed distinct habitats making it likely to observe abundant wildlife including, several species of monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, iguanas, parrots, macaws, toucans and much more.

Price: $225

Min age: 1

Rating 4.36 / 5 [11 ratings]

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3-day Tortuguero Expedition

Siquirres

We have daily departures from San José, the Caribbean Coast and the Arenal Volcano, giving you the choice to start at the place of your preference. This is an excellent option to be combined with our Río Pacuare Rafting trips. $218 per person – Tortuguero Economy at Miss Miriam $258 per person – Tortuguero Standard at La Casona Both Hotels Miss Miriam and La Casona are located only five minutes from the Tortuguero National Park. They are focused on the respect, protection and conservation of the environment and of the flora and fauna of the area. Both feature rooms with private bath, hot water and fans. They have authentic Caribbean style, painted with bright colors that identify the culture of the area and lush gardens. Prices based on double occupancy. We apply a supplemental charge of $15 + tax for single travelers.

Price: $238

Min age: 1

Rating 4 / 5 [6 ratings]

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All inclusive package 2 nights 3 days in Tortuguero from San José

San Jose

Enjoy one of the best packages in Costa Rica, Tortuguero is one of the most sought after destinations in the world and this tour is designed for people without much time but who want to enjoy this wonderful experience from San José. Departing daily from the city of San José, you can enjoy this package any day, starting your experience you can enjoy the wonders of the rain forest and also the Caribbean flavor of the area.

Price: $437

Min age: 0

Rating 4.53 / 5 [30 ratings]

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Destination guides

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

Costa Rica

Rainforests, powdery beaches, white-water rivers and towering volcanoes: this relaxed Central American country offers exceptional wilderness adventures in stunning landscapes.

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