If you are planning a trip to Costa Rica, you really should not miss Tortuguero National Park. Luckily for you, I have been there twice and I will share my knowledge and experience to help you plan a wonderful trip.
Located on the northern Caribbean coast, Tortuguero is blissfully isolated and not exactly easy to reach. Yet, it’s worth visiting, and you should consider adding it to your Costa Rica itinerary.
In this post, I highlight everything you should know about Tortuguero, Costa Rica. I will be sharing the best things to do in Tortuguero, such as visiting Tortuguero National Park, and useful information to help you plan your visit.
What To Do In Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Visit Tortuguero National Park
Spread across a whopping 31,000 hectares, Tortuguero National Park benefits from an incredible biodiversity. It’s the third most visited national park in Costa Rica, and a great place to discover the incredible wildlife that lives in the area.
There are various trails inside the national park – the longest one is 3.5 km (little over 2 miles) that you can walk on your own. You can also explore the National Park by boat.
If you intend to walk the trails inside Tortuguero National Park, wear the right shoes. It rains a lot, so it can be very muddy. If you don’t have the right shoes, you can rent rubber boots in town for a small fee.
Throughout the year you’ll be able to spot amphibians such as the famous red-eyed frog and the poison dart frog; crocodiles and caimans, iguanas, and various kinds of snakes.
Around 60 species of mammals populate the area. Spider monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and howler monkeys are easy to spot, as well as sloths; whereas the jaguar is infinitely more elusive – most visitors only get to see its footprints, but even that’s unique if you ask me.
If you are into birdwatching, you will be in for a real treat: more than 300 species of birds live in Tortuguero, with macaws, parakeets, kingfishers, ospreys, and toucans all easy to spot.
Whether you want to take a boat ride around the park or just hike, I recommend hiring a guide to make the most of all the wildlife. Guides have a trained eye and may help you spot species that you won’t otherwise be able to see.
I recommend this boat tour along the canals of Tortuguero National Park for higher chance of spotting local wildlife. The tour lasts 3 hours but does not include the national park admission.
Tortuguero National Park is open daily from 6:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Admission is $15 USD for adults and $5 for children, and can be paid at the entrance in either cash or card.
Go on a turtle observation tour
The main reason to visit Tortuguero is to admire turtles – though you need to visit in the right season for that. You can expect to see green turtles (the most common ones), but also leatherbacks, hawksbill, and loggerhead turtles.
Depending on the season, you can see turtles laying their eggs, or turtles hatching – either way, it is a wonderful experience.
When I last visited, I was able to see turtles hatching and going to the water. The guide shared interesting information – for example, that the temperature determines the gender of the turtles (colder temperatures mean male turtles); and that their main predators are large mammals such as jaguars (though vultures are predators of new-born turtles).
If you are going on a tour to see turtles laying their eggs, the guide will take you to a designated area where turtles may be nesting, and from there you will be able to observe them.
Tours take place after dark, usually departing at 7:00 or 8:00 pm and lasting about 3 hours. You can enquire in the tourist information office located close to the dock for more information. If you visit in the peak season, advanced bookings are recommended – you can also book your turtle-watching tour online.
It is important to be absolutely respectful and follow your guide’s instructions. You should not raise your voice, you should not use a flash or any strong light as it may disorient the turtles, and you should wear dark clothes.
The Sea Turtle Conservancy Tortuguero Visitor Center is a good place to get more information on turtles and other species living in the area. There is a small admission fee and all profits go to the conservation of turtles.
Go on a night tour
I did a bunch of night tours during my trip to Costa Rica, and I loved each of them. Many animals living in Tortuguero – frogs, snakes, crocodiles, bats, spiders, and even jaguars – are nocturnal, so your best chance to spot them is on a night tour.
You will be going around with a flashlight and your expert guide will be carefully listening to the noises and movements in the forest to spot the animals, then pointing the light for you to see.
I recommend this highly-rated night walk in Tortuguero – you will be in a small group and the tour lasts 2.5 hours.
Night tours of Tortuguero National Park are not offered during turtle season, for obvious reasons: the flashlight you may be using to spot animals may disorient the turtles.
Kayak across the rivers and canals
For the most sporty ones, a kayak tour around the canals and waterways of Tortuguero may be a great idea.
What’s fantastic about exploring on a kayak is that while some areas are off-limits to motorized boats, they are not to kayaks! On the other hand, you should keep in mind that it can get extremely hot as you paddle along, so you really need to leave first thing in the morning.
You can rent your own kayak (various places in the village have them for rent) and explore independently, but for more chances of spotting animals, I believe you should hire a local guide or simply join a guided tour.
I recommend this guided kayak tour. It’s a small group tour – no more than 8 participants, and there are 3 daily departures – but I recommend opting for the earliest tour as animals are more active in the cooler hours of the day.
Hike Cerro Tortuguero
Believe it or not, there really is a mountain near Tortuguero, called Cerro Tortuguero (Literally, Tortuguero Mountain). It’s the highest peak in the Caribbean side of the country, and it’s a fun place to go for a short hike.
From there you can enjoy beautiful views of the canals and the jungle, and you will get to spot a lot of wildlife on the way. When I visited, I saw various species of frogs and spiders, leaf-cutter ants, woodpeckers and several more species of birds.
You will be walking along a very well-marked trail with a staircase that leads you to the top. It’s not a difficult hike, but keep in mind that the heat and humidity are definitely a factor.
The trailhead to Cerro Tortuguero is about 10 minutes by boat from the village.
Hang at Playa Tortuguero
The beach is what made Tortuguero famous – it’s where turtles nest! Yet, it’s not nearly as beautiful as many others in Costa Rica (for example that of Manuel Antonio National Park).
Regardless of that, Playa Tortuguero is a good place to hang out, go for a walk, and catch some fresh air in the late afternoon.
On any walk, you will be able to spot hermit crabs, various species of birds (the most common are vultures, but you may even see toucans and macaws) and even turtles when they hatch!
I saw people swimming in Playa Tortuguero but this is not recommended. The current is very strong, and there are sharks in the sea and a high risk of shark attacks.
Explore the village
Tortuguero is a truly small village – around 2,000 people live there. The village is a grid of dirt roads you can crisscross in a really short time. It literally won’t take you more than 15 minutes to walk from one end (where Miss Junie Hotel is located) to the other (where you’ll find the entrance to Tortuguero National Park).
Most people in the village are of Jamaican descent, and speak Limonese Creole, a dialect of Jamaican Creole. Even the cuisine is a bit different from that of the rest of Costa Rica – if anything, it is tastier.
The village has some nice souvenir shops, a church, restaurants, cafés where you can get a drink, and various local eateries. The vibe is very laidback and overall fun.
Is Tortuguero Worth Visiting?
Tortuguero is definitely worth visiting. In fact, I have been twice and both times had an amazing experience.
Tortuguero National Park is a prime wildlife-watching destination, and one of the best places in the world to see baby turtles hatch.
The name Tortuguero means “turtle catcher” and is a clear reference to the green sea turtles that each year, between July and October, visit the local beaches to lay their eggs.
When an American researcher defined it “the most important nesting site for green turtles in the Western Hemisphere” in the 1950s, Tortuguero became world famous and tourists started visiting. It was to protect turtles that the national park was created, in 1970.
But there’s more than just turtles in Tortuguero. This part of the country is known as Costa Rica’s Amazon thanks to its biodiversity: there are rainforests, mangrove forests, beaches, lagoons, and swamps – an ideal environment for a multitude of animals (mammals, amphibians and birds).
With such a beautiful, pristine environment and so much wildlife, you can easily conclude that Tortuguero is worth visiting!
Practical Guide
How to get to Tortuguero
Tortuguero is completely isolated and can only be reached by plane or by boat.
Boats to Tortuguero depart from La Pavona.
If you are renting a car in Costa Rica, getting to La Pavona is a matter of driving about 2.5 hours from San José or around 4.5 hours from Puerto Viejo. Once you are to La Pavona, you can park your car for a fee, and head straight to the dock to embark.
If you are traveling by bus, the journey is actually much longer as there are no direct buses from San José to La Pavona: you need to take a bus from San José Gran Terminal de Caribe (located in Calle Central, Ave 15) to Cariari and change there.
There are several daily departures, but try to opt for one of the earliest to make sure to make it to La Pavona in time for the last boat.
Many companies operate the boat ride from La Pavona to Tortuguero, so you are bound to find a ride pretty much as soon as you arrive. The company we used observes the following departure times:
Boats from La Pavona to Tortuguero leave at 7:00 am, 9:00 am, 11:15 am, 12:40 pm, 3:15 pm and 4:00 pm.
Boats from Tortuguero to La Pavona depart at 4:45 am, 6:40 am, 8:40 am, 10:40 am, and 1:30 pm.
The duration of the ride depends on the tide and the level of the water on the river.
The boat trip to Tortuguero is a fantastic introduction to this part of the country, with plenty of chances to admire wildlife. Make it a point to travel as early in the day as possible to enjoy it!
Another way to get to Tortuguero is by plane. The flight lasts about 30 minutes and is incredibly scenic, with views of volcanoes, mountains and jungle. Sansa operates daily flights from San José.
If you want to make the most of the landscape of Costa Rica, opt to get to Tortuguero by plane, and make your way back to San José by boat.
Organized tours to Tortuguero
For a completely hassle-free experience, if you don’t have a car you may want to join an organized tour from San José. This will include round-trip transportation (including boat transfers), accommodation for 2 nights, all meals and a naturalist guide to take you around Tortuguero.
I recommend this highly-rated tour of Tortuguero that lasts 3 full days and has a flexible cancellation policy, just in case your plans change.
There are some day trips to Tortuguero from San José, but unless you are very tight on time I recommend spending a minimum of 3 nights in Tortuguero.
How to move around Tortuguero
There are no cars in Tortuguero, and the village is so small that you can walk from one end to the other in no more than 15 minutes. There is a main road that pretty much follows the river and side streets that take you to the beach.
Best time to visit Tortuguero, Costa Rica
The reason why Tortuguero is so lush should be obvious: it rains a lot! This is one of the wettest regions in Costa Rica so don’t count on a dry season here. I visited twice, once in October and once in January and it sure rained – although it was usually just showers that lasted for an hour at most.
The area is also very hot and humid, with temperatures during the day reaching 90°F (more than 32°C)!
The best time to visit Tortuguero if you are hoping to see turtles is July to October – that’s when they lay their eggs on the beach and when turtles hatch. Leatherback turtles nest from March to May.
I would definitely recommend planning your visit to Tortuguero around the turtle season.
When I visited the first time, in January, I saw no turtles at all – just pieces of shells along the beach. On the other hand, when I visited in October on my second trip to Costa Rica I saw turtles hatching on the beach and going into the ocean, and it was a fantastic experience.
Where to stay in Tortuguero
Plan to spend a minimum of 2 nights in Tortuguero to make the most of what it has to offer, and make sure to book your accommodation in advance as it may get busy at weekends and during turtle season.
Tortuguero has a good range of accommodation options for all budgets and needs. I have visited twice and tried several places, and here are my top selections:
Miss Junie – This is one of the historic hotels in Tortuguero and where I stayed on my last visit. It could definitely do with some maintenance, but the overall stay is good. Breakfast is not included in the rate, but there’s an on-site restaurant for meals.
Tortuga Lodge and Gardens – This is easily the best place to stay in town. It features spacious rooms with river views, a beautiful pool, a restaurant and a bar. Breakfast is included in the price.
Tortuguero Casa Pelican – This is an excellent mid-range option with comfortable rooms facing a lush garden.
Best restaurants in Tortuguero
There are many places to grab a bite in Tortuguero – from small street food stalls to local restaurants (known as “soda”) to more sophisticated cafés. Here are the places I tried and liked:
- Dorling Bakery – it opens at 5:00 am and starts serving breakfast at 6:00. It’s along the main street and you can grab a table by the waterfront.
- Soda D’Leite – the best local restaurant in the village.
- Miss Junie – an institution in Tortuguero, go there for its Pollo a la Caribeña (Caribbean style chicken).
- El Patio – I loved the waterfront location, and the food is really good. Portions are huge, so plan to share!
- Buddha Café – I found it did not live quite to the hype, but it’s definitely a nice location.
ATMs in Tortuguero
There is no ATM in Tortuguero, but cards are accepted everywhere. You can also pay cash – Colones and US Dollars are both accepted. If you intend to use cash, make sure to bring enough for the duration of your stay.
What to pack for Tortuguero
The weather in Tortuguero is very humid, with chances of rain throughout the year. Make sure to pack a waterproof jacket and quick dry clothes. You will need to wear good walking shoes or hiking sandals when exploring.
Use a good waterproof daypack – especially if you are bringing your camera gear. I recommend taking a long lens if you are into wildlife photography.
Finally, make sure to bring and apply mosquito repellent regularly.
Further Readings
For more information about Costa Rica, make sure to read my other posts:
- What You Must Know Before Visiting Costa Rica
- 20 Cool Things To Do In San Jose Costa Rica
- A Guide To Driving In Costa Rica
- Latin America Border Crossing: What You Need To Know
- 10 Best Things To Do In Puerto Viejo, Costa Rica
- How To Visit Nauyaca Waterfalls
- A Guide To The Rio Celeste Waterfall Hike
- 15 Must-See Waterfalls In Costa Rica
- A Useful Guide To Marino Ballena National Park
- How To Visit Cano Island
- The Best Things To Do In Manuel Antonio
- Is Costa Rica Safe For Tourists?
Pin It For Later!
Thank you for all the helpful information. I am off to Tortuguero in Sept
Glad to know it’s helpful!