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Waterway among treetops and mist-covered forest.

Tortuguero

Canals, turtles and rainforest

Before you go, understand the place.

Tortuguero has no roads: you arrive by boat or small plane, and the village has no cars. Days are organised around the rainforest canals and the nesting season.

By Asesordeviaje.com Editorial Team · updated

Our view

Is it worth it?
Yes, if exploring jungle canals by boat or kayak appeals to you, as that is the core activity of any visit. The turtles are the big draw, but they are seasonal (green turtles mainly from July to October, leatherbacks from March to May or June).
Who it suits
For anyone who enjoys watching wildlife from the water, for birdwatchers (the park records 442 species) and for those who want a car-free village. Less so for anyone after a beach to swim at, as SINAC advises against swimming in the sea and the lagoons, or for those who do not want to depend on boats and timetables. It rains every month.
How many days
Getting there takes about 5 hours by road and boat, or about 30 minutes by light aircraft, so your arrival day gets little done. The main activities happen early in the morning (canals) and at night (turtles in season), so the visit calls for at least one night there.
The usual mistake
Going for the turtles without checking the season, or assuming you will see one: they can only be seen on the authorised guided tour and nobody guarantees a sighting. Also, park tickets are bought online through SINAC's system, not at the Cuatro Esquinas post.
If you are short on time
An early boat or canoe tour of the canals (Caño Harold, or Chiquero and Mora if you paddle), Cerro Tortuguero or the village in the afternoon and, in season, the nesting tour at night. To choose your own tours, stay in the village; at package lodges, the lodge sets the schedule.

Themed guides

Places grouped by theme, to plan your day.

  • The park’s water trails

    Tortuguero’s official canals, which allow motors and which are paddle-only.

    Open the full guide

  • Turtles: seasons and tours

    When each species nests, how the guided tour works and where to learn more.

    Open the full guide

  • Tortuguero at night

    What is allowed after sunset and what is not.

    Open the full guide

  • Free or cheap

    The village, the beach and plans costing a few dollars.

    Open the full guide

  • With kids or on rainy days

    Short, indoor or family-friendly activities.

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  • Beyond the village

    A hill, refuges and coastal villages reached by boat.

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  • Closed or restricted

    Rules that limit access to the beach and trails, and alternatives.

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Plan your visit

The practical information you need to plan your visit

The essentials

Best time to go
It rains in every month. SINAC lists March, April and October as the least rainy and July and December as the rainiest. Green turtles nest mainly from July to October and leatherbacks from March to May or June.
Getting there
There is no road to the village: you go by car, bus or shuttle to a dock (La Pavona or Caño Blanco, about 115 km and 3 h from San José) and then by boat for 1 h 15 to 1 h 30. The whole trip takes around 5 hours. SANSA also flies from San José in about 30 minutes.
  1. SINAC describes it as the most important green sea turtle nesting beach in the western hemisphere; leatherback, hawksbill and loggerhead turtles also nest here.
  2. The park covers 76,937 ha (26,653 land and 50,284 marine) and was declared a national park in 1970.
  3. It records 442 bird species, 138 mammal species and 734 plant species, and protects manatee and jaguar habitat.
  4. The official water trails include the Tortuguero River (4.3 km), Caño Harold (3.5 km, motorboats allowed) and Caño Chiquero-Mora (2.3 km, canoe or kayak only).
  5. Cerro Tortuguero (119 m) has a 1.1 km elevated trail with views over the Caribbean coastal wetlands.

Where to stay

Tortuguero village
A small car-free village with tour offices, sodas and simple to mid-range cabins. The most practical base if you want to choose your own tours, including the turtle tour.
Canal-side lodges
Lodges with their own dock outside the village. They are usually sold as packages with transfers, meals and tours, so your schedule depends on the lodge.
San Francisco and Cerro Tortuguero
A quiet community near the hill trail with few services. Good for a short stop or to see local life.

Tips and precautions

  1. Buy the park ticket through SINAC’s online system (serviciosenlinea.sinac.go.cr). The conservation area says tickets are not sold at the Cuatro Esquinas ranger post.
  2. Turtles can only be seen on the guided programme: a permitted guide joins a daily lottery for a beach sector and time slot, and groups are limited to 11 people including the guide. Seeing a turtle is never guaranteed.
  3. From 1 March to 31 October the beach is closed to everyone from 18:00 to 06:00 except on those authorised tours. Flash and lights are not allowed, and neither are night walks.
  4. The official opening hours do not match (SINAC: 6:00–12:00 and 13:00–16:00; the conservation area: 6:00–15:00). Plan to finish before 15:00.
  5. Bring rain gear, repellent, sunscreen and rubber boots, and keep electronics in waterproof bags during the boat ride.
  6. The Costa Rican Tourism Board (ICT) issues general, local and specialised tour-guide credentials and publishes a list of guides on its website. That list lets you look up your guide’s credential.

Safety and precautions

  • SINAC advises against swimming in the sea and lagoons because of dangerous currents, boat traffic and wildlife.
  • The UK FCDO notes several small-boat incidents in the area and thefts on the Caribbean coast: do not leave luggage inside vehicles at docks or car parks.

Frequently asked questions

Can I get there by road?

No. You can go by car, bus or shuttle to a dock such as La Pavona or Caño Blanco and continue by boat, or fly with SANSA from San José in about 30 minutes. The last stretch is always by water or air, and the village has no cars.

Do I need a guide to see turtles?

Yes, for the beach at night. From 1 March to 31 October you can only enter between 18:00 and 06:00 on an authorised tour, in groups of up to 11 people and with no lights or flash.

When is the best time to see turtles?

Green turtles nest mainly from July to October, peaking in August and September; leatherbacks come ashore roughly from March to May or June, in smaller numbers. It rains all year, and SINAC recommends confirming the start of the season before you travel.

Sources

Information checked in . Prices, hours and rules change: confirm them with the official source before you travel.

  1. SINAC – Parque Nacional Tortuguero2026
  2. Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística2026
  3. SANSA – Vuelos a Tortuguero2026
  4. Two Weeks in Costa Rica – Getting to Tortuguero2026
  5. Rough Guides – Tortuguero National Park2026
  6. Sea Turtle Conservancy – Green turtles in Tortuguero2026
  7. UK FCDO – Costa Rica safety and security2026
  8. ICT – Guías de turismo2026

Everything you can do

Closed or restricted places are included and flagged, so you know what to expect.

Showing 28 of 28 · 2 closed or restricted, flagged

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Sea, beach and reef · 2

Lakes, rivers and waterfalls · 6

Living culture · 2

City and food · 2

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