Beyond the
village

How to use this guide

This selection is for anyone with more than two days in Tortuguero, or arriving through the canals, who wants to get out of the village. Everything moves by boat, so group places by direction. To the north, Cerro Tortuguero, at 119 m, is the highest point on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, with a 1.1 km raised trail to a viewpoint over the wetland. Caño Palma is entered from the Penitencia lagoon, beside the hill, so the two fit into a morning. Barra del Colorado, much further north, is a separate trip: you arrive by air or boat, and it suits you if you are going tarpon fishing.

To the south, the Jalova sector has an entry control, ticket sales, toilets and two canals to explore, Aguas Negras and California. Parismina, a village of about 500 people with no road access, works as a stop on the canal route between Limón and Tortuguero. The Pacuare Reserve, in Matina, calls for an overnight stay if you want to join the turtle census: leatherbacks nest from March to July and hatchlings emerge from June to September, and outside that period it stays open for wildlife, birds and canals.

The Boat ride from La Pavona is your own arrival in the village: it takes 1 h 15 to 1 h 30, and birds, monkeys and caimans are often seen along the way. If you are short of time, keep to Cerro Tortuguero and Caño Palma, about 6 km north. If money is tight, the hill costs $2.26 on top of the park ticket, and Caño Palma is covered by the park ticket.

Tips

• For Caño Palma you need the park ticket, even though the canal lies inside the Barra del Colorado refuge.
• At Cerro Tortuguero, a local guide from San Francisco adds natural history and village life; the trail opens from 8:00 to 15:30.
• To Barra del Colorado overland: bus from Cariari to Puerto Lindo (4:30 and 14:00) and boat-bus to Barra (6:00 and 16:00). By small plane it is about 35 minutes from San José.
• There is no electricity at Pacuare: bring a red-light torch. Bookings are via WhatsApp (+506 8909 9122).
• Caño California has strong currents in the rainiest months, and at the La Pavona dock do not leave luggage inside your car.