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Costa Rica · Tortuguero

Tortuguero at night

What is allowed after sunset and what is not.

5 places2 closed or restricted, flagged

  1. Green turtle nesting tour1

    Photo: Los Paseos from Earth, CC BY-SA 2.0

    WildlifeSeasonal

    Green turtle nesting tour

    Tortuguero beach, public or park sector0.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    20:00 to 22:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    A guided night tour to watch green turtles lay eggs on Tortuguero beach. Trackers locate the turtles and radio the groups waiting at assigned points.

    Green turtles nest mainly from July to October, peaking in August and September (STC says June to November). You can only go with an authorised guide: the beach is closed at night without a tour.

    Source: Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística · 2026 · +3

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $$ · US$15–50
    Hours
    Slots from 20:00 to 22:00 and from 22:00 to midnight.
    Booking
    With a guide holding a turtle-watching licence; the guide enters a daily draw and confirms your sector and time after 17:00.

    Tip: Groups of at most 11 including the guide and 20 people per turtle, in turns of 10. Dark clothes, no flash or lights. Seeing a turtle is never guaranteed.

    Nearby: Leatherback nesting tour (0 km) · Tortuguero beach (daytime) (0 km) · Beach at night without a guide (0 km)

    Sources: Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística · SINAC – Parque Nacional Tortuguero · Sea Turtle Conservancy – Green turtles in Tortuguero · Sea Turtle Conservancy – Community outreach and Visitor’s Center

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  2. 2

    WildlifeSeasonal

    Leatherback nesting tour

    Tortuguero beach0.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    20:00 to 22:00
    Booking
    Not stated

    The leatherback, the world’s largest turtle, also nests in Tortuguero, though in smaller numbers than the green turtle. It is watched on the same guided night programme.

    The season runs roughly from March to May or June, with few turtles. If leatherbacks are your priority, the Pacuare Reserve monitors more nests of this species from March to July.

    Source: SINAC – Parque Nacional Tortuguero · 2026 · +2

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $$ · US$15–50
    Hours
    Slots from 20:00 to 22:00 and from 22:00 to midnight.
    Booking
    With a guide holding a turtle-watching licence; the guide enters a daily draw and confirms your sector and time after 17:00.

    Tip: Groups of at most 11 including the guide and 20 people per turtle, in turns of 10. Dark clothes, no flash or lights. Seeing a turtle is never guaranteed.

    Nearby: Green turtle nesting tour (0 km) · Tortuguero beach (daytime) (0 km) · Beach at night without a guide (0 km)

    Sources: SINAC – Parque Nacional Tortuguero · Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística · Sea Turtle Conservancy – Tortuguero research and conservation

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  3. 3

    WildlifeOpen

    Night walk and frog tour

    Tortuguero village and lodges0.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    $15
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    A guided walk after dark on private land outside the park to look for frogs, snakes, insects, bats, opossums and armadillos.

    Source: Rough Guides – Best Tortuguero National Park tours · 2024 · +1

    Practical details and sources
    Entry
    $$ · US$15–50
    Booking
    At your lodge or with local guides at the village information kiosk.

    Tip: Bring rubber boots, long sleeves and a torch with a red light if possible.

    Nearby: Tortuguero village (0 km) · Caribbean food in the village (0 km) · Green turtle nesting tour (0.1 km)

    Sources: Rough Guides – Best Tortuguero National Park tours · Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística

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  4. 4

    BeachClosed or prohibited

    Beach at night without a guide

    0.1 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    From 1 March to 31 October entering the beach between 18:00 and 6:00 is prohibited, from the river mouth to the park, to protect nesting turtles.

    Closed at night in nesting season. The only way to be on the beach at night is a turtle tour with an authorised guide, with no lights or flash.

    Source: Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística · 2026 · +1

    Cannot be saved: it is closed or prohibited.

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Green turtle nesting tour (0 km) · Leatherback nesting tour (0 km) · Tortuguero beach (daytime) (0 km)

    Sources: Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística · SINAC – Parque Nacional Tortuguero

  5. 5

    WildlifeClosed or prohibited

    Night walks on park trails

    0.6 km from the centre

    Entry
    Not stated
    Hours
    Not stated
    Booking
    Not stated

    Park rules prohibit night walks or visits on its land and water trails, except the turtle programme on the beach.

    Prohibited by the park. To see frogs and nocturnal wildlife, take a night walk on private land in the village or at your lodge.

    Source: Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística · 2026

    Cannot be saved: it is closed or prohibited.

    Practical details and sources

    Nearby: Cuatro Esquinas sector (0 km) · El Jaguar trail (0 km) · Caño Harold (0 km)

    Sources: Área de Conservación Tortuguero – Información turística

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