Tortuguero National Park

Remote Jungle, Canals & Sea Turtles

Quick answer

Tortuguero National Park is a remote Caribbean-coast wilderness in Limón province, accessible only by boat or small plane — there is no road into the park. It is approximately 4 hours from San José by combined road and boat transfer. The park protects 26,156 hectares of canals, coastal rainforest, and one of the most important green sea turtle nesting beaches in the Western Hemisphere. Best time to visit: green turtle nesting runs July through October, with peak activity in August and September; leatherbacks nest February through April. Wildlife sightings include three monkey species, sloths, caimans, and over 300 bird species year-round. Top activities are guided boat or kayak tours of the canals at dawn, night turtle-watching tours (July to October only, by licensed guides), and visiting the small village of Tortuguero. Bring rain gear; this is one of the wettest regions in Costa Rica.

Why Visit Tortuguero?

Tortuguero is Costa Rica’s remote Amazon-like coastal rainforest, known for its dramatic canal system, prolific wildlife, and seasonal turtle nesting. Ideal for wildlife enthusiasts, photographers, and eco-minded families, it delivers an immersive nature experience—canoeing alongside caimans by day and witnessing sea turtles nesting by night.

Getting there is part of the experience: there is no road into Tortuguero, so every visitor arrives by boat along the canals or by small plane. That isolation is exactly why the wildlife is so unbothered — caimans sun themselves metres from the boats and three monkey species move through the village itself.

Destination highlight — The intricate labyrinth of Tortuguero’s canals, where the rainforest meets the Caribbean Sea. (Image 1 of 13)

Top Activities in Tortuguero National Park

Canoe or Boat on the Rainforest Canals

Glide quietly through Tortuguero’s winding waterways, spotting monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, and more.

Guided Rainforest Hikes

Follow expert guides along flat trails inside the National Park. Learn about local flora and fauna in a lush setting.

Turtle Nesting Night Tours (July–October)

Witness green and leatherback turtles nesting and laying eggs during a licensed, conservation-conscious night walk.

What to Do? Featured Tours

Recommended

Tortuguero Canal Wildlife Boat Tour

Expert naturalist guides lead you through winding canals in search of sloths, monkeys, caimans, and a variety of tropical birds.

Recommended

Guided Night Turtle Nesting Walk

Available from July to October, these guided walks offer the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to witness sea turtles nesting undisturbed.

Recommended

Canoe Tour in Tortuguero National Park

Navigate narrow, motor-free waterways in certified canoes for a peaceful, eco-friendly wildlife adventure.

Recommended

Cerro Tortuguero Hike & Viewpoint

Hike the gentle trail up Cerro Tortuguero for panoramic views over the village, jungle, canals, and Caribbean ocean.

Best time to visit Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero is hot and humid year-round, with rainfall varying across seasons:

March to May:: Offers the lowest rainfall and excellent nesting activity—ideal for most travelers.
Green Season (June–Nov):: Heavier rain but the peak time for turtle nesting tours (July–October).
Dec–Feb:: Warm, wet, and rich in wildlife activity as the landscape is fully lush.

Metric	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Avg High (°F)	88	88	87	87	87	87	88	86	87	87	85	88
Avg Low (°F)	68	68	69	71	71	71	71	71	71	71	69	69
Rainfall (in)	12.5	8.3	8.0	10.9	11.0	11.7	16.8	12.3	5.7	8.2	15.4	17.5

How to Get to Tortuguero National Park?

There is no road into Tortuguero. The standard route is about 3 hours by road from San Jose to La Pavona or Cano Blanco, then a 1 to 1.5 hour boat transfer through the canals to the village — roughly 4 hours door to door. Small planes also fly from San Jose to the village airstrip.

Rental Car + Boat:

Drive ~3 hours from San José to La Pavona or Caño Blanco, then transfer to a boat for the scenic trip to the village.

Shared Shuttle Combo:

Reliable boat-shuttle packages from San José or other major hubs.

Private Shuttle Service:

Personalized door-to-door comfort. Click here for private transportation info.

Best Travel Tips for Tortuguero National Park

Pack lightweight rain gear. Tortuguero is one of Costa Rica’s wettest regions; stay prepared for humidity and showers.
Bring binoculars. Much of the wildlife viewing happens from the boat; binoculars are essential for spotting sloths and birds.
Book turtle tours in advance. July through October is very busy; licensed guides fill up quickly.
Carry cash (USD or colones). While lodges take cards, many local shops and boat operators prefer cash.
Respect the quiet. When on turtle walks or canal tours, keep noise to a minimum to avoid disturbing the ecosystem.

Top Restaurants in Tortuguero National Park

Tortuga Lodge & Gardens Restaurant
Dine on Caribbean-inspired dishes in lush riverside gardens. Known for fresh seafood and panoramic canal views.
Miss Miriam’s Sabor Caribeño
A family-run favorite serving authentic rice and beans, fresh seafood, and tropical flavors in a casual setting.
Budda Café Tortuguero
A cozy café offering coffee, smoothies, and light meals—perfect for a wholesome bite between adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions about Tortuguero National Park

When can I see turtles nesting in Tortuguero?

Green turtles nest July through October, peaking in August and September — this is the reason most people come. Leatherbacks nest February through April in smaller numbers. Night turtle tours run only during nesting season, only with licensed guides, and with no flash photography or white light allowed on the beach.

Is Tortuguero worth visiting outside turtle season?

Yes. The canals hold three monkey species, sloths, caimans, river otters and over 300 bird species year-round, and dawn boat or kayak tours are excellent in any month. You simply trade the nesting spectacle for lower prices and a much quieter village.

How do you get to Tortuguero?

By boat or small plane only — there is no road. Most visitors drive or shuttle about 3 hours from San Jose to La Pavona or Cano Blanco, then take a 1 to 1.5 hour boat through the canals. Combined road-and-boat packages are the simplest way to book it.

How many nights do I need in Tortuguero?

Two nights. The transfers eat most of the arrival and departure days, so a single night leaves you with one dawn tour and little else. Two nights gives you a proper canal tour at first light, a rainforest hike, and — in season — a night turtle walk.

What should I pack for Tortuguero?

This is one of the wettest regions in Costa Rica: bring a real rain jacket, quick-dry clothing, a dry bag for cameras and phones, strong insect repellent and binoculars. Dark clothing is required for night turtle tours. Cash is useful — card acceptance in the village is patchy.