Tortuguero Costa Rica

Tortuguero Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in the country. Located in the Northern Caribbean region, it enjoys a warm and humid temperature making it the perfect home to 57 species of amphibians, 111 species of reptiles, and 60 species of mammals. It is a very special place due to the arrival of the sea turtles at the beach every year.  Among the best things to do in Tortuguero is also birdwatching. More than 300 resident and migrant bird species live in this region. Other animals commonly seen are fishing bats, three-toed sloths, iguanas, basilisk lizards, poison dart frogs, and howler, white-faced and spider monkeys.

Things to do in Tortuguero

Tortuguero National Park
This park protects one of the region's most important and unique natural resources: a 22-kilometer stretch of shoreline that serves as the principal nesting site throughout the western half of the Caribbean Sea for the Atlantic Green Sea Turtle. The nesting season for the green turtles extends from July to October. 

Tortuguero canals
The canals, estuaries and jungle lagoons are the main attractions in Tortuguero. You can tour around the canals with a local naturalist guide and discover the dense rainforest, local fauna (monkeys, sloths, birds) as well as aquatic fauna such as crocodiles and caimans.

Guided tour to town
Tortuguero is a very small village set on the main island. It’s only a couple of blocks wide at most and the main street stretches between guest houses, tourist shops, mini-supermarkets and restaurants. There are no cars around.

Sea Turtles
Tortuguero beach is the most important nesting site of the endangered green turtle in the Western Hemisphere. Giant Leatherback, Hawksbill, and Loggerhead turtles also nest in this area. The nesting season runs from July to October with its peak in August. The Leatherback turtles nest from March to July.

Location and Map

The village of Tortuguero is surrounded by the waters of the Caribbean Ocean and canals and is only accessible by boat or airplane. The roads will take you as far as the towns of La Pavona or Moin. La Pavona is located 117 km/ 73 miles from San Jose , about a 2 hour 30 minute drive. The boat from Pavona to Tortuguero can take up to 2 hours depending on the tides.