About Tortuguero
Explore Costa Rica
Overview
The popular Tortuguero National Park is covered with canals and verdant rainforest, populated with more than 800 species of birds, fish and intriguing wildlife, including sleek jaguars and massive manatees.
Its freshwater lagoons and creeks can be accessed via canoe or boat. The region’s friendly inhabitants are made up of a distinctive mix of Afro-Caribbean, Creole and Central American cultures, fostering a melting pot unique in all of Costa Rica, plus some of the region’s most amazing cuisine.
Although no roads lead directly to Tortuguero, visitors can take a boat from Moin near Limón, and continue along the canal to Tortuguero. A brief plane ride from San José is another option. However you decide to travel, once you arrive in lush, tranquil Tortuguero, you’ll realize the journey was worth the trek.
What To Do
Witness turtles hatch or lay their eggs at night on one of Tortuguero National Park’s incredible nesting beaches.
Explore a variety of creatures along the canal, such as colorful birds and ancient-looking crocodiles, via canoe or kayak.
Zipline or walk across suspension bridges high above the rainforest.
Go birding through lush forests. Interact with welcoming locals in the sparsely populated, laidback villages of Tortuguero along the stunning Caribbean coast.
Relax at one of the area’s splendid lodges overlooking breathtaking waters and forests.
When to Go
It rains throughout the year in the warm Costa Rican town of Tortuguero. The drier season runs from January through April and September to October. The average temperature remains around a balmy 88 F.
Fast Facts
Turtle nesting times run primarily between early March and mid-October.
There are no banks or ATMs in Tortuguero, so bring cash or colónes. Costa Rica’s currency, known as colón or colónes, was named after Christopher Columbus, or Cristóbal Colón, in Spanish.
Travel Tips & Tools
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