Taking a boat tour in Tortuguero National Park is the best way to experience this nature lover's paradise. It offers an extraordinary rainforest immersion in winding canals of Tortuguero, where you can observe an abundance of wildlife with monkeys, sloths, caimans, iguanas, and many species of birds.

TIP: We recommend going in the morning hours as it is a period of intense activity for animals as they forage for the first meal of the day.

TIP: The boat tours are amazing year-round, but if you want a chance to see sea turtles nesting on the beaches, you need to be there during the nesting season from July to October.

TIP: The tours are usually organized by your hotel, but you can also go for our vetted recommendations in the links section — from full-day canoe and hiking tour to kayaking and turtle-focused tours.

Full-Day Guided Tour

Turtle Guided Tour

Kayak Guided Tour

Tortuguero Boat Tour

Tortuguero Village offers an eco-friendly, laid-back atmosphere with colorful streets where you'll find small shops selling handmade crafts and souvenirs, as well as cozy local eateries serving Caribbean-inspired cuisine.

The Sea Turtle Conservancy offers a small visitor center where you can learn about the vital turtle conservation efforts in the area, and if you're there during turtle nesting season, you can join a guided night tour to witness turtles laying eggs on the nearby beaches.

So if you are bored at your lodge — take a boat taxi and enjoy a walk through the village, stop by local souvenir shops or try some of the local delicious food.

Tortuguero Village

Catherine

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I’d pick Tortuguero Casa Pelican for a guesthouse stay. Being downtown is handy for exploring.

Costa Rica blew our minds when we first visited. Stunning nature, abundant wildlife, scenic beaches, all paired up with incredibly thoughtful stays — a true nature lover's paradise. We invite you to experience this place with our curated activities, hand-picked stays, and crafted plans.

Laguna Lodge is a charming modern guesthouse located right in Tortuguero village, situated on a narrow strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and Tortuguero Lagoon, offering stunning views of the surrounding landscape.

Tortuguero Casa Pelican

Endless white- and black-sand beaches, boutique hotels, jungles, and wildlife.

Caribbean Beach Escape

Explore all regions of Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific coast.

Costa Rica Highlights

Endless white-sand beaches, boutique hotels, jungles, and wildlife.

Pacific Beach Escape

Navigate the jungle canals of Tortuguero National Park, a sanctuary for turtles, monkeys, and countless bird species. It's a place where the rhythms of nature dictate the pace of life.

Tortuguero

Tortuguero is a remote village accessible only by boat or plane. While flight might seem like a faster option, we strongly encourage taking a boat — a safer, cheaper, and much more scenic route.

TIP: Boat transfer is often provided by your hotel, so we don't recommend arranging this transfer before you book your stay.

TIP: Park your car at La Pavona Harbour for the duration of your stay (~$10/day) and enjoy the nature of Tortuguero National Park. Check the links section for more details.

Pavona Harbour Website

Ferry to Tortuguero

While flight might seem like a faster option, we strongly encourage taking a boat – a safer, cheaper, and much more scenic route.

TIP: Another reason we discourage traveling by plane is a few tragic recent crashes, along with outdated local flight industry regulations in Costa Rica.

Tortuguero Casa Pelican

Things to do around Tortuguero

Tortuguero Boat Tour

Tortuguero Village

Costa Rica itineraries with this stay