Tortuguero is a village located in the north of the Caribbean coast. It can only be reached by air or sea, and once you're there, you'll feel like you're at the end of the world. Tortuguero, literally "Where the turtles lay their eggs", is also known as "The Little Amazon". This name is due to the impressive vegetation that lines the network of canals and lagoons in Tortuguero National Park.
You'll have the opportunity to take a boat or kayak tour of these canals to enjoy the magnificent scenery all around you, and perhaps spot caimans or small crocodiles blending in with the floating branches.
In the village of Tortuguero, home to around 1,800 people, everything is very colorful and the atmosphere is very reminiscent of Jamaica. Although it's a small village, in addition to the numerous hotels, you'll find several churches, a soccer stadium and even a small auditorium. Its inhabitants live almost exclusively from tourism and fishing. If you wish, you can sample the local food on site, such as Casado, a typically Costa Rican rice-based dish, here cooked with coconut milk.
Tortuguero National Park:
Tortuguero has 35 km of beaches, some of which run alongside the village. The sea is rough and swimming is forbidden for safety reasons, but it's here that turtles have been laying their eggs for hundreds of years. In season, from February to July for leatherbacks and from July to October for green turtles, for example, you can admire this incredibly moving spectacle. Night tours accompanied by a guide are even available to enjoy the calm and silence of the night.
The village's main attraction is Tortuguero National Park.Admission costs $15, but is included in the price if you take a canal tour. Stroll along well-marked trails through the heart of the rainforest and catch a glimpse of the animals that inhabit the park. There are 309 species of birds, 111 species of reptiles, 57 species of amphibians and 60 species of mammals. You'll find some of the country's most famous animals, including agoutis, tree-top sloths, toucans, hummingbirds and several species of monkey, including spider monkeys and howler monkeys. If you don't come across the latter, you're sure to hear its distinctive call! It may even have woken you up in the morning, just before sunrise.
What to see in Tortuguero National Park?
The village of Tortuguero is considered one of Costa Rica's must-see destinations. Often on offer the day after tourists arrive, Tortuguero National Park offers a complete change of scenery and the chance to observe numerous wild animals in a magical setting.
But how was Tortuguero born?
First, a little history.
History tells of 5 major periods in the creation of this picturesque little village.
The pre-Columbian period
The first recorded inhabitants of Tortuguero are thought to be Mayans from what is now Mexico. They lived mainly from hunting and fishing, but also from collecting eggs laid by turtles on the beach. They were also known to grow cassava and were very fond of the palm fruit known as "pejibaye".
Dwellings were built using locally available materials: palm-leaf roofs overhung a conical structure in which several families lived.
This Maya colonization was due to the expansion desired by the Maya emperor, who wished to explore Nicaragua and Costa Rica in search of gold.
The colonial period
The first recognized presence of Spanish settlers in the Tortuguero region was in the San Juan de la Cruz area, some 40 km north of Tortuguero. This small colony, founded in 1541, was intended to facilitate trade between Panama and Nicaragua. 25 inhabitants lived there and stayed for only about 2 years. Throughout the 19th century, small Spanish colonies succeeded one another, their mission being to maintain this site for trade routes.
Tortuguero saw the arrival of small Afro-Caribbean families looking for work. But the establishment of large cocoa plantations in the south of Tortuguero enslaved the indigenous and Afro-Caribbean population.
The arrival of the train
A rail link between Limon and San José was built in 1890. Prior to this event, all transport was via the central valley (Turrialba) and took much longer.
That's why, in 1871, hundreds of English-speaking Afro-Caribbeans, mainly from Jamaica, came to work on the construction of the railway. They brought with them the way of life and culture so typical of today's Tortuguero.
The era of timber harvesting
Considered one of the most significant periods in Tortuguero's history, many "old-timers" still remember the opening of the first sawmill in 1940. This event transformed the village; the population quadrupled, a school was created, transport was developed and a health system was set up.
In those days, the companies paid fixed wages, which was a considerable advance in the conditions of the time. However, the growing population of the small village of Tortuguero had the effect of overpopulating the village, resulting in a difficult economic situation.
If you visit the village of Tortuguero, you'll be able to see some remnants of this era right in the center of the village. Rusty old machines are still visible. The canals of Tortuguero themselves are a legacy of this era, as companies dug canals to transport the many floating logs by river.
Currently: tourism development
With the end of logging in the Tortuguero area, many workers left the village and Tortuguero returned for a time to agriculture, with the inhabitants living off hunting and fishing. However, the creation of Tortuguero National Park in 1972 changed all that. Turtles were no longer seen as a source of food (via their eggs), but as an object of preservation and later as a tourist attraction.
The Caribbean Turtle Conservation Center
This non-profit organization is the oldest and most recognized sea turtle protection association in the world.
Founded in 1959 by Mr. Joshua B. Powers following the studies of biologist Dr. Archie Carr and his book "The Windward Road". This book first alerted the public to the danger facing sea turtles. Numerous volunteers from all over the world work to conserve sea turtles in Tortuguero, but not only in Tortuguero, as the CCCT is present throughout Central America.
A tourist center dedicated to the organization can be seen in the village of Tortuguero. Here you can see how the turtles are counted, the work of the volunteers and a short video to give visitors a better idea of the phenomenon of turtle egg-laying.
When is the right season to visit Tortuguero?
Tortuguero National Park is renowned for its "aguaceros" (heavy rains), but what is it really like?
The dry season in Tortuguero: we can consider that the mildest climate for this area of the North Caribbean are the months of February, March, September and October.
The wet season in Tortuguero: the rainy season extends from November to January and from April to August. These months are characterized by sunny mornings and very rainy afternoons.
For more details on precipitation:
What to do in Tortuguero National Park
The turtle tourTURTLE EGG-LAYING IN COSTA RICA
Source: wwf Costa Rica
The leatherback turtle and the Atlantic green turtle:
If you visit Tortuguero National Park between April and October, you'll have the opportunity to observe these giants of the sea coming to lay their eggs on Tortuguero beach. A local association is in charge of organizing the tours, with professionally trained guides. Prices depend on the provider, but in any case you'll have to pay your entrance fee for Tortuguero National Park (currently, 2015, the rate is 15$ USD per adult). Please note that it is forbidden to bring cameras to film the egg-laying, as turtles are very sensitive to light and it would be extremely regrettable to prevent the egg-laying of a turtle and therefore the survival of the species in order to get a good photo. We recommend wearing dark clothing and making as little noise as possible.
Source: wwf Costa Rica
The birth of turtles
In Tortuguero National Park, from November to January, you may be lucky enough to see turtle eggs hatching all along the beach. After hatching, the baby turtles rise to the surface and make their first dash for the ocean. It's more common to see this superb and moving spectacle in the early morning or late afternoon.
Tortuguero National Park
The most popular way to visit Tortuguero National Park is by motorboat. Depending on the service provider, the boats will be more or less noisy (some use totally silent electric motors). Tortuguero is surrounded by rivers, canals and the Atlantic Ocean. Many hotels offer the possibility of visiting the canals by kayak with a naturalist guide, or by canoa. This type of canoe allows you to get up close to the animals without frightening them, and make the most of Tortuguero National Park. But beware: you'll need to row for several hours.
Currently, in 2015, rates have been set at 15 USD/ per adult and 2$USD/ child under 12.
Tortuguero National Park was created on November 17, 1975, and has a protected area of 18,946.9 hectares on land and 52,265 hectares on sea.
What animals can you see in Tortuguero National Park?
Tortuguero National Park is famous for its turtles, but it's also extremely popular with nature lovers.
Here you can see 3 types of monkey: the spider monkeythe howler monkey and the capuchin monkey.
Many mammals, such as the Mexican Tamanduathe lazy with two and three fingersand white-tailed deerThe list is long, very long.
Birdlife is also abundant, with species such as green macaws, keeled toucans, Swainson's toucans, numerous species of waterfowl and many more...
Apart from the turtles, the area's animals include the Jaguar, Tapir, pink dolphin, manatee and otter. So many extraordinary animals that make Tortuguero a unique place. Tortuguero National Park boasts the largest concentration of Jaguar in Costa Rica, according to the Costa Rican Wildlife Organization. Pantera.
Visit to the museum of the Caribbean Turtle Conservation Centre
Located to the north of the village, this organization has set up a small museum to better explain their actions to the general public. The small museum is generally manned by volunteers who will be delighted to show you their work to protect the turtles. A small adjacent souvenir will allow you to leave with a small gift to offer, and the funds will go back to the organization.
Open from 10:00 to 12:00 and from 14:00 to 17:30 (except Sundays, when the museum closes at 17:00). Admission is 1$, but donations are, of course, welcome.
A visit to the village itself
With its elongated shape, its geographical location (bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other by a brackish-water channel), and the people who live there, the village of Tortuguero is worth a visit in itself.
You'll find a Caribbean atmosphere where everyone gets around on foot or by bike. Among the most unusual places you'll find a school facing the ocean, a soccer pitch overlooking the beach and lined with coconut palms where the locals love to meet up after work, a grocery store where the names of indebted customers who haven't paid their debts are displayed, and all these colorful, lively houses on stilts. Don't hesitate to go dancing or singing (karaoke) at the local disco: La Culebra. A change of scenery guaranteed.
How to get to Tortuguero
Several access options are available:
The easiest: internal flights
A local airline stands out for the quality of its flights to Tortuguero National Park.
The company Sansa Costa Rica Airline: Link
These companies offer departures from Costa Rica's main cities, and prices are reasonable. Be careful, however, about baggage weight limits.
The most common: by private bus and private boat
Many Tortuguero lodges offer ready-made packages. These usually include transport from San José on one of their buses, full board and lodging, transfers on their own boats and on-site tours. All you have to do is choose one of these packages, indicate your departure point in San José and your arrival point (also in San José) and let yourself be guided.
The most authentic: Your car and the Tortuguero public boat
You can rent a car from San José or Alajuela (or from any of Costa Rica's main cities) and drive to the La Pavona or Caño Blanco landing stages. To find out which of the two landing stages is operational, you'll need to ask around, as this will depend on the water level in the canals. Generally speaking, La Pavona is the most popular.
From here, you can buy a ticket for the public boat that will take you to the village of Tortuguero.
The most economical: Public bus service and public boat
Certainly economical, but long and uncomfortable. Transportes Caribeños operates the San José-Cariari-San José route.
Timetables are as follows:
San José to Cariari:
Daily: 6:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 6:00pm and 7:00pm
Cariari to San José:
Daily: 5:30am, 6:30am, 7:30am 9:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:30pm
Drive to Tortuguero:
San Jose Tortuguero Route
From San José, take Route 32 towards Limon. You'll pass through Braulio Carillo National Park and the Zurqui tunnel. You will then reach the town of Guapiles.
Note: it is no longer possible to travel to Tortuguero from Sarapiqui. You had to cross the border into Nicaragua. Since Nicaragua has introduced strict sanitary measures, it is now forbidden to transit through Nicaragua to get to Tortuguero.
FROM GUAPILES TO CARIARI:
Once in Guapiles, stay on Route 32 until you reach the Santa Clara gas station ("Servicentro Santa Clara"). About 100 m past the Burger King. After the gas station, turn left (north). Set the speedometer to zero and drive for 8.1 km, until you reach a crossroads. Turn left (do not cross the railroad line), drive along the railway line for about 700 m and then turn right onto the main road. (crossing the railway this time). Continue north for 10.4 km to reach Cariari. Please note that you should arrive in Cariari before 3:30 p.m., as no public boats leave for Tortuguero National Park after this time.
FROM CARIARI TO PAVONA:
From the Cariari petrol station, the only one in the village, continue for 7.1km.
Then turn right towards Campo Dos. You'll pass between banana plantations. Follow the signs for Campo Dos and Cuatro Esquinas. Continue along the asphalt road until you reach a soccer field on your left. Turn left onto the asphalt road. Continue until you reach the village of Cuatro Esquinas. From this point on, there will be no asphalt road. Continue straight on for 8.9km. Once you reach the "Abast Palacio" store in the small village of Palacios. Turn left after this store, then go straight on for 5.7km until you reach an old building. Turn left onto the dirt track and cross the bridge. Continue until you reach La Pavona.
You can park your car for 10$USD per night or 50$USD per week.
10 tips for enjoying Tortuguero National Park
When you take a trip along the canals of Tortuguero, always pack a rain cape. The climate in the Caribbean can change very quickly, and you could find yourself in a huge downpour in the middle of a national park.
Do not use a flash when taking wildlife photographs. This applies to all wildlife photography in Costa Rica.
Don't swim in the sea. Tortuguero beach has many rollers and the ocean is anything but calm in Tortuguero. What's more, many sharks swim around in search of turtles. The beach is unsupervised, so don't swim.
Take advantage of the kayaks offered by the lodges or explore Tortuguero National Park by canoe. The approach is totally different from that of a motorboat, making the experience all the more impressive.
Visit local souvenir shops, most of which offer items unique to Costa Rica that you wouldn't find again later. What's more, you'll be helping local communities.
Use your national park entrance fee wisely. In fact, once you've paid your entrance fee, it's valid for the whole day, so you can take the canal tours in the morning, walk around the park in the afternoon and take a night tour, all with a single payment.
When hiring a local guide, make sure he or she has official Costa Rican guide certification. In this way, you can be sure of the quality of the service you'll receive, as well as the value of the guide's work and studies.
Eat local! Many small "sodas" offer top-quality meals and typical Caribbean dishes. Don't miss the rice and beans.
Feel free to wander around the village and help keep the local economy going. The discotheque, small shops and taxi-boats all need you.
Remember to take cash with you. Please note that there is no bank in Tortuguero. The only Banco Costa Rica ATM has been permanently closed.
Would you like to visit Tortuguero National Park? Why not visit it with the Family Tour? See
This non-profit organization is the oldest and most recognized sea turtle protection association in the world.
Founded in 1959 by Mr. Joshua B. Powers following the studies of biologist Dr. Archie Carr and his book "The Windward Road". This book first alerted the public to the danger facing sea turtles. Numerous volunteers from all over the world work to conserve sea turtles in Tortuguero, but not only in Tortuguero, as the CCCT is present throughout Central America.
A tourist center dedicated to the organization can be seen in the village of Tortuguero. Here you can see how the turtles are counted, the work of the volunteers and a short video to give visitors a better idea of the phenomenon of turtle egg-laying.
Source: wwf Costa Rica
The birth of turtles
In Tortuguero National Park, from November to January, you may be lucky enough to see turtle eggs hatching all along the beach. After hatching, the baby turtles rise to the surface and make their first dash for the ocean. It's more common to see this superb and moving spectacle in the early morning or late afternoon.
The most popular way to visit Tortuguero National Park is by motorboat. Depending on the service provider, the boats will be more or less noisy (some use totally silent electric motors). Tortuguero is surrounded by rivers, canals and the Atlantic Ocean. Many hotels offer the possibility of visiting the canals by kayak with a naturalist guide, or by canoa. This type of canoe allows you to get up close to the animals without frightening them, and make the most of Tortuguero National Park. But beware: you'll need to row for several hours.
Currently, in 2015, rates have been set at 15 USD/ per adult and 2$USD/ child under 12.
Tortuguero National Park was created on November 17, 1975, and has a protected area of 18,946.9 hectares on land and 52,265 hectares on sea.
Many mammals, such as the Mexican Tamanduathe lazy with two and three fingersand white-tailed deerThe list is long, very long.
Birdlife is also abundant, with species such as green macaws, keeled toucans, Swainson's toucans, numerous species of waterfowl and many more...
Apart from the turtles, the area's animals include the Jaguar, Tapir, pink dolphin, manatee and otter. So many extraordinary animals that make Tortuguero a unique place. Tortuguero National Park boasts the largest concentration of Jaguar in Costa Rica, according to the Costa Rican Wildlife Organization. Pantera.
With its elongated shape, its geographical location (bordered on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other by a brackish-water channel), and the people who live there, the village of Tortuguero is worth a visit in itself.
You'll find a Caribbean atmosphere where everyone gets around on foot or by bike. Among the most unusual places you'll find a school facing the ocean, a soccer pitch overlooking the beach and lined with coconut palms where the locals love to meet up after work, a grocery store where the names of indebted customers who haven't paid their debts are displayed, and all these colorful, lively houses on stilts. Don't hesitate to go dancing or singing (karaoke) at the local disco: La Culebra. A change of scenery guaranteed.
Certainly economical, but long and uncomfortable. Transportes Caribeños operates the San José-Cariari-San José route.
Timetables are as follows:
San José to Cariari:
Daily: 6:30am, 9:00am, 10:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm, 4:30pm, 6:00pm and 7:00pm
Cariari to San José:
Daily: 5:30am, 6:30am, 7:30am 9:00am, 11:30am, 1:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:30pm
Drive to Tortuguero:
San Jose Tortuguero Route
From San José, take Route 32 towards Limon. You'll pass through Braulio Carillo National Park and the Zurqui tunnel. You will then reach the town of Guapiles.
Note: it is no longer possible to travel to Tortuguero from Sarapiqui. You had to cross the border into Nicaragua. Since Nicaragua has introduced strict sanitary measures, it is now forbidden to transit through Nicaragua to get to Tortuguero.
FROM GUAPILES TO CARIARI:
Once in Guapiles, stay on Route 32 until you reach the Santa Clara gas station ("Servicentro Santa Clara"). About 100 m past the Burger King. After the gas station, turn left (north). Set the speedometer to zero and drive for 8.1 km, until you reach a crossroads. Turn left (do not cross the railroad line), drive along the railway line for about 700 m and then turn right onto the main road. (crossing the railway this time). Continue north for 10.4 km to reach Cariari. Please note that you should arrive in Cariari before 3:30 p.m., as no public boats leave for Tortuguero National Park after this time.
FROM CARIARI TO PAVONA:
From the Cariari petrol station, the only one in the village, continue for 7.1km.
Then turn right towards Campo Dos. You'll pass between banana plantations. Follow the signs for Campo Dos and Cuatro Esquinas. Continue along the asphalt road until you reach a soccer field on your left. Turn left onto the asphalt road. Continue until you reach the village of Cuatro Esquinas. From this point on, there will be no asphalt road. Continue straight on for 8.9km. Once you reach the "Abast Palacio" store in the small village of Palacios. Turn left after this store, then go straight on for 5.7km until you reach an old building. Turn left onto the dirt track and cross the bridge. Continue until you reach La Pavona.
You can park your car for 10$USD per night or 50$USD per week.
