Tortuguero, Costa Rica: travel guide
Car-free canal village and green turtle nesting coast
Car-free Caribbean sandbar village between the Tortuguero canals and the sea, one of the western hemisphere's most important green-turtle nesting sites — reachable only by boat or small plane.
About Tortuguero
Tortuguero is a small village on Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast, wedged between a network of jungle canals and the sea. There are no roads in, so visitors arrive by boat or small plane, and there are no cars in the village itself.
The canals of Tortuguero National Park are the main attraction, explored by boat or kayak at dawn when birds, monkeys, caimans and sloths are active. The beach is an important nesting site for green turtles, and the Sea Turtle Conservancy visitor centre explains the conservation work. Cerro Tortuguero, a small hill, gives a lookout over the coast and forest.
Tortuguero suits wildlife lovers and nature-minded families. The nesting season for turtles is a particular draw, and the area is wet for much of the year, so waterproofs are sensible.
- Country
- Costa Rica
- Currency
- CRC
- Time zone
- America/Costa_Rica
- Nearest airport
- TTQ
Last updated
Top places to visit in Tortuguero
Tortuguero National Park
Nature · about 3 h · check the fee at the gate
A maze of jungle canals and lagoons — "Central America's Amazon" — and the region's key green-turtle nesting site.
Tortuguero Beach
Beach · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
A ~35 km black-sand nesting beach where green turtles come ashore Jul-Oct; swimming is dangerous.
Tortuguero Village & Main Street
Cultural · about 1 h · check the fee at the gate
A car-free sandbar village of Afro-Caribbean sodas, craft kiosks and tour operators on a sandy path.
Cerro Tortuguero
Viewpoint · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
A 119 m volcanic cone — the highest point on the Caribbean coast — with a lookout over canals and sea.
Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor Center
Museum · about 0.8 h · check the fee at the gate
Museum of the world's oldest sea-turtle research station, with green-turtle tagging exhibits.
Tortuguero Canals
Wildlife · about 2 h · check the fee at the gate
Palm-lined freshwater canals and lagoons explored by boat, canoe or kayak amid abundant wildlife.
Iglesia de Tortuguero
Heritage · about 0.2 h · check the fee at the gate
The modest village church on the main street, a small community landmark.
Things to do
- Turtle Nesting Night Tour Wildlife · 2 h · from USD 30 per person
- Tortuguero Canal Boat Wildlife Tour Wildlife · 3 h · from USD 30 per person
- Tortuguero Kayak Canal Tour Kayak · 2.5 h · from USD 30 per person
- Cerro Tortuguero Hike Nature · 2.5 h · from USD 25 per person
- Village & Sea Turtle Conservancy Walk Cultural · 1.5 h · from USD 15 per person
Day trips and tours
- Tortuguero Canals & Village 5 h · from USD 60
Where to stay in Tortuguero
- Tortuguero Village about CRC 60 per night
Car-free sandbar village with sodas, kiosks, the park entrance and turtle museum, all on foot.
- Canal & Mainland Lodges about CRC 180 per night
Boat-only eco-lodges along the main canal, most sold as all-inclusive packages.
Hotels
- Casa Marbella 2-star · USD 40 to USD 70 per night
- Tortuga Lodge & Gardens 4-star · USD 180 to USD 320 per night
- Manatus Hotel 4-star · USD 200 to USD 350 per night
- Mawamba Lodge 3-star · USD 120 to USD 200 per night
- Pachira Lodge 3-star · USD 110 to USD 190 per night
- La Baula Lodge 3-star · USD 90 to USD 160 per night
Where to eat
- Miss Junie's Caribbean · about USD 15 per person
- Wild Ginger International, Fusion · about USD 18 per person
- Budda Café Italian, Cafe · about USD 14 per person
- Taylor's Place Caribbean, BBQ · about USD 10 per person
- Soda Doña María Costa Rican · about USD 8 per person
Getting to Tortuguero
Airport: Tortuguero (TTQ)
Getting around
- Boat
- Walking
More in Costa Rica
Frequently asked questions about Tortuguero
- What are the main places to visit in Tortuguero?
- Places covered in our Tortuguero guide include Tortuguero National Park, Tortuguero Beach, Tortuguero Village & Main Street, Cerro Tortuguero, Sea Turtle Conservancy Visitor Center.
- Where should I stay in Tortuguero?
- Our guide covers these areas to stay in Tortuguero: Tortuguero Village, Canal & Mainland Lodges.
- How do I get around Tortuguero?
- Ways to get around Tortuguero covered in our guide: Boat, Walking.
- Which airport is nearest to Tortuguero?
- The nearest airport to Tortuguero has the code TTQ.