7 Natural Wonders of Costa Rica: Tortuguero Canals

Tortuguero: A Nature Lovers’ Refuge in Costa Rica

Located in the Limon province on the Caribbean coast is Tortuguero National Park, whose mission is to save and protect the sea turtles in Costa Rica who nest in these pristine grounds. In this world, the turtles are safe, protected, and you can feel like Indiana Jones for a day as you glide on your skiff through the canals amongst the jungle mangroves.

The Tortuguero Canals

Tortuguero National Park’s 77,000 acres of protected land are largely comprised of huge networks of canals, lakes, and inlets. A person could spend whole days floating throughout Tortuguero National Park among the breathtaking flora and fauna that occupy this unique topography, a mixture of land and sea.

Wildlife In Tortuguero

Though the core mission at Tortuguero National Park is turtle conservation, many other members of the animal kingdom benefit from living on this sacred land. As you laze about on the calm waters of the Tortuguero canals you can spot manatees, crocodiles, and a variety of crustaceans, freshwater fish, eels, and many other species of marine life.

On land, you could even spot a jaguar! And of course, high in the trees, there are a variety of species of monkeys, sloths, toucans, and parrots. Aquatic birds such as kingfishers and herons are everywhere you look, plus all manner of lizards, frogs, and salamanders roam free among the Tortuguero canals.

Tortuguero attracts wildlife enthusiasts from all over, for a variety of reasons. Turtle conservation is huge in this area, and so is an appreciation for its dense jungle maze of winding canals, evocative of the flora and fauna of the wild Amazon. This area is home to thousands of species, giving travelers a once-in-a-lifetime experience with the vastness of nature.

How to get to Tortuguero Costa Rica

Finding your way around a foreign country can be challenging, and adding more stress to the equation is ABSOLUTELY UNNECESSARY! Getting to Tortuguero National Park from San Jose, for instance, normally calls for two bus rides and a boat trip, because Tortuguero is separated from the mainland and can only be reached by boat, or plane.

Imagine trying to match the schedules of three means of transportation atop arranging your overnight stay…it’s a recipe for frustration! But there are a few options that we recommend that can help you get to Tortuguero National Park stress-free.

Best Value: Overnight All-Inclusive Expedition

You can’t drive to Tortuguero, so one thing many vacationers do is make it either their first or last Costa Rica vacation destination. Then they can experience this incredible place, and use the transportation provided on our 2 or 3-day Overnight Expedition to or from the San Jose, Arenal, or Puerto Viejo regions.

Fastest Route: Fly There

If you’re short on time but have a little extra cash, taking a domestic flight to Tortuguero may be an option for you. Domestic carriers Sansa and Aerobell both offer daily flights from the capital of San Jose. Once you land, it’s just a quick boat ride to Tortuguero.

Tortuguero Shuttles

One easy and convenient way to travel to the Tortuguero National Park is via a shared shuttle. Get a delicious breakfast, a comfortable air-conditioned van, and a boat ride through Tortuguero canals… not only is it super convenient, but it’s economical too! What’s more, with shuttles departing or returning from San Jose, Puerto Viejo, and La Fortuna daily, there is a Tortuguero shuttle to fit every itinerary.

Catch the Boat to Tortuguero

There are two locations from which you can take a boat to Tortuguero: La Pavona and Moin. Which one you use depends on where you’re coming from. For La Fortuna and San Jose, La Pavona is the closest. Moin is for those coming from Limon, Puerto Viejo, or Cahuita.

You can take the bus or a taxi, or drive your rental car to the Moin docks where they offer secure parking. Boats typically depart at 10:00 a.m. and the ride through the canals takes 3.5-4 hours depending on tides. The cost is $35 and up, depending on who you work with. This may be a budget buster for solo travelers because you’re often renting the whole boat, whereas groups can split the cost.

Boats depart La Pavona daily at around 7:00am, 10:30am, 12:30pm, and 4:30pm. The cost is just $6 per person, and the surcharge for luggage is $2. The ride takes about an hour and a half.

Things To Do In Tortuguero

Once you get your reservations and Tortuguero itinerary sorted, what can you expect? AN AMAZING JOURNEY! Tortuguero has so much to offer that if at all possible, you definitely want to spend at least a night or two out there.

Getting From San Jose to Tortuguero

With everything included from round trip transportation, to lodging, food, and more, our Tortuguero 2 or 3-Day Expedition is the way to go. Simply book your spot, then sit back and enjoy the ride as you discover why Tortuguero and its famous canals are one of Costa Rica’s 7 natural wonders.

Getting From Tortuguero to Arenal

One great thing about the Tortuguero Expedition is that round-trip transportation is included, but so is continuing transportation. This means you could come from a different location, say San Jose, enjoy your Expedition, then continue on to Arenal, and all the wonders it holds… instead of returning to San Jose. It’s a pretty sweet deal.

Tortuguero Canals In Costa Rica: 2-Day Expedition

When you book your expedition, the first day is mainly a travel day. Tortuguero National Park’s remote location requires you to travel by road and boat to get there, but once that is all behind you, Tortuguero is very chill! The town is a wonderful place to enjoy a delicious Tico dinner and, at the right time of year, the mind-blowing opportunity to explore the beaches at night and observe the turtles nesting.

Boating and Hiking In Tortuguero

Throughout the following day or two, you’ll have plenty of time to explore the Tortuguero canals by boat, hike into its lush jungle (the place is so impressive that it has earned the nickname of “Central America’s Amazon”!), or even paddle your own kayak to enjoy a more up close and personal connection with Costa Rica’s stunning array of wildlife.

Tortuguero’s vast network of canals is a feast for the senses in so many ways, so it’s easy to see why the people of Costa Rica value it as they do. Not only is its topography unique and beautiful, but extremely important conservation work is also taking place here. There’s that beauty and brains we’ve come to know and love of Costa Rica! Knowing the value of what you have, and protecting it for the future. That’s the Tico way, and as with all the other Natural Wonders Costa Rica is blessed with, taking charge of the health and perseverance of this gorgeous stretch of ecologically important land seems to be a challenge they are pleased to accept.

Entrance Fees For Tortuguero National Park

The Cost Rican government manages Tortuguero National Park. The entrance fee is $15 per person, and the park is open daily from 8:00 am – 6:00 pm. There is a ranger station with public bathrooms in the town. But this is crucial: the ranger station is not where you purchase tickets. Tickets must be purchased online prior to your arrival. Check out this step-by-step video that provides important guidance on the ticket purchasing process.

Go here to buy a pass for Tortuguero National Park. This is a platform where you can purchase tickets to all national parks in Costa Rica, so make sure you are choosing Tortuguero! And if you plan to check out some of Costa Rica’s other national parks, you’re already in the right place.

Tortuguero: A true wonder of Costa Rica’s diverse landscape

Costa Rica ecotourism is world-class conservation on a grand scale, so if you love nature and wildlife, one day in Tortuguero is just not enough! There is so much more to it than just the canals, and that’s one reason we make it possible to visit from 3 different regions in Costa Rica; San Jose, Arenal, & Puerto Viejo.

The incredibly scenic (almost otherworldly) Tortuguero National Park is a perfect location for green and leatherback turtles to care for their young, and for those baby turtles to make their first trek into the ocean.

With no roads to Tortuguero, you leave civilization behind with every bit closer you get. The remote location, and conservation efforts, keep this section of the Costa Rica rainforest virtually untouched. This is nature’s home, first and foremost… we are merely guests. Amidst the rainforests, mangrove forests, swamps, beaches, and lagoons, the sloths, howler monkeys, toucans, crocodiles, water birds, frogs, butterflies, and even turtles become our neighbors.

Visiting Tortuguero National Park is a once-in-a-lifetime, unforgettable experience – something you cannot miss during your stay in Costa Rica! Learn more about the overnight tour here.

Do you have more questions about Tortuguero National Park? Be sure to check out our FAQ for up-to-the-minute information on all things Tortguguero!