The community is built on the strip of land between the Caribbean Sea and Tortuguero Lagoon.  It’s only a couple of blocks wide at most and the main street stretches between guest houses, tourist shops, mini-supermarkets and restaurants.  Along the lagoon side are docks where all the visitors and provisions arrive by small boat because there are no roads that reach here.

Many tourists stay at boat in lodges along the canal or Tortuguero Lagoon, visit the National park and turtle nesting beaches without ever seeing the village but it’s worth walking around and stopping for an authentic Caribbean meal like Rondón a traditional slow simmered stew of fish and coconut milk with whatever else is to be had – onion, sweet potato, plantains and peppers.

When you’re done exploring the village the main attractions await.

turtle nesting | Tortuguero nat. park | canals & wildlife | village | lanchas | photos