Canoeing & Kayaking		Beachcombing		Wildlife Watching
Remote Eco-Lodges		Birdwatching		Turtle Nesting

Tortuguero means turtle hunter but now the region is a national park committed to conservation & ecology.

Because of the name, many people are surprised to discover that Tortuguero is not the best place in Costa Rica to observe nesting sea turtles and even more surprised when they find out turtles aren’t even the premier attraction in the region.

Sure it’s a good place to see turtles and one of the reasons it’s a must see destination, but the best reason to visit Tortuguero are the senderos acuáticos.  A system of water trails on the rivers, canals and “canyons” of the National park.

One of the most unique and remote regions of Costa Rica, Tortuguero has these and other attractions you won’t find together anywhere else.

Tortuguero National Park Wildlife Watching

Canals and Rivers

All of the lodges in the area offer tours in small motor launches to cruise the waterways of the national park and it’s possible see more wildlife in five minutes here than a whole day in some of the other parks.

A really exceptional experience awaits those willing to propel themselves in canoes or sit on top kayaks.  The smaller channels leading away from the park entrance on Tortuguero lagoon are called caños (canyons) because of the way they narrow and the trees close in overhead.  These tunnels of greenery into the heart of the park are too narrow for the motor boats but perfect to explore on your own.

Of the hundreds of species you might encounter, our favorite are the river otters.  Watch carefully for lines of tiny bubbles on the calm water and if you’re patient you may see one break the surface with his whiskered face to take a curious peek at you.  They’re protected, relatively unafraid of humans and once they decide you’re not a threat you can probably watch them fish and play as long as you can keep up.

Turtle Nesting

Both Leatherback (February through July) and Atlantic Green (June through November) sea turtles nest at Tortuguero beach and you can join a park guide (no one is allowed on the beach unaccompanied at night) for an educational talk and walk to see this natural wonder.

Food & Restaurants

Many visitors eat all their meals at their lodge where the food is typically quite good and included but it’s worth exploring the local Afro-Carib cuisine around the village if you get a chance.  There’s certainly nothing fancy, but the spicy chicken or coconut fish curry are delicious even in the simplest surroundings.  Even the gallo pinot gets a Caribbean makeover with red beans, more spice and a little sweet coconut milk transforming the national dish.

What is Not in Tortuguero

It takes significant effort to get to Tortuguero (see boat routes to Tortuguero) and to avoid disappointment it’s worthwhile looking over what you shouldn’t expect to find here.

Perhaps the most important thing to know about what’s not here is that there are no roads into Tortuguero village and no cars once you arrive.  For more on what not to expect in Tortuguero click here