Travel to Tortuguero

Explore

Tortuguero, Costa Rica

On the Caribbean coast, north-west of Costa Rica, Tortuguero national park stretches over 47,000 acres and people usually stay for 3 days as the wildlife and nature are truly exceptional. The region's greenery is so lush, furrowed by many canals, rivers and marshes, and this lushness is easily explained by some of the world's most abundant rainfall levels (200 in/year). Often called Costa Rica's Amazon jungle, this group of lakes allows no less than 2,000 plant species and 400 trees to be preserved. Early morning walks by the water turn out to be full of discoveries, with 57 amphibian species, 111 reptiles, 600 mammals and even more than 300 bird species hiding in the jungle and mangrove. Particularly walk along the secondary canals in order to get a better chance of seeing them all!
Open since 1975, Tortuguero National Park was originally created to protect green turtles, killed for their meat. Nowadays, they live peacefully and lay their eggs from July to October on the beaches, where the waves of the Atlantic ocean break. From February to June, leatherback turtles, the world's largest, lay their eggs (up to 120 eggs at once) in the moonlight. A small museum is dedicated to them in the village of Tortuguero.
From San José, the small aircraft will land after a mere half-hour flight on a track between the Atlantic Ocean and the main canal of Tortuguero. This is ideal for a first glimpse of the density and size of the tropical forest! Alternatively, there is a 3 hour drive, then a boat ride. The inevitable tour of the canals lasts approximately one and a half hours before getting to Tortuguero.

  More

pros

•  The extraordinary variety of plants and animals
•  The rare opportunity to live in the heart of the jungle
•  The possibility to see turtles laying their eggs

cons

•  The rain
•  The high concentration of boats on the lake in the high tourist season

  More

map Costa Rica

Weather Tortuguero - choosing the best time to go

Visit Tortuguero

• To see

  Keep your eyes peeled: trees, plants, animals, insects and birds that you've never seen before can be discovered in Tortuguero National Park and outside it. Same thing on your night walk, if you want to see the turtles laying their eggs!

    More

  To do

  Boat tours with a guide from Tortuguero National Park (favour secondary canals); excursions through the jungle; a walk to the top of Cerro Tortuguero (500 ft) to see the forest and the ocean from the region's highest point; a visit, once you have seen the park, to Tortuguero's fishermen's village and the Caribbean Conservation Corporation's small museum, engaged in the protection of turtles.

    More

  To think about

  Do not hesitate, if you can, to leave your luggage in a safe place, in San José for example! Only take a strict minimum of things with you so you can be lighter in the heart of the jungle and not be bothered by valuables!
  A dark night sky is necessary to see turtles laying their eggs on the beaches (outings are organised in the park's rangers).

    More

• To avoid

  Swimming in the Atlantic ocean isn't possible, even for surfers, because of the big waves, dangerous currents and presence of sharks.

    More

  To try

  The fruits offered by the surrounding nature.

    More

  To bring back

  Not much! You will find a few souvenirs in small shops and from sellers in the village of Tortuguero or at your lodge (wooden objects, low quality jewellery, etc.).

    More

Country guide

Costa Rica, All you need to know!

• Practical information 
• History 
• Culture and traditions 
• Useful Addresses 
• Events 
• Climate 
• Food 
• Souvenirs 

Tortuguero in pictures

All flights at the best rate with Easyvoyage

• Flights
• Hotels
• Cars
• Holidays

One wayRound trip

From

To

Outward journey date

Return journey date

Adults

Children

Babies

EconomyBusinessFirst

Advertisement

Share your opinion

Holiday Inn SAN JOSE-AUROLA

 

Score 9/10

susan humphries 17/07/2011 : "This hotel is right in the centre of the city so within very easy walking distance of attractions such as the Gold museum."

  More...

Holiday Inn Express HIEX SAN JOSE AIRPORT

 

Score 7/10

susan humphries 25/06/2011 : "This hotel is VERY close to the airport so great if you have an early flight.Although we were not bothered by aircraft noise at all."

  More...

Laguna Lodge

 

Score 9/10

susan humphries 28/04/2011 : "A great eco lodge on the Carribbean coast of Costa Rica. It is VERY wet there so expect to get damp at some stage over you stay. "

  More...

Hotel reviews Costa Rica

Have you been to this destination before? Where did you stay? We want to hear about it, so post your review on the EasyOpinions forum for us! Be the first to give your opinion