Tortuguero National Park Tours & Trips
Discover amazing wildlife and landscapes in Tortuguero National Park. Most travelers enjoy exploring our Tortuguero National Park adventures in April, making it the most popular time of the year.
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Deanna • traveled in July
Juan Carlos was amazing. Such a great trip!
Costa Rica's Natural Wonders - K
Kathryn • traveled in April
This tour was well organised and the activities were excellent for wildlife enthusiasts. Alex, our tour guide, was friendly, informative and took the time to check on us all individually. It is important to check which activities are included in your tour as there are some extra activities available(pay at the hotel). I would thoroughly recommend this tour to anyone visiting Costa Rica
Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break - D
Diewerkedezwarte • traveled in August
The lodge was idealic but the rooms relatively basic. Gorgeous location on the beach. The guided tours were incredible. Juan miguel was very knowledgeable about the animals and plants we saw and kept the whole group engaged throughout the tours, even the little hyper kids full of questions.
Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
The best Tortuguero National Park tour packages
Compiled by
MelissaTortuguero National Park travel expert at TourRadar
- Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break
- Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
- Cycle Costa Rica
- Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
- Tortuguero National Park Adventure 3D/2N
- Tortuguero: A natural paradise in Costa Rica
- Tortuguero National Park Adventure 4D/3N
- Geluxe: Costa Rica: Tortuguero, La Fortuna & Rio Celeste
- Costa Rica Family Escape
- Classic Costa Rica
Tortuguero Jungle Expedition, Short Break
11 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“All worked with interesting excursions and experiences. The hotel and its facilities were good too.”
Jacqueline, traveled in November
Naturalists lead you through Tortuguero's hidden canals, where 57 amphibian and 111 reptile species thrive. Laguna Lodge offers comfortable accommodation with guided wildlife walks and village visits, complemented by authentic local meals.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Destination Services Costa Rica From $1,018
10% Off- NZ$917You save $102
Costa Rica's Natural Wonders
84 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Everything went according to plan. This quickly helped build group comraderie and cohesion which added to the positive experience.”
JOANNE, traveled in April
The waterways of Tortuguero National Park host seven turtle species and countless birds. Pachira Lodge serves as your base for guided wildlife excursions, offering both daytime and optional nighttime wildlife viewing.
Duration 11 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, La Fortuna, La Guaria (La Fortuna), Arenal Volcano National Park, Monteverde, Jaco Age Range All Ages Welcome Operator Wingbuddy From
10% Off- NZ$3,364
Cycle Costa Rica
7 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Fab cycling, brilliant wildlife, a great selection of hotels - all very different.”
Alice, traveled in February
Rich biodiversity unfolds via guided boat tours and jungle hikes in Tortuguero. Manatees, crocodiles, sloths, and three monkey species inhabit the park's intricate canal system and verdant rainforest trails.
Duration 14 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Guapiles, La Fortuna, Arenal Volcano National Park, Guanacaste National Park, Canas, Volcan Miravalles, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 16+ Operator Explore! From
10% Off- NZ$8,140
Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
17 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“Brilliant tour! The guide was super helpful, knowledgable and friendly and made the tour a great experience.”
Fiona, traveled in November
Pachira Lodge provides the perfect base to observe Tortuguero's rich ecosystem. Guided canal tours bring you close to caiman, sloths, and monkeys. The package includes 8 meals, expert naturalist guides, and optional seasonal turtle watching excursions ($50).
Duration 4 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 12+ Operator G Adventures From
10% Off- NZ$1,249
Tortuguero National Park Adventure 3D/2N
8 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“I was constantly amazed at how diverse and numbers of animals that live in such a small area.”
SIMON, traveled in November
Pristine wilderness spans 29,000 hectares in Tortuguero National Park, where green sea turtles and endangered manatees roam. Guided boat tours weave through hidden canals, while authentic eco-lodges provide traditional Costa Rican cuisine.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
10% Off- NZ$1,127
Tortuguero: A natural paradise in Costa Rica
6 Reviews by TourRadar travelers“The tours were fun and the transportation was really convenient.”
Gary, traveled in November
Wildlife-rich canals of Tortuguero await on guided boat safaris and naturalist-led jungle trails. A 3-star lodge nestled in the rainforest provides full-board meals. Both water and land adventures unfold, from canal tours to guided walks through Tortuguero Village.
Duration 3 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range All Ages Welcome Operated in English, Spanish Operator Green World Adventures From
10% Off- NZ$1,433
Rare wildlife like manatees, sloths, and 400+ bird species inhabit Tortuguero's 29,000-hectare rainforest. An eco-lodge provides full board meals while expert naturalist guides lead boat tours and hikes. Optional $25 seasonal turtle nesting tours (July-October) and village visits enhance daily canal activities.
Duration 4 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park Age Range Ages 10+ Operator Bamba Travel From
10% Off- NZ$1,519
Two days of guided kayaking through Tortuguero National Park's jungle canals reveal incredible biodiversity. Comfortable jungle lodges host you while spotting tropical wildlife and seasonal turtle nesting (July-October). Expert guides and all meals included.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Tortuguero, La Fortuna, Arenal Age Range Ages 18+ Operator G Adventures From
10% Off- NZ$5,339
An 8-day family adventure unfolds from San José through Tortuguero National Park. La Fortuna Waterfall's 215ft cascade offers emerald pools for swimming. Balsa River provides grade II-III rapids, followed by lunch at Vida Campesina estate. Studio Hotel and Arenal Paraiso welcome families with children 9+.
Duration 8 days Destinations San Jose, Arenal Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, La Guaria (La Fortuna), Arenal, Tilaran, Monteverde, Samara, Playa Carrillo Age Range Ages 9+ Operator Exodus Adventure Travels From $6,019
5% Off- NZ$5,718You save $301
Duration 15 days Destinations San Jose, Tortuguero National Park, Santa Rosa de Pocosol, Tenorio Volcano National Park, La Fortuna, Arenal, Monteverde, Manuel Antonio National Park Age Range Ages 15+ Operator Intrepid Travel From
5% Off- NZ$3,380
What our customers ask about Tortuguero National Park Tours & Trips
When is the best time to visit Tortuguero National Park for wildlife viewing?
The dry season from February to April offers the clearest conditions for wildlife viewing in Tortuguero National Park. The park's rich biodiversity includes 57 species of amphibians 111 species of reptiles and 60 species of mammals. Sea turtle nesting adds another layer of natural wonder with green sea turtles arriving from July to October while Hawksbill and Leatherback turtles nest from March to June. "We saw so much wildlife on our boat and walking tours. The experience was great from start to finish" reports one TourRadar traveler. Tours typically run morning boat excursions when animals are most active and lodges like Pachira Lodge or Evergreen Lodge place visitors right in the center of wildlife activity.
What makes Tortuguero National Park different from other Costa Rican national parks?
Tortuguero National Park combines rainforest canals Caribbean coastline and sea turtle nesting grounds in ways no other Costa Rican park does. Its network of waterways has earned it the name "Amazon of Costa Rica" with most exploration happening by boat rather than foot. "Tortuguero was a highlight of our Costa Rica trip - the combination of jungle and water-based wildlife viewing was unique" shares one TourRadar traveler. The park's remote location accessible only by boat or small plane sets it apart from more visited parks like Manuel Antonio or Arenal. Stays at secluded spots like Evergreen Lodge or Mawamba Lodge add to this unique experience.
How do I get to Tortuguero National Park?
Getting to Tortuguero requires either boat or small aircraft travel. Most visitors take organized tours that combine ground and water transport. The typical journey starts with an early morning bus from San José through banana plantations to either La Pavona or Caño Blanco dock. From there a scenic 1-1.5 hour boat ride takes you through the canals to your lodge. "The transfers were smooth and professional with everything well coordinated" notes one TourRadar traveler. Tours usually arrange pickup from San José hotels around 6:00 AM reaching destinations like Evergreen Lodge in time for lunch.
What cultural experiences are available in Tortuguero National Park?
The small Caribbean village of Tortuguero home to about 500 residents offers authentic local experiences. Visitors can walk the car-free streets explore the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum and connect with local traditions. "The local guides were very knowledgeable about both wildlife and local culture making the experience truly immersive" reports a TourRadar traveler. Most lodge packages including those from Laguna Lodge feature guided village visits where guests can experience Afro-Caribbean culture browse local craft shops and learn about community conservation work.
How long should I plan to stay in Tortuguero National Park?
A 2-3 night stay allows visitors to experience the park's key attractions. "We had 2 great days in Tortuguero. The boat tour included is very interesting along with the nature walk and village visit" shares one TourRadar traveler. Standard tours such as those based at Evergreen Lodge plan two full days of activities including morning and afternoon boat rides guided walks village visits and optional night tours. This timeframe lets visitors see wildlife experience local culture and enjoy lodge amenities at a comfortable pace.