Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero, Costa Rica

Tortuguero's Iconic Park

Explore the Beautiful Landscapes of Tortuguero National Park

Established in 1975, Tortuguero National Park is one of Costa Rica’s most important protected areas and a key destination for nature lovers. It is located on the country’s northeastern Caribbean coast, near the village of Tortuguero.

Often referred to as the “Amazon of Costa Rica,” the park is known for its extensive network of rivers, canals, and lagoons rather than traditional hiking trails. Covering over 76,000 hectares of protected land and marine areas, it safeguards tropical rainforest, wetlands, beaches, and freshwater ecosystems.

The park is especially famous for its incredible biodiversity. Visitors can encounter monkeys, sloths, caimans, river turtles, and hundreds of bird species. It is also one of the most important nesting sites in the world for sea turtles, particularly the green sea turtle, along with leatherback and hawksbill turtles during nesting season.

Instead of walking trails leading to beaches, most exploration in Tortuguero is done by boat or kayak, allowing visitors to glide through the canals and experience the rainforest from the water—an immersive and unique way to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Tortuguero National Park Canal

Hours and Entrance Fees

Tortuguero National Park is open daily throughout the year, with visiting hours divided into two time slots: from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM and from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM, according to the official SINAC information.

Entrance tickets must be purchased in advance through the official SINAC online reservation system. At the time of writing, the entrance fee is approximately $16.95 for non-resident adults and $5.65 for non-resident children (ages 2–12), while Costa Rican residents pay a reduced fee.

Unlike other national parks in Costa Rica, Tortuguero does not have an extensive network of traditional walking trails. Access to the park is mainly by boat, as it is made up of a vast system of rivers, canals, and wetlands. Visitors explore the park by navigating these waterways, which pass through dense tropical rainforest and offer excellent opportunities to observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Although independent visits are possible, many travelers choose to explore the park with certified local guides or as part of lodge-organized tours. Guides are especially helpful for spotting wildlife such as monkeys, sloths, caimans, birds, and reptiles, which can be difficult to see without trained eyes.

It is also important to note that access to certain areas and activities is regulated to protect the park’s ecosystems. For example, beach access is restricted at night during sea turtle nesting season (March to October), and all visitors are required to follow park regulations and instructions from rangers.

Tortuguero National Park Tour

Why Choose the Tortuguero National Park?

Amazing Biodiversity

Tortuguero National Park is known for its exceptional biodiversity and is one of the most important protected areas in Costa Rica. The park safeguards a mix of tropical rainforest, wetlands, rivers, canals, and coastal ecosystems, which support a remarkable variety of plant and animal life.

Once inside the park, there is no extensive network of traditional walking trails. Instead, visitors explore a system of natural waterways that connect different sectors of the park. Navigation is typically done by boat or kayak, offering a unique way to move through the forest and observe wildlife in its natural habitat.

Commitment to Conservation

Established in 1975, Tortuguero National Park was created to protect the region’s tropical rainforest, wetlands, canals, and important coastal ecosystems. Over time, it has become one of Costa Rica’s most important conservation areas and a key part of the country’s protected area system, especially for the protection of sea turtle nesting habitats.

Expert Guides

Local, knowledgeable, and friendly guides are passionate about the ecosystems of Tortuguero National Park and its incredible wildlife. They enhance your experience with fascinating insights while navigating the park’s canals, ensuring that every moment in Tortuguero is both educational and memorable.

Reviews

What Nature Lovers Say

Natural Beauty

Exploring Tortuguero National Park with a guide was absolutely the best decision we made. The canals can feel overwhelming at first, but our guide knew exactly where to go and had an incredible eye for spotting wildlife. We saw monkeys, sloths, caimans, and several bird species that we would have completely missed on our own. What really stood out was how much we learned, not just about the animals, but also about the ecosystem and conservation efforts in the park. The boat ride through the jungle was peaceful, immersive, and unlike anything we’ve experienced before.
Mark M.★★★★★

Immersion In Nature

Our guided tour in Tortuguero National Park exceeded all expectations. Navigating the canals by boat at sunrise was a highlight of our trip, and having a knowledgeable guide made a huge difference. He was constantly pointing out hidden wildlife, tiny frogs, birds tucked into the trees, and even a resting sloth high above us. The pace of the tour was perfect, allowing us to really take in the surroundings without feeling rushed. It felt like a true nature experience, and we left with a much deeper appreciation for Tortuguero’s biodiversity.
John K.★★★★★

Great Hike

If you’re visiting Tortuguero National Park, I highly recommend booking a guided tour. The park is so unique with its waterways, and having a guide helps you get so much more out of the experience. Ours was friendly, professional, and incredibly passionate about the wildlife. He used a spotting scope so we could clearly see animals like monkeys and birds up close, which made a huge difference. The entire experience felt well-organized and educational, and it’s something we would absolutely do again.
Albert B.★★★★★

Book Your Tortuguero Guided Tour Experience Today!

If you are planning to visit Tortuguero National Park, joining a guided tour is one of the best ways to experience the area. 

Our guided tours in Tortuguero take place along the park’s waterways, focusing on observing animals, plants, and details that are easy to miss without experience. Guides also carry binoculars or spotting scopes so you can get a closer look at wildlife in the surrounding forest.

You can book your guided tour in advance to secure your spot and learn more about what to expect during your visit to Tortuguero National Park.

Tortuguero National park Trails 2
FROM

$65

FROM

$25

2 HOURS

Tortuguero National Park Natural History Tour

  • 4+ Years old
  • Natural History Tour
  • 11:00 AM 

Explore Tortuguero National Park on a natural history walk through one of the country’s most important protected areas.

BOOK NOW
LEARN MORE
Tortuguero National park Trails 2
FROM

$25

2 HOURS

Tortuguero National Park Natural History Tour

  • 4+ Years old
  • Natural History Tour
  • 11:00 AM 

Explore Tortuguero National Park on a natural history walk through one of the country’s most important protected areas.

BOOK NOW
LEARN MORE

Frequently Asked Questions

Tortuguero National Park is not accessible by car. Visitors typically travel by boat from La Pavona or Caño Blanco, or by small domestic flight from San José. Most travelers book transportation through lodges or tour operators, which usually includes both land and boat transfers.

Tortuguero can be visited year-round, but the best time depends on your interests. The dry season (February to April, and September to October) usually offers less rain, while July to October is peak sea turtle nesting season, especially for green sea turtles.

The park is known for its rich biodiversity. Visitors commonly see monkeys, sloths, caimans, river turtles, and a wide variety of birds such as toucans and herons. During nesting season, sea turtles can also be observed on guided night tours.

A guide is not mandatory, but it is highly recommended. Because the park is explored mainly by boat through canals, a certified guide helps spot wildlife and provides valuable information about the ecosystem, greatly enhancing the experience.

Most visitors stay 2 to 3 days. This allows enough time to explore the canals, take guided tours, and experience the unique rainforest environment without feeling rushed.