Tortuguero

Tortuguero National Park

Extending north of Limon along the Caribbean coast, the 46,000-acre Tortuguero National Park protects sea turtle nesting beaches and canal-threaded forests. Surprisingly, the impossibly dense tangle of trees lining the shore is almost entirely new growth—this area was nearly destroyed by deforestation in the 1960’s.

Guests in Tortuguero stay in canal-side lodges, typically for three nights.

• Toucans
• Herons
• Jacanas
• Macaws
• Spider and Howler Monkeys
• Otters
• Caimans
• Sloths

Our Favorite Hotels

What to do in Tortuguero

Most lodges offer morning and afternoon wildlife viewing tours of the canals, where nature’s regenerative powers are on full display. However, Tortuguero is best known for Sea Turtle Watching: Leatherbacks, Hawksbills, and Greens.

While three species of sea turtles visit the park throughout the year, the greatest numbers arrive in April (Leatherbacks), July (Hawksbills), and September (Greens). Tortuguero is an indispensable nesting site for Green sea turtles, laying their eggs here from June to October. During these months, nightly guided tours of the nesting areas are allowed.

Activities in Tortuguero include:

• Turtle nesting and hatching observation
• Natural history boat excursion
• Kayaking in Tortuguero National Park
• Hiking Cerro Tortuguero
• Journey to Laguna 4
• Twilight tour of Tortuga Lodge Reserve
• Cacao & chocolate experience
• Visit to Tortuguero Village
• Atlantic coast fishing

What is the Weather Like?

Costa Rica is located in the tropics and close to the equator and is considered a rainforest country with warm temperatures being characteristic throughout the year. There are two well-defined seasons:

Dry Season: December – April
Green Season: May – November

In Costa Rica’s tropical rainforest it is best to be prepared for all kinds of weather. In general, expect most mornings to be sunny and clear followed by rain showers in the afternoon. During the day the weather will be hot and humid with temperatures in the mid to upper 80’s. Evenings are usually clear.

These averages are changing, please check extended weather forecasts using your favorite weather app prior to departure.

Getting There

Visitors to Tortuguero arrive by one-hour regional flights from San José or via boat trips that double as wildlife tours. Boat trips depart from Caño Blanco no later than 3:00 PM. Transportation time from San Jose to Caño Blanco is approximately four hours.

Local flights are available from San José, Fortuna, and Limón. LANDED can cut travel time with other destinations in Costa Rica with private charter flights.

For domestic flights within Costa Rica, you will most likely be traveling on a small aircraft which imposes weight restrictions on luggage, typically 25 pounds per person.

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