Tortuguero, Costa Rica: Complete Visitor’s Guide for Backpackers
Tortuguero honestly ended up being one of our favourite places in Costa Rica.
Located on the Caribbean coast and only accessible by boat or small plane, Tortuguero feels completely different from the rest of the country. The canals, rainforest, wildlife, and slower pace made it one of the most memorable stops from our backpacking trip around Costa Rica.
We travelled from San Jose by bus and boat, stayed in a small guest house, did a canoe tour and night walk, and absolutely loved the whole experience, even though we didn’t visit during turtle season.
This guide covers: What we honestly thought about visiting, The best things to do in Tortuguero, how to get there, where to stay, wildlife and tours and budgeting tips.
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, is the best products possible whilst travelling.
Tortuguero Costa Rica Map
Quick Facts About Tortuguero, Costa Rica
| Best For | Wildlife & nature |
| Famous For | Turtle nesting & canals |
| How to Get There | Boat or small plane |
| Recommended Stay | 2–3 nights |
| Best Time to Visit | July–October for turtles |
| Closest Major City | San Jose |
| ATM Availability | Limited & unreliable |
| Main Transport | Boats |
Why Visit Tortuguero, Costa Rica?
Tortuguero feels completely different from the rest of Costa Rica. Located on the Caribbean coast, this small village is surrounded by canals, rainforest, and wildlife-rich waterways that are part of Tortuguero National Park.
Honestly, getting there already feels like part of the adventure.
The boat journey through the canals made it feel like we were entering another world completely. Unlike many other places in Costa Rica, Tortuguero is much slower-paced.
There’s no heavy traffic, no huge beach resorts, no big roads and no chain restaurants or stores.
Where Is Tortuguero?
Tortuguero is located on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast in Limón Province.
The village sits between the Caribbean Sea and the Tortuguero National Park canals.
Because there are no roads directly into Tortuguero Village, most people arrive by boat or occasionally by small plane.
This isolation is part of what makes the area feel so special.
How to Get to Tortuguero
The most common route is: San Jose → La Pavona → Tortuguero boat
This is exactly how we travelled ourselves. We took a public bus from San Jose before transferring onto a public boat at Pavona. Honestly, the boat ride ended up being one of the highlights of the entire trip.
You can read our full guide on how to get to Tortuguero for tips and advice on buses, boats, flights and shuttle options.
Best Things to Do in Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Even though Tortuguero is small, there’s actually quite a lot to do.
Most activities focus on wildlife, nature, canals and rainforest tours, which is exactly why people visit.
1. Take a Canoe Tour Through the Canals
This was probably our favourite activity in Tortuguero. We chose a canoe tour rather than a larger motorboat because it felt quieter and more immersive.
Honestly, drifting silently through the canals surrounded by rainforest was such a cool experience.
During the tour we saw: monkeys, birds, iguanas, caiman and loads of other wildlife. Our guide was incredible, he was so knowledgeable on all the plants and animals and helped us spot the birds and smaller animals we might have missed.
If you only do one tour in Tortuguero, we’d highly recommend this one.
2. Go on a Night Walk
We also did a night walk while staying in Tortuguero. This ended up being one of the most memorable things we did.
The rainforest feels completely different after dark. Everything becomes louder, more intense, and honestly slightly creepy in the best possible way. During our walk, we spotted: frogs, insects, spiders, snakes and other nocturnal wildlife.
Even if you’re not usually into guided tours, this one was genuinely worth doing.
3. Explore Tortuguero Village
Tortuguero Village itself is very small, but that’s part of the charm. The atmosphere feels relaxed and local compared to more tourist-heavy parts of Costa Rica.
You’ll find small restaurants, guest houses, bars and local cafés.
One thing we loved was simply wandering around with no real plan. After spending time in busier destinations like San Jose, Tortuguero felt much calmer.
4. Visit Tortuguero National Park
Tortuguero National Park is one of the most famous national parks in Costa Rica.
The park protects the rainforest, canals, beaches, wetlands and wildlife habitats. This area is especially famous for green turtle nesting, biodiversity and wildlife tours. Even outside turtle season, the amount of wildlife is incredible.
5. Visit During Turtle Nesting Season
We actually didn’t visit during turtle season, so unfortunately, we didn’t see turtles nesting ourselves. But Tortuguero turtle season is one of the biggest reasons people visit.
The main green turtle nesting season usually runs July to October. This is when guided turtle tours operate. If seeing turtles is high on your Costa Rica bucket list, you’ll definitely want to plan your trip around this period!
6. Cerro Tortuguero
If you have extra time, you can also visit Cerro Tortuguero. This is one of the few hills in the area and offers panoramic views over the rainforest and canals. Most people visit by boat tour.
Where to Stay in Tortuguero, Costa Rica
You’ll find a mixture of hostels, guest houses, eco lodges and more luxury options scattered around Tortuguero so it will really depend on your budget.
We stayed in a small guest house, which we honestly really liked. It felt much more personal than staying somewhere overly touristy, and we fell in love with the family who ran it.
One thing we’d recommend is booking accommodation in advance during busy periods because options are limited.
Guesthouse: Green Macaw Guest House
We stayed at Green Macaw Guest House during our time in Tortuguero and honestly loved it. The owner even arranged for her brother Arturo (who later became our guide) to meet us at the pier because Tortuguero can be quite confusing to navigate when you first arrive.
The guest house had everything we needed for our stay:
- comfy beds
- strong WiFi
- fans for the heat
- relaxing hammocks in the courtyard
The owner was incredibly friendly and even helped us practise some Spanish during our stay. We’d also highly recommend booking a tour with Arturo as he was an amazing guide and made the experience so much more fun.
As we’ve highlighted, Arturo was our guide throughout our visit to Tortuguero, and we couldn’t recommend hiring a better guide for the island; his English is very, very good and he has a great knowledge of the area and knows which animals will be in which location. If you do want to contact him to find out more, feel free to message him at +506 7210 8753.
Hostel: Aracari Garden Hostel
If you’re backpacking Costa Rica and want a more social atmosphere, Aracari Garden Hostel is a great option. Several travellers we met said it was one of their favourite hostels in Costa Rica, thanks to the friendly vibe and great location.
Luxury: Mawamba Lodge
If you’re looking for a more luxurious experience in Tortuguero, Mawamba Lodge is one of the most popular options. Located near the Sea Turtle Conservancy and right by the beach, it looks perfect for travellers wanting a more upscale stay.
Best Restaurants in Tortuguero, Costa Rica
El Patio
We ended up eating at El Patio multiple times during our stay because the food was really good and the atmosphere was great. They serve tasty traditional Costa Rican food as well as breakfast, and it’s also a really nice spot to watch the sunset with a beer or cocktail.
Budda Cafe
Budda Cafe was probably one of our favourite restaurants in Tortuguero. Leah loved that they had gluten-free pasta, and the portion sizes were huge for the price. The milkshakes were also amazing. Like many restaurants in Tortuguero, it overlooks the river which makes it such a nice place to sit in the evening.
The Tavern
The Tavern is apparently one of the main local bars in Tortuguero. We unfortunately didn’t get chance to visit ourselves, but our guide Arturo highly recommended it and said it’s especially lively on weekends.
Taylor’s Place
Taylor’s Place was one of the more expensive restaurants we came across in Tortuguero, but definitely worth it if you want fresh, high-quality food in a beautiful jungle setting.
There isn’t really a fixed menu, they usually tell you what’s available that day and cook everything fresh. Even if you don’t eat here, it’s worth visiting for cocktails in the evening. Just make sure you bring bug spray.
Coco Loco
Coco Loco was hands down our favourite smoothie spot in Tortuguero. Everything is made fresh and it’s the perfect place to cool down after walking around in the heat.
They have loads of different tropical fruits and the smoothies were honestly so good. Definitely worth visiting at least once.
How Many Days Do You Need in Tortuguero?
We’d recommend staying at least 2 nights. This gives you enough time to do tours, explore the canals, relax and experience the atmosphere.
A lot of the travel time getting there means one night feels too short.
Weather in Tortuguero
The weather in Tortuguero is honestly VERY unpredictable.
It rains a lot!
Even during drier months, you should still expect rain at some point. This is one of the wettest areas in Costa Rica.
We’d highly recommend bringing:
- waterproof bags
- ponchos
- sandals
- mosquito spray
- quick-dry clothing
Our backpacking must-haves guide includes several things we were very glad we packed.
Bring Cash
One thing we massively wish we’d known beforehand: Bring cash!
The ATMs in Tortuguero were not working properly when we visited, which became really frustrating. Some places accept cards, but not everywhere. We had actually had to ask for cashback from a chicken shop just to pay for our accommodation!
And because the village is remote, you can’t exactly find another ATM easily. We’d definitely recommend withdrawing cash before arriving.
Is Tortuguero Expensive?
Compared to some other backpacking destinations in Costa Rica, Tortuguero can feel slightly more expensive because everything arrives by boat.
But overall, it’s still manageable for backpackers.
Typical Costs
| Expense | Approx Cost |
| Public boat | $5–10 |
| Canoe tour | $20–35 |
| Night walk | $15–25 |
| Budget guest house | $20–50 |
| Mid-range hotel | $70–150 |
| Meals | $5–15 |
What We Loved About Tortuguero
The Wildlife – The amount of wildlife here is incredible. Even outside turtle nesting season, we saw loads of animals.
The Boat Journey – Honestly, the boat ride there felt like part of the adventure itself.
The Slower Atmosphere – Tortuguero felt far calmer and less commercial than other parts of Costa Rica.
The Canoe Tour – This ended up being one of our favourite experiences from the entire Costa Rica trip.
Is Tortuguero Worth Visiting?
Absolutely!
Tortuguero ended up being one of the most memorable places we visited in Costa Rica.
The canals, rainforest atmosphere, and wildlife make it incredibly unique. Even without seeing turtles, we still loved it.
If you’re travelling around Costa Rica, we’d definitely recommend adding it to your itinerary. You can also read our ultimate Costa Rica bucket list for more incredible places to visit.
FAQ: Tortuguero Costa Rica
Yes, especially if you enjoy wildlife, rainforest, and nature-focused travel.
Most people travel by boat from La Pavona after travelling from San Jose.
The main green turtle nesting season usually runs from July to October.
We’d recommend staying 2–3 nights minimum.
No. You can only drive as far as Pavona before transferring onto boats.
Yes, we felt very safe while visiting Tortuguero.
Follow Us
- Where to Stay in La Fortuna: Best Areas + Hotels for Every Budget (2026 Guide)
- Tortuguero, Costa Rica: Complete Visitor’s Guide for Backpackers
- Things To Do in Bocas Del Toro: The Ultimate Travel Guide (From Our Experience)
- Best Hostels in Panama: Where to Stay for Backpackers
- Best Restaurants in Manuel Antonio, Costa Rica!
Disclaimer: Some of the links included on our website may contain affiliate links. We may receive some commission from purchases made via these but it will NOT affect the price you pay. This is to allow this site to stay online and ensure that readers use, what we believe, is the best products possible whilst travelling.
Tortuguero, Costa Rica looks amazing! So good to know that it’s difficult to get to and also that it rains a lot. I think it still would be 100% worth visiting, it looks so, so beautiful and a great place to be in nature.
Absolutely worth it Kate! Thank you for your kind comment.
We definitely would go searching for outdoor spots when we visit Costa Rica. So it looks like Tortuguero should definitely be on the plan. Great idea to provide details on how people can get to Tortuguero. October would certainly be a perfect time to plan a visit if we get to see turtle hatching! Although we will be sure to stay out of the dangerous waters.
You should definitely visit; if you have any questions then don’t hesitate to get in contact! So pleased you liked our guide.
Costa Rica has been on my bucket list forever. Glad to hear it’s open for travel. I need to start planning a new adventure! Thanks for the inspiration.
You definitely should Bea and you HAVE to visit Costa Rica, we loved it.
This looks like the perfect place to visit post-covid! It’s so heartening to see more and more destinations begin to rouse back to life!
It definitely is and we totally agree.
Very good to know about the beach. Definitely do not want to encounter sharks or those strong currents! Also the canoe tour sounds incredible. I was able to do a night walk tour when I studied abroad in Ecuador.
So pleased you liked our guide Alaina. A night walk in Ecuador sounds amazing!
I just visited Costa Rica back in March, but we primarily stayed in Tamarindo. I’ve actually never even heard of Tortuguero! Great tips on where to stay, what to do and what to eat, but I especially appreciated your tips around safety. I had no idea that the east coast of Costa Rica was notorious for sharks and strong currents (or that there were crocodiles – scary!); getting in the water would’ve likely have been the first thing I did if I didn’t know that! I’d also love to visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy. Thanks so much for sharing all of this info; great post! Xx Sara
Thanks for your kind words Sara; it was quite scary thinking about it but we loved the place. We absolutely loved Tamarindo as well, great place to relax on the beach!
My husband wants us to go to Costa Rica soon. I’m saving this to show him about Tortuguero National Park. Sorry to hear about the mosquitos and sandflies, but thanks for the warning!
Yes, you definitely should! Our pleasure and feel free to get in contact if you have any further questions.
Very complete and detailed guide for a visit! I would love to travel to Costa Rica! You made an amazing adventure and see so many interesting places (and also animals!) food also seems so yummy! Thanks a lot for sharing this!
Thank you so much for your kind words Lasma; you should definitely visit Costa Rica if you have the chance!
I didn’t get to the Caribbean side when I was in Costa Rica, but this looks like a delightful town! I’d love to visit the sea turtle conservancy and go on a kayak tour!
Thank you for your kind words Maggie; you should really visit if you get the chance!
I feel like Tortuguero gets less attention than Costa Rica’s Pacific Coast and the central tourist spots, like Arenal Volcano and Monteverde, so I really enjoyed reading your post! Your food and drink recommendations all sound awesome, and I’d love to visit Tortuguero National Park. Thanks for the tip about bringing mosquito repellant, too – that’s something I wouldn’t think to bring but would definitely need!
So pleased you liked our post, Brittany; thank you for your kind comments.
It looks AMAZING here, definitely adding this to the list!
Thank you so much Sammi, you won’t regret it!
I love Costa Rica!! I just visited last year for my birthday. I’ve never heard of Tortugero but will def check it out next time I plan a trip to Costa Rica! Great post 🙂
It’s such a beautiful place right?! Thank you so much for your comment Belle.
I’d love to go to Costa Rica and Tortuguero looks like a wonderful place to visit. Thanks for sharing you’re tips and experiences. I’ll save this post for later!
Thank you so much; so pleased you enjoyed our post!
We missed this beautiful spot on our trip to Costa Rica. But, this gives us a reason to go back!
Absolutely Jenn! Hope you enjoyed CR nonetheless.
Tortuguera sounds amazing! I’d love to see the National Park. We are heading to CR but to the other side. Sounds like we need to plan a follow up trip to make sure we see Tortuguero!
The national park was amazing! I hope you enjoy CR; make sure to visit Manuel Antonio National Park and Tamarindo.
Tortuguero looks amazing, I definitely understand the hype about Costa Rica- could definitely use a good trip here!
Thank you so much Shafinah! Costa Rica is definitely worth a visit.
This is a great guide! It’s good that you mention to carry cash because that’s usually something we forget to do nowadays.
Thank you for your kind words Yanitza; so glad this our guide has been helpful!
Tortuguero looks like such a fascinating place to explore! Seeing the unique wildlife on a night tour sounds like an incredible experience! Thanks for the great guide!
Thanks for your comment Hannah. Tortuguero really is an amazing place to visit; not many tourists do but it was so totally worth it.