Tortuguero

Tortuguero is a village on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, reached mostly by boat, known for nesting green turtles and wildlife on its rainforest canals.

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Tortuguero is a small village on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, in Limón Province, at the edge of Tortuguero National Park. There are no roads into the village, so most visitors arrive by boat after a road transfer to a river launch point, or by small plane. Lodges sit along the canals and the beach, and getting around is mostly on foot or by boat.

The village is known for sea turtles. Green turtles nest on the beach, and guided night walks are the usual way to see them. The park's canals are the other draw: boat trips turn up monkeys, caimans, sloths, toucans and many other birds. The trip suits wildlife watchers and travelers who want a slow pace. The Caribbean side is wet most of the year, and the turtle season runs roughly March through October, with the busiest nesting in summer. Plan at least two nights, and three if you want time on both the canals and the beach.

Tortuguero in five

Book the boat or flight inThere is no road into Tortuguero. Most visitors take a road transfer from San José to the river dock, then a boat along the canals, or a short flight on a small plane.Getting around
Book turtle walks earlyGreen turtles nest most heavily from July to October, and leatherbacks nest earlier in the year. Nesting beaches are visited only with licensed guides, so book through one.
Carry colones and small dollar billsMany lodges quote prices in US dollars, but village shops and boat operators often want colones. Carry both in small notes.
Pack for rain and mosquitoesIt rains in most months, and the canals stay damp all day. Bring a light rain jacket, insect repellent and closed shoes for the forest trails.
Keep flash off on the turtle beachFlash and white light disturb nesting turtles. Stand where the guide tells you, and do not touch turtles, eggs or hatchlings.

Things to do in Tortuguero

See all attractions in Tortuguero

Museum · TortugueroSea Turtle Conservancy Visitor's Center

Sight · TortugueroTortuguero

Sight · TortugueroPlaya Tortuguero

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Need to know

Currency: Colón (CRC)
Entry: Visa-free for many passports; check current rules on migracion.go.cr Read more
Emergency: 911 general emergency, 917 police, 118 fire, 128 Red Cross
Tipping: 10% service often added; tip boat and turtle guides
Time: UTC-6, no daylight saving

Weather by month

Rainy days

Best
Good
Mixed
Poor

JanuaryRain27 rainy daysHigh27°Low22°Rainy, quieter
FebruaryRain24 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Drier, quiet
MarchRain25 rainy daysHigh29°Low22°Drier, leatherbacks
AprilRain24 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Drier, nesting
MayRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Rains return
JuneRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low24°Rainy, nesting
JulyRain31 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Green turtle peak
AugustRain29 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Turtle nesting
SeptemberRain28 rainy daysHigh30°Low24°Very wet
OctoberRain30 rainy daysHigh29°Low23°Very wet, turtles
NovemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low23°Rainy season
DecemberRain29 rainy daysHigh28°Low22°Wet, holidays

Average daily high and low in Tortuguero, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Tortuguero

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 29°
Humidity: 90%
Wind: 11 km/h
Chance of rain: 100%

Tortuguero

02:39 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-6

Today26°23°100%Monday: Rain. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 100%.
Tue29°22°94%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 29°, Low 22°. Chance of rain 94%.
Wed29°23°88%Wednesday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 88%.
Thu26°23°89%Thursday: Rain. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 89%.
Fri27°23°76%Friday: Rain. High 27°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 76%.
Sat26°23°69%Saturday: Rain. High 26°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 69%.
Sun29°23°64%Sunday: Drizzle. High 29°, Low 23°. Chance of rain 64%.

Updated 11:25 AM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 455.4 CRC

Amount

Converted to

CRC · Costa Rican Colón

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Tortuguero canalsabout 1 to 3 hours by boatBoat trips through the park's canals for monkeys, caimans and birds, most easily done from the village.
Cahuita National Parkmost of a day by road and boatA coastal park with beaches and forest trails, a long day from the village and better as an overnight stop.
Barra del Coloradomost of a day by boatA fishing village farther north, reached by boat, for a different stretch of coast and canal.

Before you go to Tortuguero

eSIM for Costa RicaOffline maps help on the canalsRead the guide

Insurance for jungle tripsCover for boats and jungle trailsRead the guide

Money and cards in TortugueroColones, dollars and card limitsRead the guide

Lodges on the canalsLodges reached by boat from the dockRead the guide

Rules for Tortuguero, checked

Many passports enter visa-free; check current entry rules on migracion.go.cr before you book flights.Source
Declare fresh food, plants and animal products on the arrival form, and follow the customs rules on the official site.
Do not touch turtles, eggs or hatchlings, and keep flash off on nesting beaches. Follow your licensed guide's instructions.
Stay on marked trails in Tortuguero National Park, and do not feed or handle wildlife.

Plan around Tortuguero

All of Costa Rica

Parks, entry rules and money for a Costa Rica trip

Read the guide Getting to Tortuguero

Road transfers, boats and small planes compared

Read the guide Visas and entry

Who needs a visa and what to carry on arrival

Read the guide Money and costs

Colones, dollars and cards for the village and lodges

Read the guide Where to stay

Lodges on the canals and guesthouses in the village

Read the guide Tours and tickets

Guided boat trips and turtle walks to book ahead

Read the guide

Tortuguero FAQ

How do you get to Tortuguero?

By boat or small plane, since there is no road into the village. Most visitors take a road transfer from San José to the river dock, then a boat along the canals. A short domestic flight is the quicker option if you want to save a day.

Is there a road to Tortuguero?

No. The village and the lodges are reached only by water or by air. Arrange your transfer before you travel, because boats run on set schedules and the trip from San José takes most of a day.

When is the best time to see sea turtles in Tortuguero?

Green turtles nest most heavily from July to October, and leatherbacks nest earlier in the year. Turtle walks are guided and limited, so book ahead for the months you plan to go.

How many days do you need in Tortuguero?

Two to three nights give you a canal boat trip, a turtle walk if the season fits, and a morning on the forest trails. Staying only one night means losing most of a day to travel.

Do you need a guide in Tortuguero?

Yes for turtle walks, which are run only by licensed guides. A guide also helps on the canals and forest trails, where wildlife is easy to miss without one.

Is Tortuguero worth it as a day trip from San José?

Not really. The travel alone takes most of a day each way, so you would spend little time on the canals. Stay at least one night.