How to plan a trip to Tortuguero National Park?

How to get to Tortuguero National Park? Which animals can be spotted there? How much is the trip around the canals of Tortuguero? Is Tortuguero National Park worth visiting?

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Contents

• About Tortuguero National Park
• How to reach Tortuguero National Park?
• Where to buy a ticket?
• How much is the admission fee?
• Park opening hours
• Are the guides mandatory in Tortuguero National Park?
• Guided tour – how much is it and how long does it take?
• Which animals can be spotted in Tortuguero National Park?
• What is the best time to visit Tortuguero National Park?
• What needs to be looked out for in Tortuguero National Park?
• Is Tortuguero National Park worth visiting?

About Tortuguero National Park

The park was founded in 1970. Its area was changed three times, currently it’s over 26 500 hectares and water area is over 50 000 hectares.

How to reach Tortuguero National Park?

If you are heading to the park from the Costa Rica capital (San Jose) you need to direct to La Pavona town. The trip takes around 3 hours. There is a parking space there, where you can leave your car. I paid 6 500 colones for leaving my car there for 24 hours.

Next, you need to go to a nearby bay, where the boats leave at certain hours to Tortuguero. You can check the water taxi schedule here.

The price for a two-way taxi is 6 000 colones (11 USD). It needs to be paid in advance, and you will receive a confirmation that will need to be handed to the boat’s captain on the day of return to La Pavona.

The ride takes around 45 minutes one way.

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The parking space in La Pavona is moderately safe, but I do recommend taking all valuables with you and not leaving them in the car at the parking spot.

— TravelOverSky.com advises

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Where to buy a ticket?

The ticket can be bought on the website of the national parks in Costa Rica.

It is not needed though if you choose to go on a guided trip.

It is valid on a given day during the park opening hours, so if you feel like having a walk at the park after a guided tour – you can do it using the same ticket.

How much is the admission fee?

The ticket to Tortuguero park is around 15 USD (no tax) for an adult person.

There are two kinds of tickets available on the official website – canal section one and park admission ticket.

Park opening hours

Tortuguero park is open 6am-4pm.

Are the guides mandatory in Tortuguero National Park?

If you want to go on the canals of the Tortuguero National Park trip, you need to purchase a guided tour.

Guided tour – how much is it, and how long does it take?

A guided tour around the canals of Tortuguero lasts for about 3 hours. The trip cost starts from 30 USD per person.

Which animals can be spotted in Tortuguero National Park?

You can observe many different birds, turtles, otters, monkeys and caymans, and if you are lucky – a jaguar.

What is the best time to visit Tortuguero National Park?

Most of the trips in Tortuguero park start in the early morning hours, e.g. 6 am. It is recommended to go in the morning, as most animals are active then.

What needs to be looked out for in Tortuguero National Park?

One needs to carefully follow trails and paths in Tortuguero National Park. It is not recommended to bathe in the waters of Tortuguero canals, as it is full of caymans. The beach from the Caribbean seaside can be attended only in a certain area – other parts can be visited with a guide only, because this beach can be visited by egg laying turtles, and they cannot be disturbed.

Is Tortuguero National Park worth visiting?

Tortuguero National Park is quite interesting and one can spot many birds there. If you feel like visiting less urbanized places in Costa Rica and have a boat ride around the canals – this park is a must-visit.

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More information, recommendations and trivia about Costa Rica can be found in the Costa Rica tab.

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