Explore the natural beauty and protected wildlife of Costa Rica?s Tortuguero National Park with a full-day guided tour from San Jose. Cruise through freshwater rivers on a boat ? the only way to access the inner reaches of this beautiful nature reserve. Learn about the park?s incredible biodiversity from your naturalist guide, and visit a green sea turtle nesting site. Take a break from your exploration to savor lunch at the eco-chic Evergreen Lodge surrounded by views of a lush tropical forest.
Highlights
- Day trip to Tortuguero National Park from San Jose
- See nesting sites of Costa Rica?s green sea turtle (Tortuga Verde)
- Learn about a variety of flora and fauna from your expert guide
- Spot wildlife such as spider, howler and capuchin monkeys
- Enjoy complimentary breakfast and eat lunch at Evergreen Lodge with views of the surrounding jungle
- Hotel pickup and drop-off included
What You Can Expect
Nestled within an archipelago of volcanic islands, Tortuguero National Park in Costa Rica is known for its rich biodiversity and is home to 11 distinct habitats including mangroves, rainforests, lagoons, and beaches. This protected tropical reserve offers visitors the chance to see an incredible array of native Costa Rican plants and wildlife. Your full-day tour begins with pickup at your San Jose hotel, followed by a savory breakfast stop at Rancho Roberto?s restaurant in Guapiles.
Continuing on, you?ll pass through the beautiful Braulio Carrillo National Park, a sprawling mountainous reserve dotted with waterfalls and rivers. At a banana plantation near Tortuguero Village, trade in your minivan for a boat, as Tortuguero National Park is only accessible by water. Enjoy a leisurely cruise along the park?s scenic freshwater creeks and lagoons, where you may spot many tropical birds in the surrounding flora.
After about an hour, the creeks will open up into a network of broader canals that traverse mangrove swamps and marshy islands. Explore these lush waterways while learning about the park?s history and diverse ecosystems. Keep an eye out for aquatic life like river otters, spectacled caiman, and the occasional endangered West Indian manatee, plus surrounding jungle creatures like sloths, capuchin and howler monkeys, and a variety of reptiles.
Disembark for a midday lunch at the Evergreen Lodge. Enjoy delicious Costa Rican cuisine in an open-air dining room surrounded by a lovely, lush jungle landscape. After lunch, head back out onto the water to continue exploring the park?s diverse habitats. Visit the black sand beaches that provide an important breeding and nesting ground for Costa Rica?s endangered green sea turtles, and learn how the park?s conservation efforts have helped bring this species back from the brink of extinction.
After several hours of exploring the park?s beaches and canals, begin the 1-hour boat ride back to the park entrance and you’re waiting for the vehicle. Relax and enjoy the passing scenery on the drive back to your San Jose hotel.
Inclusions
- Lunch
- Breakfast
- English speaking guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Tortuguero National Park entrance fee
- Transport by private vehicle
Exclusions
- Gratuities (optional)
- Food and drinks, unless specified
Additional info
- Confirmation will be received at the time of booking
- Infant rates apply provided they do not occupy a seat
- A minimum of two passengers is required for the tour to commence. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund
Voucher info
You can present either a paper or an electronic voucher for this activity.
Local operator information
Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.
Schedule and Pricing
Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible – we 100% guarantee it. Your currency is set to USD.
Departure point
Tour departs from most centrally located San Jose hotels
Departure time
6:30 am (exact departure time varies by hotel location and will be advised upon reconfirmation)
Hotel pickups commence prior to this time, you must contact the local service provider to verify your exact pickup time.
Duration
12 hours (approx.)
Return details
Returns to original point of departure at approximately 6:30 pm