Tortuguero: Canoe Tour in Tortuguero National Park
A canoe tour inside the national park. Paddling is quieter than a motorboat.
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Why go
Tortuguero National Park protects a network of freshwater canals, lagoons and coastal rainforest on the northern Caribbean coast. Travel happens by boat. Most visitors come for canal tours, which are calm, slow and good for watching herons, kingfishers, monkeys and caimans, and for guided turtle-nesting walks during the nesting season.
Getting there
Access is by boat from landings such as La Pavona, after a road transfer, or by small plane. Most visitors book a package or a lodge transfer. Pack light, since luggage often moves between buses and boats.
Turtle season, honestly
Sea turtles nest on Tortuguero’s beach at certain times of year, with the green turtle season usually centred on the middle to later months of the year. Night beach access is regulated and turtle walks must be done with authorised guides. Nesting is natural behaviour, not a show: some nights no turtles come ashore. Lights and flash photography are not allowed on these walks.
Practical notes
- Difficulty: canal tours are seated and easy. Some trails are muddy; rubber boots are often available locally.
- Rain: the Caribbean coast is wet year-round, with no long dry season.
- Accessibility: boat boarding can be awkward. Ask your lodge about docks and help with boarding.
Tortuguero National Park Canal Tour with Canoe
A canal tour in Tortuguero National Park by canoe.
Check availabilityTortuguero: Night Wildlife Spotting and Jungle Walk Tour
A guided night walk in the forest near the village, with a focus on nocturnal wildlife.
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