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Tortuguero

Costa Rica travel guide

What to see in Tortuguero

Canals in the Caribbean rainforest and a turtle-nesting beach, reachable only by boat or light aircraft.

Updated 18 October 2026 · How we make our guides

  • 5 must-see places
  • Best time: from December to April
Photo: Leyo · CC BY-SA 2.5 ch

Tortuguero highlights

The places you can’t miss. In the app we sort them by day and close to each other.

  1. Canals

    By boat or canoe among monkeys, caimans and birds.

  2. Turtle nesting

    With a guide, at night, in season.

  3. Tortuguero village

    Colourful houses and no cars.

  4. Cerro Tortuguero

    A viewpoint over the canals.

  5. Park trail

    Rainforest right next to the beach.

Day trips from Tortuguero

We take you straight to the best-rated tour on GetYourGuide, with its reviews and dates.

Some links are affiliate links: if you book through them, Bagintravel may earn a commission at no extra cost to you.

When to travel to Tortuguero

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Tortuguero are from December to April. If you can, avoid from August to October (green season (rains), hurricane season).

  1. Jan no warnings
  2. Feb no warnings
  3. Mar no warnings
  4. Apr no warnings
  5. May with warnings
  6. Jun with warnings
  7. Jul with warnings
  8. Aug with strong warnings
  9. Sep with strong warnings
  10. Oct with strong warnings
  11. Nov with warnings
  12. Dec no warnings
  • from May to November

    Green season (rains)

    From May to November it rains almost every afternoon; September and October are the wettest months on the Pacific side (the Caribbean works the other way round).

    What to do: Do excursions in the morning; in September and October, the Caribbean side (Puerto Viejo, Tortuguero) is usually better.

  • from June to November

    Hurricane season

    Hurricanes can form from June to November; August, September and October are the riskiest months. There are almost always days of heavy rain and humid heat.

    What to do: Book with free cancellation, take out travel insurance that covers weather events and check the National Hurricane Center’s forecasts a few days before you go.

Where and what to eat

To eat like a local: the soda (a local eatery). The dishes you can’t miss are in the Costa Rica guide.

Frequently asked questions about Tortuguero

What to see in Tortuguero?

Canals, Turtle nesting, Tortuguero village, Cerro Tortuguero and Park trail.

What to see in Tortuguero in one day?

Don’t miss Canals, Turtle nesting, Tortuguero village, Cerro Tortuguero and Park trail. To split it into days and areas without crossing the city back and forth, the Bagintravel app plans your trip in a minute.

What’s the best time to travel to Tortuguero?

The months with the fewest warnings to travel to Tortuguero are from December to April. If you can, avoid from August to October (green season (rains), hurricane season).

What day trips can you take from Tortuguero?

Tortuguero.

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Guide reviewed 18 October 2026. Places, areas and seasons: the same data the Bagintravel app uses. Sources and method.