Tortuguero National Park Standard Tours & Trip...

Tortuguero National Park Standard Tours & Trips

32 Tortuguero National Park trips. Tours from 28 tour companies. 133 reviews. 4.7/5 avg rating.

15 trips exactly matchall of the the filters you selected.
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Standard
Costa Rica: Wildlife Safari
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5/5 Excellent
87 reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Moderate
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Canoe the winding waterways of Tortuguero National Park
  • Come face-to-face with injured toucans, sloths, and monkeys at a local conservation center
  • Tour the world-leading La Selva Biological Station in the rainforest
  • Spot howler and white-faced monkeys while rafting the Sarapiqui River
  • Experience a Costa Rican cooking class

Themes

Nature & Wildlife, Safari

What travelers are saying

"I recently returned from the Costa Rican wildlife safari. I was a bit concerned with Covid however every place was extremely clean and had places for you to wash your hands before you even walked in. This was a trip I was actually supposed to go on in 2020 however it was postponed, waiting so long the expectations were high. I was definitely not disappointed! Patricia our guide was absolutely wonderful, extremely knowledgeable and cater to our every need. I would highly recommend this vacation. Also everyone that I met in the community was extremely gracious and kind. The majority of these people work on tourism and unfortunately in the last year have not had any. Booking this trip would not only be an amazing adventure for you but it would also be amazing for the people in the community"

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Tortuguero National Park Tour – 4-Day Independent Adventure
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4.8/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Why we love them
They’ve partnered with well-known names like National Geographic and the Jane Goodall Institute to offer unique experiences unavailable elsewhere.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Caribbean, San José, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Cruise the canals in search of wildlife
  • Hike through the pristine environment of tortuguero national park
  • Search for sea turtles when in season

Themes

Cultural, Transformative

What travelers are saying

"The tour had an excellent itinerary and activities, giving a broad overview of Peru - we loved it. Accommodations (with one exception) were great, and all had an included breakfast buffet. The tour's included activities (e.g. cooking class, pisco tour and tasting, potato park, boat tour of Isla Ballestas) were terrific. Appreciated the two included flights which saved a lot of driving time. Logistics were handled, and everything was smooth and easy (thanks to our CEO, Mary Chu!)."

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Best of Costa Rica Family Holiday
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4.5/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Why we love them
They’re very committed to sustainable and responsible tourism and contribute to important initiatives like climate action.
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy

Visits

Arenal Volcano, La Fortuna, Monteverde, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Spend time with the Terraba community – an Indigenous group who have survived off the land for more than 500 years – and enjoy a shared lunch of local eats. The kids will love the chocolate-making lesson here!
  • Walk through the diverse forest and jungle and take an incredible canopy walk along suspended bridges in Cloud Forest – lookout for sloths and various birdlife as you go.
  • Experience life as the locals do by spending time on a family farm and learning how to cook authentic local Costa Rican food.
  • Enjoy some family downtime in the seaside town of Dominical at your eco-hotel, surrounded by stunning beaches and a tropical jungle.
  • Look out for wildlife in the evergreen rainforest of Sarapiqui – a town known for its rich biodiversity – and enjoy some free time to maybe learn about the nocturnal creatures that dwell here.
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Themes

Family Friendly

What travelers are saying

"We joined the Intrepid “Real Italy Food Tour” and enjoyed it thoroughly. Our tour guide, Micol, was very knowledgeable and provided us with lots of good information. It seems Micol knew many of the staff of the venues we visited, including the pasta making class we attended. Our group of 11 travelers was extremely compatible, which greatly added to the fun and enjoyment."

Trip dates & details
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Health Safety +

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Costa Rica Explorer
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4.1/5 Great
100+ reviews
Self-Guided / Independent Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Flexible schedule

Visits

Guanacaste

Highlights

  • Arrive in Costa Rica's capital San Jose and tour a few of the city's highlights including the neoclassical Teatro Nacional.
  • Watch thousands of turtles nest at Tortuguero National Park, then tour its canals and village!
  • Explore the secret waterfalls and rainforests of Bajos del Toro, one of the most beautiful areas in the country.
  • Hike, bike, and see the elusive Resplendent quetzal bird at Arenal Volcano and its national park.
  • Learn to surf in Guanacaste, a northwestern province on the Pacific known for its pristine beaches and perfect waves!

Themes

Local Immersion & Homestays, Nature & Wildlife, Relaxing Retreats

What travelers are saying

"Great hotel and flexible about extending my flight, as I am attending a wedding outside of Paris. They would call back and email pretty promptly. However, BEWARE their condition and communication with the vendors/attractions with the trip is poor. They told me I would forfeit my airport transfer back which I was fine with BUT they didn’t cancel it, so the hotel lobby kept calling me, as well as an angry driver on my cellphone. The reason why I use travel agencies overseas is for them to coordinate everything for me especially when I call in for a special request - as that is their job. I also never received my toot bus ticket and had to call in for that. However, I did not receive my river cruise ticket. Doubt I’ll get a refund for that. The office hours are also crap and all over the place. Most likely will never use GVV again, even if I find a steal, because you got to be on your toes with this company. It is not smooth as you would think because you have to do everything yourself for requesting what you paid for or you don’t receive/have to do the explanations yourself."

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Classic Costa Rica tour
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, California, Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve, San José, Tortuguero National Park

Themes

High Adventure, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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A Costa Rican Adventure
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Private Guided
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy
Trip pace
Full schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, San José

Themes

Cultural, Local Immersion & Homestays, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"It's hard to describe how lucky we are to have been able to work with Stephanie in planning our honeymoon to Japan. From the very beginning, Stephanie was friendly, flexible, and an absolute wealth of knowledge. We had several meetings with her leading up to our trip to come up with the perfect itinerary. Throughout this, Stephanie was mindful of our budget, without sacrificing anything. During our trip, Audley was available at all hours to help with anything and everything which was such a relief to know we had that resource available to us. I truly cannot imagine having planned this trip without all of Stephanie's guidance and knowledge- and cannot imagine taking another big trip like this without the help of Audley. Thank you again!"

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Quest for Pura Vida
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4.9/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Small Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Easy
Trip pace
Balanced schedule

Visits

Arenal Volcano, Tortuguero National Park

Highlights

  • Explore the cloud forests of Monteverde and the Arenal Volcano
  • A personal journey to find your own Pura Vida
  • Visit Tortuguero National Park

Themes

Family Friendly, National Parks, Nature & Wildlife

What travelers are saying

"We particularly wanted to do this trip because of the abundance of wildlife we expected to encounter and selected this ship because they offered the kayaking experience. Overall, the weather was very good. Most people seemed like minded and were there for the adventurous experience. Accommodations Review They upgraded our cabin and we were very pleased with the amount of space and the amenities in the room. We appreciated the twin windows and being able to see humpbacks diving from our cabin. It was kept very clean and it was a treat to have our bed turned down with chocolates on the pillow each night. Meals Review We liked the variety and the quality of the food. There was always something new to try. The dining room staff was very professional and personable. Crew & Guides Review Solon was our Principal Trip Leader. He was incredibly professional and it seemed like he was constantly working to maximize the encounters with wildlife and scenery, taking advantage of all the weather opportunities and going to places that they don't often go. He worked very closely with the captain who was very accommodating and caring about us having a memorable voyage. Aymie and Andrew were our kayak guides. We went out to kayak 10 different times and were able to get to know both of them well. They worked hard to keep us safe and well informed. They made sure that we didn't miss out on any land excursions. We've had quite a few kayak guides over the years that we've paddled and we loved these two. Marla was the marine biologist aboard the ship. She was very enthusiastic and had a passion for marine mammals that was infectious. We loved listening to her presentations and looked forward to hearing her voice on the PA saying that there was another whale sighting. Colin, the geologist aboard the ship, was very knowledgeable and able to make difficult subjects understandable to the passengers. Itinerary Review The trip far, far, far, far, far, far exceeded our expectations. I had one "far" in the sentence when we left South Georgia Island after seeing 250,000 King Penguins at St. Andrews Point and added the second when we saw blue whales on two different days. The third "far" was added when we saw hundreds of whales for 6 hours along the iceberg, A68a. I added another "far" when we kayaked for over an hour with humpbacks all around and another "far" when minke whales were all around the kayaks the next day. The last "far" was added the day we didn't paddle since a leopard seal was all around the kayaks and then an orca came close. We had so many incredible experiences that we could never experience all of them in the same trip again. The guides told us that the close encounters that we had didn't happen very often and that we were very lucky that they all happened on our trip. The only thing that we didn't like was portions of the Drake Passage when it was a tad rough, but that experience gives us something to talk about. Transportation Review We made our transportation arrangements through another travel agency. Traveler Advice Make sure that you take sea sickness meds. Take advantage of every opportunity to see wildlife."

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Independent Costa Rica Wonders with Tortuguero & Guanacaste
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4.7/5 Excellent
100+ reviews
Group Tour
Lodging level
Standard - 3 star
Physical level
Very Easy

Visits

Guanacaste, Monteverde, Tortuguero National Park

Themes

50 plus, Cultural

What travelers are saying

"This tour has amazing sites, good hotels in great locations, great pace BUT the tour director that was assigned to be with our small group added nothing to the experience. He did not give us any info, tell us about what we were seeing, give us any info at all. The only time he talked was to tell us when the next bathroom break would be. Apparently this is common for Globus to use retirees starting another chapter. Our guide was 76 and had no energy. Travel with Gate 1 or Intreped.... guides can make or break a tour."

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Tortuguero National Park Reviews & Ratings

4.7/5  Excellent
133  Reviews
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Excellent
8
Great
2
Average
0
Disappointing
0
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S

Susan

Feb 2024

Written on

Costa Rica - Coast to Coast

The itinerary was a perfect blend of full-on activities with some down time for relaxation. The wildlife was incredible - especially the birdlife. Our guide was a pa...

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Tortuguero National Park Tour Selection Trips

  • Decide how long you want to spend in Tortuguero. Tortuguero Village has only small and family-owned restaurants, and essentially no nightlife. If you are expecting higher end luxuries, consider going on tour that only spends a couple of days in Tortuguero.
  • On the other hand, if you are a committed bird watcher or wildlife enthusiast, you should maximize your amount of time in Tortuguero. This way, you will increase your chances of seeing rare birds and animals.
  • If you are primarily interested in the turtle nesting and hatching events, make sure you come during the right season. A call to one of our Tortuguero Tour Operators can also help you plan your vacation to match the timing of the nesting for this year, in particular.
  • Do you mind the humidity, heat, and rain? Tortuguero is known for this kind of weather!

Additional details

Tortuguero on your Tour of Costa Rica

Tortuguero National Park is a popular way to dive in depth into the natural wonders of Costa Rica. For this reason, it is often a stop on grander tours of Costa Rica as a whole, and even on tours that include other countries. Popular combinations include tours of Costa Rica and other Central American countries, like , Cuba, and Guatemala.

The longer tours are a great way to get a better feel of Central America as a whole, and enrich your Costa Rica trip with cultural and adventure activities, instead of focusing on simply observing wildlife. On the other hand, if you have spent multiple days racing between archaeological ruins and soaking up extensive histories, or been bouncing between heart-racing zip lining and bungy jumping activities, Tortuguero is the perfect, relaxing break on your trip.  

Tortuguero National Park Weather

The entire Tortuguero Conservation Area is a tropical climate, so you can expect warm weather (temperatures are generally in the mid-80’s Fahrenheit) and humidity and no matter the time of year. There is consistent rain year round, although September is technically the driest month of the year, though you should still pack a rain jacket if you visit then!

What to Wear in Tortuguero

Because of the likelihood of rain, you should definitely pack a light rain jacket, or consider buying a poncho. A pair of closed-toe shoes, like sneakers, and sandals will work for most of your needs. Tortuguero lodges are also notorious for their rentals of rubber rain boots (“wellies”) if you are concerned about packing the bulky, waterproof item.

Because it can be cooler in the morning and in the evenings, make sure to pack light layers you can easily put on or remove. Synthetic and lightweight materials are preferred, since they will do best in the strong humidity and dry quickly after rain.

Also make sure to bring a bathing suit! Although the ocean is restricted for swimming within the National Park, and you will probably want to avoid the caiman in the canals, your accommodation will probably have a pool, and there are public beaches.

Birdwatching Tours in Tortuguero

Although turtles at Tortuguero’s namesake, and most well known attraction, there is also an incredible abundance of other wildlife. This extends to birds -- there are over 300 species of birds in this small part of Costa Rica, making it one of the best destinations for birders.

A trip to Tortuguero is a great way to catch a glimpse at migrating birds, as well as a long list of local residents. To bird inside of the park, the best (and really only way) to catch a glimpse at some birds is to take a flat bottom boat through the various water canals in the rainforest on a guided, birdwatching tour.

However, there are still many habitats around the park, and probably your lodging, to go look for birds as well. Most birders split their time between the park, and outside habitats (including rice fields, transition zones, and the beaches) in this way.

Some of the highlights in this area include six different species of kingfisher, harpy eagles, sungrebes, tiger herons, king vulture, great green macaws, resplendent quetzales, toucans, various flycatchers, and many more.

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