Tortuguero & the Turtles

The Caribbean canal country reachable only by boat or light aircraft, timed to the green turtle nesting season on the beach at Tortuguero.

Day by day

1. 1

   1

   Arrival

   Into San José and north toward Sarapiquí, through the Braulio Carrillo cloud forest.

2. 2

   2

   Sarapiquí

   River morning with a naturalist — caiman, sloth, and some of the best lowland birding in the country.

3. 3

   3

   Into the canals

   Boat from La Pavona into Tortuguero. There is no road; that is rather the point.

4. 4

   4

   Dawn on the water

   Small boat at first light through the narrow channels, when the forest is loudest. Village walk in the afternoon.

5. 5

   5

   The beach at night

   Guided turtle walk in season, with the local guide association. Red torches, no flash, and a strict distance.

6. 6

   6

   Canoe

   Paddling the quieter waterways, where the motorboats cannot follow.

7. 7

   7

   Return

   Boat and road back to San José.

Why it works

• Dawn boat before any other lodge is moving
• Turtle walk with the Tortuguero guide association
• Human-powered canoe on the narrow channels