Tortuga Island (Isla Tortuga) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Tortuga Island. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Tortuga Island Tour with Costa Cat

• Private Isla Tortuga All-included Full-day Tour - Puntarenas

• All-Inclusive Catamaran Day Tour to Tortuga Island

• Turtle Island, from Puntarenas, Snorkeling and Lunch Included!

• Tortuga Island Full-Day Tour from San José with Lunch

There’s no admission fee for Tortuga Island, but most travelers visit as part of a guided boat cruise, often with lunch and transfers included. Full-day island cruises from Puntarenas start at US$85 per person, sunset and bioluminescence night tours start at US$130, and private charter cruises start at US$900 per boat.

Yes, Tortuga Island is one of Costa Rica's most idyllic islands, hemmed in by champagne-colored sands and coconut palms, and a prime spot for swimming, snorkeling, and wildlife-watching. There's no public transport to the island, but a wide variety of boat tours set out from Puntarenas, Jaco, and even San Jose, whether you prefer a sunset cruise, a private charter boat, or an all-inclusive catamaran day trip.

Per one customer who booked the Tortuga Island Full-Day Tour from San José with Lunch, "Fantastic island tour! The snorkeling was amazing with clear water and lots of marine life, and the hiking trail offered incredible views. A perfect mix of adventure and relaxation. Highly recommended."

You have to take a boat to reach Isla Tortuga, a remote island located just off the Nicoya Peninsula. A wide range of Tortuga Island (Isla Tortuga) tours, all day trips, are available for visitors. Boat services regularly depart from mainland ports like Jaco and Puntarenas.

Meanwhile, tours leaving from San Jose also include overland transportation. Costa Rica is infamous for its traffic, and roads, so be advised that a trip by land may take longer than expected, especially if you’re traveling during rush hour.

No, you cannot stay overnight on Isla Tortuga. The island is uninhabited, and it does not have any hotels, to preserve its unspoiled habitats and natural scenery. However, the wide range of day trips available makes the island easily accessible to visitors. If you get an early start, you should be able to explore the island without feeling like you’re missing out on anything.

There’s so much for visitors to do on Isla Tortuga. Although it’s tempting to stay and sunbathe on its postcard-perfect beaches, there are more things to do, such as scuba diving or snorkeling amid Tortuga Island’s (Isla Tortuga’s) sunken shipwreck or hiking and ziplining in the island’s forested, mountainous interior.

Tortuga Island (Isla Tortuga) is a tropical island, so wear clothing appropriate for heat and humidity, just as you would elsewhere in much of Costa Rica. Bring a swimsuit and water shoes to take advantage of seaside activities, as well as a towel and dry clothes to change into afterward.

The boat ride from Jaco to Isla Tortuga takes about 1.5 hours each way, depending on conditions. To make the most of your day out on Tortuga Island (Isla Tortuga), it’s worth setting off early in the day so you can see as much of the island as possible.

There are tons of fun things to do when you're done visiting Tortuga Island. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Jaco:

• Jaco Beach

• Carara National Park

• Pura Vida Gardens and Waterfalls

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Jaco.