Turtle Tour
Recommended by 98% of travelers
Badge of Excellence
Tortuguero, Costa Rica
- 1 hour (approx.)
- Mobile ticket
- Offered in: English
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Overview
If you're visiting Costa Rica between the months of July and October, you'll want to experience Tortuguero National Park on this guided evening tour. At the park, which is located in Limón Province on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, you'll learn about the life cycle of sea turtles. Tortuguero is one of their main nesting beaches. Here, you'll get to witness the spawning processes.
- Experience this unique natural attraction while in Costa Rica
- The tour is available from July through October
- Wear dark-colored clothes, closed shoes, mosquito repellent, and a raincoat
- The tour schedules are determined by the park
What's Included
- Guide
- Entrance to National Park
- Transportation of any kind
Meeting and Pickup
Meeting point
- Limón Province, Tortuguero, Costa Rica
Tuanis Tour Office: Our office is located 50 meters south of Tortuguero main dock. A big sign with our name will can be seen from the distance.
End point
This activity ends back at the meeting point.Arranged start time
Confirm time with the local provider in advance of your experience.
- 07/01/2026 - 10/31/2026
Monday - Sunday : 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Itinerary
1
Tortuguero National Park
2 hours • Admission Ticket Not Included
Additional Info
- Confirmation will be received at time of booking
- Not wheelchair accessible
- Not recommended for travelers with back problems
- Not recommended for pregnant travelers
- Most travelers can participate
- This tour/activity will have a maximum of 10 travelers
Supplied by
Cancellation Policy
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
Traveler Photos
Featured review
Connie_S
It is quite a long walk and if you are not used to the humidity it can be difficult, it was for my husband and myself. We are not use to that type of humidity if this would have been during the day we probably would not have been able to complete the tour. It was a great experience and worth it to us, but we will not be able to do this tour again. Our guide was really great and was very knowledgeable, explaining everything to us including history of the Green Turtles and all the threats they face
Reviews
4.9
based on 80 reviews
Philippe_F, Oct 2025
Amazing experience! We were lucky to see a turtle nest and then go back in the sea. I must see and do for every one that comes to Costa Rica.
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words!
We’re so happy to hear you had such an amazing experience and got to see the turtles nesting and returning to the sea truly a once in a lifetime moment!
We really appreciate your recommendation and hope to see you again soon to share more Pura Vida moments together. 🌴🐢
Connie_S, Oct 2025
It is quite a long walk and if you are not used to the humidity it can be difficult, it was for my husband and myself. We are not use to that type of humidity if this would have been during the day we probably would not have been able to complete the tour. It was a great experience and worth it to us, but we will not be able to do this tour again. Our guide was really great and was very knowledgeable, explaining everything to us including history of the Green Turtles and all the threats they face
Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us!
We are glad to hear that you enjoyed the tour and all the information our guide provided about green turtles and the nature of Tortuguero. We understand that the hike can be a bit challenging due to the humidity, but we are happy that you were able to enjoy it and take home fond memories.
We hope you will cherish this experience as part of your Costa Rican adventure. Pura vida and thank you very much for visiting us!
Nishant_B, Jul 2025
Saw two turtles up close! Great tour with good communication. They even arranged water taxis for us so we didn’t have to worry about it.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
How wonderful to hear that you got to see two turtles up close! We're delighted that you enjoyed the excursion and that everything was well organized so that all you had to worry about was having a good time. Thank you for placing your trust in us.
Sean_P, Jul 2025
We were very lucky and saw a mother turtle laying eggs on the beach. That experience was what we signed up for and made the excursion for us. Some things we wish we knew beforehand: the timing of the tour is at the discretion of the National Park and can be anywhere between an 8pm and 10pm start. We had a 9:30pm start and after walking in the dark to the location (about 2 miles) we made it to the beach at 11pm and didn't make it back until after midnight. The bugs were out and pants and longsleeves are highly recommended.
Response from Host, Sep 2025
We're thrilled to hear that you had the incredible opportunity to witness a mother turtle laying her eggs, such a powerful and unforgettable moment.
We also really appreciate you taking the time to share the practical details about the timing and conditions. As you mentioned, the start time is determined by the National Park and can vary each night, which is important for future visitors to know. The long walk in the dark is part of the adventure, but it definitely helps to be prepared.
In addition to wearing long sleeves and pants, we also recommend closed-toe shoes and applying plenty of mosquito repellent before the tour begins, they can make a big difference in overall comfort.
We'd love to welcome you back anytime!
Maxim_T, Aug 2024
Our guide was Bernie, he was very knowledgeable and helpful.
He managed to find another turtle on the beach after our “designated” turtle suddenly turned back to ocean.
So we could see the whole process from the turtle getting ashore and digging up (from afar) to the eggs laying and hiding (when we were allowed to come closer)
There were multiple groups watching the same turtle, but everything was well-organised.
Oliver_M, Aug 2024
It is rare to have such a unique and well organised experience. Not to be missed!
It was possible to see various stages of egg laying without disturbing the turtles too much.
Bart_d, Jul 2024
The guide was very knowledgeable and spoke good English. Also, luckily enough we had no rain and clear skies (during rain season!). While standing on the beach and observing the beautiful turtles we were also able to see thousands of stars and even some shooting stars!
Shelby_S, Oct 2023
We had an amazing time with Carlos! He told us all about the turtles, history of the area, and was very knowledgeable about turtle safety. We saw 3 huge turtles laying their eggs and saw one journey back to the ocean. It was so amazing! Thank you Carlos for an amazing time! We only wish we could have taken another tour with Carlos!
Moumita_R, Jul 2023
Such a beautiful process and experience. We had to walk quite a lot late at night. Out tour guide Carlos was amazing, he is very passionate and informative. There were three little kids in our group and he was very attentive to them making sure that they were ok. We were able to see many turtles come from the ocean and saw one nesting. No camera or electronics allowed, you just have to observe and enjoy the tour. It was beautiful walking along the beach at night and seeing the turtle nest was incredible.
Corrie_J, Aug 2021
We had the most amazing time. Luis was just amazing. He explained everything to us. Would completely recommend to anyone. We had the opportunity to see 3 green sea turtles in different stages of laying. Such a cool experience
Response from Host, Aug 2021
We are very happy to know how happy you all were. Thanks for letting us enjoy along with you.
Koen_B, Sep 2025
You go out at night without electronic devices (camera, mobile phone, etc.) and wait for the spotters to tell you where you can see the turtle while it lays eggs and covers its nest
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Response from Host, Oct 2025
Thank you very much for sharing your experience with us. We are glad to hear that you had such a special moment. It is a unique experience to see how turtles nest and care for their eggs, and we are delighted to have been able to share it with you.
Alba_U, Sep 2023
Nos encantó el tour de la Tortuga con Carlos, un guía muy amable y atento que nos contó muchas curiosidades sobre el desove de la tortuga y está muy comprometido con la protección de la especie. Lo recomendamos
Emanuel_P, Sep 2023
Increíble, la experiencia se va recordar toda la vida, se ve la tortuga en períodos cortos y de forma controlada, nos hizo bonita noche, mucha luz de luna y todo muy bien coordinado.
Alex_B, Sep 2023
La experiencia fue bien en cuanto a ver las tortugas. Nos recogieron en el hotel en lancha y nos dispusimos a ir hacia el lugar donde habían anidado varias tortugas. Al llegar nos encontramos con unos 5 grupos de personas e íbamos a ver todos exactamente a la misma tortuga.
La experiencia fue emotiva. Ahora sí, el guía (Carlos) no mostró mucha motivación desde el principio. Le puso más empeño a repetirnos que debíamos cumplir las normas para ver a las tortugas, que a explicarnos lo que íbamos a ver.
Cuando llegamos, nos dijo que primero viéramos a la tortuga poner los huevos y ya después si eso que le hiciésemos las preguntas. Creo que tiene más sentido, aprovechando el rato que se tarda en llegar, hacer una introducción a las especies de tortugas que se van a ver y a la importancia de tortuguero para ellas.
Tengo la sensación de que lo que explicó fue porque le preguntamos TODO, no por iniciativa propia.
Además, para ser una excursión de 2 horas supuestamente, a penas estuvimos 35-40 en la playa. Llegamos antes de tiempo al hotel y casi estuvimos más tiempo en el traslado (barca+caminata).
Por último, he de criticar la gestión por parte de las autoridades que se encargan de la protección de las tortugas y planificar los avistamientos. A 5 metros de la tortuga que estábamos viendo había otra creando el nido, desconozco la probabilidad de éxito de este proceso, pero esta tortuga no acabó de hacerlo y decidió volver al mar. Desde mi punto de vista y como biólogo marino, creo que se sintió atosigada por la gran cantidad de personas concentrados en un mismo punto. Por lo que podrían separar más los grupos de personas para evitar el estrés de los animales en situaciones como estas.
Resumen: recomendaría otra agencia.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
Lamentamos profundamente que la actividad no cumpliera por completo sus expectativas.
EL parque nacional da 2 horas para poder ver los procesos de desove de la tortuga. Este tiempo de 2 horas es lo que dura aproximadamente una tortuga en realizar todo el proceso de desove los cuales consisten en arribar, limpiar, hacer el nido, desovar, tapar, camuflar y regreso al mar. De los procesos anteriormente mencionados los 3 primeros no se pueden observar porque la tortuga se encuentra alerta y si detecta mucho movimiento en la playa los percibe como peligro y no sale. Nosotros lo que vamos a ver son los 4 procesos restantes ya que la tortuga entra como en una especie de trance y no es tan consiente de lo que sucede alrededor. Es importante mencionar que todas las tortugas son diferentes, hay unas que se toman su tiempo, luego hay otras que son más rápidas; por lo tanto, hay veces en las que salimos mas temprano de la playa y otras en la que nos tomamos las 2 horas. Por otra parte, a pesar de que estén varias tortugas en la playa, las autoridades son las que deciden si nos dan tiempo de mirar otra o no.
Además, por noche son alrededor de 800 personas o mas las cuales son divididas en los 6 sectores de la playa y en los 2 horarios dados por el parque. La forma correcta de ver una tortuga es que un grupo vea unos minutos una parte del proceso mientras los otros esperan a una distancia prudencial en la que no se afecte a la especie, luego ir rotando para que los demás grupos también puedan ver un poco. Lastimosamente las autoridades que estuvieron al principio de la actividad no se hicieron presentes para controlar a los demás grupos, lo que ocasionó que las reglas que se tenían fueran pasadas por alto, alterando a la otra tortuga que se encontraba desovando. Esta situación rara vez ocurre, pero su aporte lo vamos a tomar en cuenta en futuras reuniones con las autoridades encargadas de la gestión de la protección de las tortugas.
juliane_s, Sep 2023
Das Nesting selbst war sehr beeindruckend. Unsre Gruppe allerdings sehr groß und unser Guide Carlos hat wenig übe die Schildkrötn erzáhlt. Man musste konkrete Fragn an ihn richten, von sich aus hat er nicht erzählt. Vor Ort kreisen dann 50 personen rund um eine Schildkröte. Wir wûrden so eine Tour nur noch mit privatem Guide machen - am Besten ist, man macht eine privat Kajaktour und fragt dann den Guide ob er Abends Zeit für die Schildkrötn Tour hat.
Response from Host, Sep 2023
We are very sorry that the activity did not live up to your expectations.
Each group with their guide rotated a few minutes to see a little of the turtle nesting process, while the other groups waited for their turn at a safe distance. Unfortunately, the authorities who were present at the beginning of the activity were not present after the groups began to see the nesting processes, which led to a mess when looking at the turtle, causing the experience was not the best and unfortunately we could not do anything to avoid this situation.
On the other hand, independently of the sector and schedule you are assigned to (these are chosen through an electronic lottery made by the national park) and whether you get a private guide or not for the turtle watching, there are always going to be more guides with more people on the night with you. Per night there are approximately 800 or more people divided between the 2 schedules and the 6 sectors in which the 9 kilometers of beach are destined for sea turtle watching. But thank you very much for your review.
Roman_W, Sep 2023
Une superbe soirée passée à observer les tortues ! Étant de passage à Tortuguero en toute fin du mois d'août, nous avons eu la chance d'éviter les foules de touristes et avons donc pu profiter d'un excellent moment en petit groupe. Notre guide Carlos était un vrai passionné et cela s'est ressenti dans sa façon de nous amener au plus près des tortues marines. Nous avons pu observer quatres tortues lors de cette excursion, dont une en pleine ponte. Un souvenir inoubliable pour nous et un must si vous passez du côté de Tortuguero !
Maxim_K, Aug 2023
Es war ein sehr besonderer Moment, der Schildkröte beim
legen der Eier und begraben des Nestes zuzuschauen. Die Anreise ist zwar etwas komplizierter, sie ist es aber auf jeden Fall wert.
Ricardo_M, Jul 2022
Magnifica excursión,bien organizada y cumpliendo objetivos.Algo larga la caminata pero creo que valió las pena
Response from Host, Aug 2022
Genial y muchas gracias
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