How to get to Tortuguero, the Caribbean Amazon

2026-06-05 · 4 min read

Tortuguero is the “Caribbean Amazon” — a maze of jungle canals on Costa Rica’s northeast coast, famous for nesting sea turtles and reachable only by boat or plane. With no roads in, getting there is a real part of the trip planning. Here is how to do it.

The standard way: bus and boat

The overland route means a drive from San José to a launch point such as La Pavona or Moín, then a public or lodge boat through the canals. It is scenic but adds up to a half-day or more in each direction, with fixed boat departure times to work around.

The fast way: fly

A charter from San José to Tortuguero (TTQ) is about 35 minutes — $1,235 for the aircraft (~$247 per seat for five) — replacing a bus-and-boat day with a short, low-altitude flight straight over the rainforest and canals. You arrive with the whole day still ahead of you.

What to do once there

• Canal boat safaris for caimans, river otters, monkeys and abundant birds.
• Sea-turtle nesting walks — green turtles come ashore roughly July to October.
• Kayaking the quieter lagoons at dawn.
• Visiting Tortuguero village and the sea-turtle conservation centre.

When to go

Turtle nesting peaks July to October, and the Caribbean side is often at its driest around September — a great window when the Pacific is wettest. See the best time to visit. Bring rain gear regardless; it is rainforest year-round.

Plan your flight

Tortuguero pairs well with a few nights on the southern Caribbean afterwards. Request a flight to lock in your dates, or ask us on WhatsApp.

Frequently asked questions

Can you drive to Tortuguero?

No — there are no roads. You arrive by boat or by air, and flying is the quickest option at about 35 minutes.

When can I see turtles?

Green-turtle nesting season runs roughly July to October, with guided night walks on the beach.

How much is the flight?

$1,235 for the whole aircraft (~$247 per seat for five) on the San José → Tortuguero route.