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Wildlife & Waterways of Tortuguero

Bite-sized trip

  • Itinerary:
    San Jose - Tortuguero
  • Duration:
    3 days / 2 nights (flexible)
  • Price:
    From £ 530.- per adult (excluding flights)
  • From £ 390, - per child (up to 11 years)
Take your family back to nature as you stay in the lush Parque Nacional Tortuguero – a breeding ground for sea turtles, and home to sloths, monkeys, toucans, caimans, river otters and a whole host of birdlife. The park is full of waterways cutting through the jungle and you’ll set out to explore them by boat, with experienced local guides who’ll know exactly where to look for all that wildlife the kids (and adults) will love.

*Turtles usually breed July-October, but it’s still well worth a trip outside of these months! The exact program described can vary depending on the season.
Costa Rica Tortuguero boat guide
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Day 1 – Travelling to Tortuguero

Getting here is part of the fun. It’s an early start as you join up with some other travellers on a bus journey to the park, before boarding a boat which takes you along the river and through the jungle to your comfortable wooden lodge, nestled amongst the trees. There’s a swimming pool for the kids to jump into, and a freshly prepared lunch will be served after you’ve settled into your cabin. In the afternoon you’ll set out on your first nature tour by boat, where you’ll hopefully glimpse a sloth or two!

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Day 2 – Exploring nature

Today is a full day for your family to really get in touch with nature, and you’ll head off on foot in the morning with a guide to spot some of the park’s most famous residents, such as toucans, monkeys, caimans and brightly coloured frogs. In the afternoon you’ll hop back on the boat to visit a nearby town and then onto the beach where you can dip your toes on the ocean (just toes though – the currents can be strong around here), before returning to the lodge for a delicious dinner.

*During turtle season (Jul-Oct) you can book an additional night tour to see the green turtles laying their eggs on the beach….a really unforgettable experience for the whole family!

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Day 3 – Departure

After breakfast, it’s time to wave goodbye to Tortuguero as you travel back to the mainland by boat before continuing by bus to nearby Guapiles, from where we’ll have arranged your onward transport.

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Accommodation

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Wildlife & Waterways of Tortuguero

This bite-sized trip can be combined well with

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