Tortuguero National Park

About Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park is a coastal and wetland reserve on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast in Limón Province, famous for its canal network and sea-turtle nesting beaches. The park’s lowland rainforest, lagoons and waterways form a mosaic of habitats that support diverse wildlife.

Boat tours through the canals are the principal way visitors experience the park, offering close views of birds, aquatic mammals and reptiles along narrow waterways. Long sandy beaches fronting the Caribbean are key nesting grounds for sea turtles and are subject to conservation patrols and guided viewing programmes.

The protected area was established to conserve coastal wetlands and nesting habitat and has been managed with a focus on marine and freshwater ecosystems. Over time tourism infrastructure has developed in the village of Tortuguero while the park’s interior remains accessed primarily by watercraft.

The park lies on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coastline; the small settlement of Tortuguero provides the airstrip and boat connections used by most visitors.

Access restrictions: Most access to the park is by boat or light aircraft; there are no connecting roads from the main highways to the interior lodges and canals.
Turtle nesting: The park is an important nesting site for sea turtles, especially green turtles; guided night walks and organised patrols are used to protect nesting females and hatchlings.

What to See#

Canals and wetlands: The inland canal network and freshwater wetlands that form the park’s core transport routes and wildlife habitat, navigated by boat for tours.
Nesting beaches: Long Caribbean beaches used by nesting sea turtles, with protected stretches where nightly guided patrols are common during nesting season.
Tortuguero village and access: Tortuguero village, which functions as the main visitor gateway and provides boat access, lodges and a small visitor centre.

When to Go

Best Time to Visit Tortuguero National Park

Plan around turtle-nesting months (mid-summer to early fall) or the drier December-April window for easier travel and more reliable conditions.

Turtle-nesting season and drier months

July-October (nesting peak) and December-April (drier) · 24 to 30 °C (coastal lowlands)

Mid-summer to early fall is notable for sea-turtle nesting on certain beaches; the drier months (Dec-Apr) provide easier travel and fewer rain interruptions.

Wet season

May-November · 24 to 30 °C (coastal lowlands)

Frequent rain and high humidity-can still be rewarding for wildlife but expect boat/schedule disruptions and muddy conditions.

Weather & Climate near Tortuguero National Park

Climate

Tortuguero National Park's climate is classified as Tropical Rainforest - Tropical Rainforest climate with consistently warm temperatures year-round. Temperatures range from 21°C to 32°C. Heavy rainfall (3572 mm/year), wettest in July.

Air Quality: AQI 48 Good

Best Time to Visit

FebruaryJanuaryMarch

Temperature & Rainfall

Temperature Range

35°

Warmest Month

19°

Coldest Month

Monthly Conditions

Month	Comfort	Temp	Feels	Rain	Sky	Humidity	Wind	UV	Daylight
January	Very Good	22° - 30°	26°	277 mm	partly cloudy	88%	3.7 m/s	1.7 very high	11.5h
February	Very Good	22° - 30°	26°	158 mm	partly cloudy	85%	3.8 m/s	2.0 extreme	11.7h
March	Good	23° - 31°	30°	121 mm	partly cloudy	80%	3.6 m/s	2.2 extreme	12.0h
April	Good	24° - 32°	31°	177 mm	partly cloudy	80%	3.5 m/s	2.2 extreme	12.3h
May	Acceptable	23° - 31°	31°	263 mm	overcast	86%	2.8 m/s	1.9 very high	12.5h
June	Good	23° - 30°	26°	354 mm	overcast	91%	2.5 m/s	1.8 very high	12.6h
July	Acceptable	23° - 30°	27°	489 mm	overcast	92%	2.8 m/s	1.6 very high	12.6h
August	Good	23° - 30°	26°	366 mm	overcast	91%	2.6 m/s	1.8 very high	12.3h
September	Good	22° - 30°	26°	218 mm	overcast	91%	2.3 m/s	2.0 very high	12.1h
October	Good	22° - 30°	26°	254 mm	overcast	92%	2.3 m/s	1.8 very high	11.8h
November	Good	22° - 29°	25°	483 mm	overcast	92%	2.7 m/s	1.5 high	11.5h
December	Good	21° - 29°	25°	412 mm	overcast	90%	3.2 m/s	1.5 very high	11.4h

Getting There & Around

How to Get to Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park on the Caribbean coast has no direct road access. Typical access is by boat from river launch points such as La Pavona/Caño Blanco (after a drive to the riverside) - the boat trip to Tortuguero village/park takes around 1-2 hours - or by short domestic flight from San José to Tortuguero airstrip (about 20-40 minutes) operated by Costa Rican domestic carriers. If driving, expect a multi-hour drive to the boat docks followed by the river/sea transfer.

Tips for Visiting Tortuguero National Park

Plan arrival by boat or small aircraft and stay overnight in Tortuguero village to get early‑morning and late‑afternoon canal trips when wildlife activity is highest; many day‑trippers miss these prime hours.
If your goal is to see nesting sea turtles, book a guided night walk with an authorized local guide in the known nesting season (consult operators for exact dates) rather than attempting unguided visits on the beach.

Tortuguero National Park