Tortuguero National Park holidays

What can you find on Tortuguero National Park holidays that you won't find anywhere else?

Tortuguero National Park protects tropical rainforest - one of the biggest swathes in Central America - which is home to an abundance of wildlife and excellent lodges, each equipped with naturalist guides. These lodges provide comfortable accommodation for the duration of a Tortuguero National Park tour and the knowledgeable natural history guides will take you out on foot or by boat through the waterways to explore the thick jungle. The park itself is only accessible via boat or plane, which already sets it apart as a hidden gem, tucked away on Costa Rica’s northern Caribbean coast. Home to over 60 species of mammal, more than 400 types of bird and around 57 amphibian species, Tortuguero promises unparalleled wildlife sightings and is as close as you can get to a real-life zoology lesson.

Another unique way to do Tortuguero National Park holidays is by volunteering during turtle nesting season, from June to October. Tortuguero plays host to a beach with one of the largest nesting colonies of green turtles in the world. Aid in the effort to protect them during hatching season, participate in beach clean-ups and watch as the hatchlings make their mad dash towards the ocean.

Simply exploring the tangle of fresh-water canals and tropical foliage will lead to chance encounters with myriad creatures. But, if you prefer to plan your mission, our travel experts can help craft a truly tailor-made Tortuguero holiday that ticks off every bucket-list experience. The canal network that snakes through the heart of the national park is the best way to take in the full scope of the fauna, and as you glide along the waterways, keep your eyes peeled for slumbering sloths, basking crocodiles and howler monkeys in the low-hanging branches overhead.

Who are Tortuguero National Park holidays best for?

Wildlife lovers and animal enthusiasts are the obvious answers to this question, however you don’t need to be a budding biologist to appreciate this tropical menagerie. Tortuguero is a treat for anyone looking to get off-the-beaten-track and welcomes families and couples, as well as solo travellers. There are plenty of child-friendly animal-based activities, and youngsters will watch in wonder as playful monkeys traverse the treetops overhead. The area is also heaven for birders. With more than 400 types of bird occupying the skies above the park, bring your binoculars to spot Great Green macaws, Pygmy kingfishers and tiger herons.

Special things to do during Tortuguero National Park holidays

With so much to do in Tortuguero National Park, our travel experts can organise tailor-made holidays which will fulfil your wildest wildlife fantasies:

Tortuguero’s waterways are well-placed to offer some of the best wildlife watching in the park. Hop into a canoe alongside an expert guide, who will point out howler monkeys, black cormorants and green basilisks as you slip silently along the canal.

Tortuguero National Park is famed for its vibrant and bountiful turtle population, living up to its name which means ‘place of turtles’. Between June and October, they come ashore to lay their eggs and Playa Tortuguero is the place to see the hatchlings scuttling along the sand towards the shallows. During your Tortuguero holiday, visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy to learn about efforts to preserve the local turtle population and take part in volunteer activities.

Trekking is another way of appreciating the park’s nature in all its glory. Head out with an expert naturalist guide for the chance to get up close and personal with the best of Tortuguero’s flora and fauna. Treks can be tailored to suit your hiking ability and made appropriate for little legs.

Best Time to Visit Tortuguero National Park

Tortuguero National Park holidays are best suited to the early autumn months, particularly September and October, as these boast the best weather (although April is also very nice). However, if you’re keen to catch a glimpse of the park’s famous turtles, the best time to visit Tortuguero National Park is July or August. The turtles arrive to lay their eggs in July and normally continue nesting until September. The rainiest months in Tortuguero are July, November and December.