Tortuguero Village Visit, Tortuguero

3.8 (18 reviews)
Explore Tortuguero by boat and on foot, discovering its Afro-Caribbean culture, local life, and sea turtle conservation efforts.
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C
Christopher B.
Nov 25, 2025
Very remote and rainy. Best nights sleep listening to rain falling on our cabin.
Joyce
Joyce C.
Mar 29, 2025
Great little walk around the village. You do not realize how close you are to the Carabean Sea until you walk through the village. A nice... Read more
K
Kate R.
Sep 16, 2022
I loved the town. I would’ve liked to have been able to travel here by myself to grab food or drinks, but unfortunately since it is... Read more
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Overview

Discover the history and culture of Tortuguero on a guided visit to this small Caribbean community. Travel by boat from your lodge, then explore the village on foot, passing colorful Afro-Caribbean homes and stopping at local shops, the Sea Turtle Conservancy, and, when possible, the community school. You'll learn how Tortuguero evolved from an isolated settlement shaped by Indigenous, Afro-Caribbean, and immigrant communities into a center for sea turtle conservation and ecotourism. You'll also have opportunities to meet residents, browse locally made handicrafts, and sample the area's Creole flavors.

Highlights

  • Stroll past colorful Afro-Caribbean homes and learn about local life
  • Gain insight into the shift from turtle hunting to conservation and ecotourism
  • Browse artisan shops for locally made artwork and souvenirs
  • Chat with residents and get a glimpse into the community's history and culture

Know before you go

Duration
2h
Recommended for
All ages
Group
Small group

What you'll do

Begin with a boat ride from Tortuga Lodge to Tortuguero Village, a small, car-free community tucked between the Caribbean Sea and a network of tropical waterways. Set out on foot with your guide to explore its colorful streets, passing Afro-Caribbean homes and stopping at local artisan shops and a general store. Depending on the day and school calendar, you may also visit the local school, with opportunities throughout the walk to meet residents and learn about everyday life in this remote corner of Costa Rica.

As you explore, your guide will introduce you to the layers of history that shaped Costa Rica's northern Caribbean coast. Learn about the region's Indigenous and Afro-Caribbean roots and the arrival of Jamaican immigrants who came to work on railroads, at lumber companies, and on fruit plantations. You'll also hear how Tortuguero's abundant sea turtles once attracted hunters and traders seeking their meat, oil, and shells—a practice that eventually gave way to the conservation efforts for which the area is known today.

Visit the Sea Turtle Conservancy center and museum to learn more about protecting the turtles that return seasonally to Tortuguero's beaches. Today, many of the village's roughly 1,500 residents work in tourism and conservation, helping protect the surrounding wildlife and ecosystems while preserving the community's distinctive culture. Before returning to your lodge by boat, you'll have time to browse locally made artwork and souvenirs and, if you like, sample the rich multi-cultural Creole cuisine.

Start times

  • Daily
    3:00 pm

What's included

  • Roundtrip boat transfer from/to Tortuga Lodge 
  • Naturalist guide

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Traveler photos
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Traveler reviews

18 total ratings, 12 with reviews
3.8
Feature ratings
Quality of Experience
4.1
Guides, Drivers and Staff
4.5
Transport
4.5
C
Christopher B.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 25, 2025
Very remote and rainy. Best nights sleep listening to rain falling on our cabin. Read more

Very remote and rainy. Best nights sleep listening to rain falling on our cabin.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Trish
Trish G.
Newark, NJ | Reviewed on Nov 22, 2025
A walk through a local village. The day we went it was pouring rain which did not stop us. They are proud people. Bring cash because you will not find an ATM in this village Read more

A walk through a local village. The day we went it was pouring rain which did not stop us. They are proud people. Bring cash because you will not find an ATM in this village

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
W
Wayne E.
Denver, CO | Reviewed on Oct 26, 2025

not very interesting

Joyce
Joyce C.
San Mateo, CA | Reviewed on Mar 29, 2025
Great little walk around the village. You do not realize how close you are to the Carabean Sea until you walk through the village. A nice fruit milkshake just hit the spot on a hot day. Read more

Great little walk around the village. You do not realize how close you are to the Carabean Sea until you walk through the village. A nice fruit milkshake just hit the spot on a hot day.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
K
Kim M.
Wakefield, RI | Reviewed on Jul 05, 2024
The village had lots of shops and eateries. As Costa Rica has grown, so have the made in China tags on things to purchase. Having traveled to this country many times over the past 24 years, we browsed but did not buy. The beach is there and if we had more time I would have left the waterfront main street and explored more around the fringes. Worth visiting if you are in the area. Read more

The village had lots of shops and eateries. As Costa Rica has grown, so have the made in China tags on things to purchase. Having traveled to this country many times over the past 24 years, we browsed but did not buy. The beach is there and if we had more time I would have left the waterfront main street and explored more around the fringes. Worth visiting if you are in the area.

Tips for future travelers

We enjoyed the boat ride through the national park. We did see wildlife there and along the riverbanks were many beautiful iguana.

Quality of Experience
If you haven't visited the Carribean Coast of Costa Rica, I recommend this trip. Now that I've been I know the Pacific Coast appeals to me more.
Guides, Drivers and Staff
I suffer from motion sickness and all of our drivers throughout the country were very understanding and helpful. I rode in the front seat and my husband was able to stretch out in the back for these somewhat long rides.
Transport
We preferred Wilman, who drove us in his regular car versus a tour bus. He is a great part of Serendipity Tours. Other drivers were hired on our behalf by the tour company.
Rohit
Rohit M.
San Francisco, CA | Reviewed on Oct 07, 2023
The town was very nice and enjoyable to walk through. It wasn't necessarily "guided" as it is mostly 90 minutes of your own time to explore the town Read more

The town was very nice and enjoyable to walk through. It wasn't necessarily "guided" as it is mostly 90 minutes of your own time to explore the town

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Cassio
Cassio S.
Phoenix, AZ | Reviewed on Sep 16, 2023
Got a chance to see the town for some shopping. Read more

Got a chance to see the town for some shopping.

Tips for future travelers

Be ready to buy if you are not planning to return to the town.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
K
Kozue N.
Fairland, MD | Reviewed on Jul 20, 2023
We enjoyed the visits, the guid provided good information but went off bit too long for kids. Afterwards, shopping at the Villegas and walk back to hotel was great. Read more

We enjoyed the visits, the guid provided good information but went off bit too long for kids. Afterwards, shopping at the Villegas and walk back to hotel was great.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
H
Hanna K.
Mooresville, NC | Reviewed on May 28, 2023
The visit to the village was nice. I think we were just exhausted from the travel that we would have liked to be able to get settled in a bit more before we had to go on the guided visit. Also because it is not the busy tourist season, it was a bit sparse and we probably would have been ok if we stayed for only an hour instead of the full two hours. Read more

The visit to the village was nice. I think we were just exhausted from the travel that we would have liked to be able to get settled in a bit more before we had to go on the guided visit. Also because it is not the busy tourist season, it was a bit sparse and we probably would have been ok if we stayed for only an hour instead of the full two hours.

Tips for future travelers

I would recommend this tour for those who are looking to buy souvenirs mainly. There were plenty of souvenir shops. There were also a few bars and restaurants to chill at, but we weren't hungry at that point.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport
Brian
Brian S.
Horizon City, TX | Reviewed on Jan 07, 2023
We enjoyed our time at the village. Saw several cool frogs during a nocturnal walk. Were able to see a turtle emerging from its nest and scramble to the sea. Read more

We enjoyed our time at the village. Saw several cool frogs during a nocturnal walk. Were able to see a turtle emerging from its nest and scramble to the sea.

Quality of Experience
Guides, Drivers and Staff
Transport

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