San Jose to Tortuguero National Park (Parque Nacional Tortuguero)

If you’re short on time in Costa Rica but want to see the country’s famous biodiversity beyond the concrete capital, this day trip to the Tortuguero National Park is ideal. Travel through the canals and lagoons on a boat and look out for toucans, crocodiles, sloths, iguanas, and much more. The highlight, though, is seeing the sea turtle nesting sites on the beaches, which give the park its name.

Cruise through one of Costa Rica's most wildlife-rich reserves on a boat tour of Tortuguero National Park, home to an abundance of monkeys, sloths, crocodiles, birds, and the endangered green sea turtle. See the cloud forests and waterfalls of neighboring Braulio Carrillo National Park along the way, and fuel the safari adventure with a typical Costa Rican lunch.

Discover one of Costa Rica’s most beautiful national parks, Tortuguero, on a full-day excursion from San Jose. Join your private guide and make your way to the park, where you board a private, fully-covered boat for your tour through the canals. Your guide sheds light on the ecosystem of the park and points out wildlife like sloths, toucans, monkeys, and even crocodiles.

Make your way to Tortuguero National Park and see where green turtles lay their eggs between July and October. This stunning rainforest is a mecca for the species and also the perfect place for travelers who want to get in touch with nature and spend a day outside of the city. Follow an expert guide through all the sights and learn about the biodiversity that exists in this Costa Rican wonderland.