Isla Tortuga
Beach · Nicoya Peninsula
A palm-fringed island in the Gulf of Nicoya with white sand, clear water for snorkeling and a lookout trail. It is reached only by boat on day trips from Paquera, Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Jacó and Puntarenas.
- Time there
- 5 h
- Best time
- midday
- Kids
- 8 / 10
- View
- 9 / 10
- Crowds
- 8 / 10
- Swimming
- 8 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 9.77323, -84.89545 — Google Maps
- Ratings
- 4.7 on Google (3,961) · 4.2 on Tripadvisor (1,057)
Tip
Take the earliest boat and walk to the lookout (Sendero de los Poetas) or snorkel before the crowds arrive around midday; price depends on the operator, so compare what is included.
Be careful
Boat-only access: pick a licensed operator with life jackets and check sea conditions. The sun is intense with limited shade.
Getting there
Boat only (day tours from Paquera, Montezuma, Santa Teresa, Jacó, Puntarenas).
Places nearby
- Tortuga Island Tour (Isla Tortuga Tour Costa Rica)Tours & Adventure · from $70High-volume Isla Tortuga operator: snorkeling, a beach day and lunch on the island, with departures from Tambor and Montezuma, Santa Teresa and Puntarenas.
- Bahía Rica (bioluminescent kayak tours & fishing lodge)Tours & AdventureA small wooden kayak-and-fishing lodge on the bluff 1.5 km east of the Paquera ferry landing, best known for its night kayak tour on Paquera's bio-bay, where every paddle stroke lights up blue-green plankton and you can even jump in and swim through the glow.
- Soda La EsmeraldaSodas & Local FoodA roadside soda on the Paquera-Tambor road with a solid Google rating from over 250 reviews - a handy refuel stop for traditional Costa Rican food.
Sources: OpenStreetMap relation/11879982 · https://wanderlog.com/drive/between/78772/78788/santa-teresa-to-montezuma-drive · https://www.myglobalviewpoint.com/things-to-do-in-the-nicoya-peninsula/ · https://www.costaricavibes.com/destinations/nicoya/ · https://capturetheatlas.com/nicoya-peninsula-costa-rica/