Tortuguero Canals
Nature spot · Caribbean Coast
A maze of natural and dug waterways behind the beach, nicknamed Costa Rica's Amazon. The narrow side channels are where monkeys, caimans, herons and sloths show up.
- Time there
- 2.5 h
- Best time
- morning
- Kids
- 7 / 10
- View
- 8 / 10
- Crowds
- 6 / 10
- Swimming
- 0 / 10
- Effort
- 1 / 10
- Location
- 10.53514, -83.51879 — Google Maps
Tip
Go at sunrise in a canoe or quiet electric boat: big motorboats scare the wildlife and cannot enter the narrow channels.
Be careful
Keep hands inside the boat, caimans live here, and never swim in the canals. Bring a rain jacket and sun protection.
Getting there
Reached only by boat; tours and canoe rentals leave from Tortuguero village.
Places nearby
- Restaurante Mi NiñoFood & CoffeeLocal and traveler favorite right next to the boat dock in Tortuguero, known for its ceviche, shrimp in coconut sauce and fruit juices; there can be a wait at peak hours.
- Tortuguero Nature Native GuidesParks & Wildlife · from $30Local guides in Tortuguero running quiet paddle tours on the canals, national-park hikes, night walks and turtle-nesting tours; part of each fee goes to a local school and community.
- Budda CafeFood & CoffeeTerrace restaurant in the middle of Tortuguero village with river views, a wide menu of traditional dishes with some creative touches and cocktails at sunset.
- Laguna Lodge TortugueroStays · from $291.54Jungle lodge between the canals and the Caribbean sea in Tortuguero.
- Tortuga Lodge & GardensStays · from $150Riverside lodge in Tortuguero set in plantation-style gardens, offering guided boat, kayak and turtle-nesting tours.
Sources: OpenStreetMap way/178101896 · https://en.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Tortuguero · https://www.openstreetmap.org/way/178101896