Parque Nacional Tortuguero

Parque Nacional Tortuguero, on the northern Caribbean coast, is known for its navigable canals (instead of roads) and for being one of the most important sea turtle nesting sites in the country.

How to get there: there is no road to the town of Tortuguero. You can drive to La Pavona, leave your vehicle in a paid parking lot, and from there take a public boat to the town — the last stretch is always by water.

Hours: every day, from 6:00am to 12:00pm and from 1:00pm to 4:00pm.

Entrance fee: $17 for a foreign adult non‑resident; $5 for a foreign child non‑resident (up to 12 years). Entry payment is not accepted at the park — it is recommended to obtain the entrance in advance through official channels before arriving.

Sea turtle nesting season: mainly from July to the last week of October (the general season runs from June to October). By regulation, witnessing the nesting can only be done via an authorized guided tour, during nighttime hours (between 8:00pm and midnight).

Note: the exact cost for national/resident visitors and the official advance reservation channel were not confirmed in this verification — confirm at sinac.go.cr or with the Area de Conservacion Tortuguero (acto.go.cr) before traveling.