Getting Here
Tortuguero is a village in the Limón province, on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast, where you can discover the beauty of Tortuguero National Park with eco-friendly tours. The question that we get asked the most by tourists is, “How do I get to Tortuguero?” The village itself is only accessible by boat, so we are highlighting the most common areas people travel from to make your journey a little easier (whether you are driving or flying). If you have any questions, please feel free to email us!
Important to know
If you are using ground transport to get to Tortuguero, you will arrive at the dock on the mainland in Pavona. One of our guides, Donis, will greet you and walk you to the boat that will take you to the main dock in Tortuguero. If you drive yourself to Pavona, you can park your car at the dock for $10 per night. The important thing to know, if you are arranging for a car to drive you to Pavona, is that there are no boats after 4 pm. It is possible to arrange a private boat, but prices vary depending on availability. The boat to Tortuguero costs ₡4,000 per person and you will pay the driver once you arrive at the main dock. From the dock, one of our guides will welcome you and help you find your accommodations!
Boat Schedule
San Jose
If you are traveling from San Jose, you have the option to fly or drive. You can book flights online at https://www.flysansa.com/. The flight to Tortuguero has limited space and weight restrictions due to the size of the aircraft. You can find more information about flights here. Please let us know if you plan on flying, so we can arrange a water taxi to bring you from the airport to the main dock in Tortuguero. The water taxi costs $10 per person.
If you choose to drive or take a shuttle from San Jose to Tortuguero, you will drive to the dock on the mainland in Pavona. Most locals use the WAZE app to navigate Costa Rica, so we recommend it if you are driving yourselves to Pavona. From Pavona, you will take an hour-long boat ride to the main dock in Tortuguero where we will be waiting to welcome you!
Sambola Tours Tortuguero is happy to arrange a shuttle for you from San Jose to Tortuguero, or vice versa! The transfer is for a minimum of two people, leaving from San Jose, (not the neighboring city of Alajuela). Shuttles are $70 per person and includes the ticket for the boat from Pavona to Tortuguero.
Puerto Viejo
If you are traveling from Puerto Viejo, you have the option to drive or take a boat. If you choose to drive or take a shuttle from Arenal/La Fortuna to Tortuguero, you will drive to the dock on the mainland in Pavona. Most locals use the WAZE app to navigate Costa Rica, so we recommend it if you are driving yourselves to Pavona. From Pavona, you will take an hour-long boat ride to the main dock in Tortuguero where we will be waiting to welcome you!
Sambola Tours Tortuguero is happy to arrange transport for you from Puerto Viejo to Tortuguero, or vice versa! If you are coming from Puerto Viejo, you will take a shuttle that is $15 per person to the dock in Moín. A boat will then pick you up and take you directly to the main dock in Tortuguero. Boat rides are $35 per person, just confirm with us ahead of time to make sure the transfer is arranged and that there is available seating.
Cahuita
If you are traveling from Cahuita, you have the option to drive or take a boat. If you choose to drive or take a shuttle from Cahuita to Tortuguero, you will drive to the dock on the mainland in Pavona. Most locals use the WAZE app to navigate Costa Rica, so we recommend it if you are driving yourselves to Pavona. From Pavona, you will take an hour-long boat ride to the main dock in Tortuguero where we will be waiting to welcome you!
Sambola Tours Tortuguero is happy to arrange transport for you from Cahuita to Tortuguero, or vice versa! If you are coming from Cahuita, you will take a shuttle that is $15 per person to the dock in Moín. A boat will then pick you up and take you directly to the main dock in Tortuguero. Boat rides are $35 per person, just confirm with us ahead of time to make sure the transfer is arranged and that there is available seating.
Arenal/
La Fortuna
If you choose to drive or take a shuttle from Arenal/La Fortuna to Tortuguero, you will drive to the dock on the mainland in Pavona. Most locals use the WAZE app to navigate Costa Rica, so we recommend it if you are driving yourselves to Pavona. From Pavona, you will take an hour-long boat ride to the main dock in Tortuguero where we will be waiting to welcome you!
Sambola Tours Tortuguero is happy to arrange a shuttle for you from Arenal/La Fortuna to Tortuguero, or vice versa! The transfer is for a minimum of two people, leaving from the town center in La Fortuna. Shuttles are $70 per person and includes the ticket for the boat from Pavona to Tortuguero.