One
of the country’s main attractions is the 47,000 acres
Tortuguero National Park with its innumerous lagoons
and canals. In the small canals where the bordering vegetation
forms amazing tunnels, nature presents itself from the most
beautiful tropical side: high annual rainfalls and an average
temperature of 79 ° F allow the growth of palm trees, ferns
and trees with tilted roots; parrots, monkeys, caimans
and crocodiles as well as tropical birds live in this magic
world of water and forest. Not to forget the sea turtles
(tortugas) that come to thisCaribbean beach every
year to lay their eggs, thus giving this national park
its name.
Day 1
San José - Tortuguero - (BF,L,D)
Off to an early start from your hotel in San José,
you drive along a scenic route of lush pasturelands and banana
plantations, through the Braulio Carillo National Park. You’ll
stop for a typical Costa Rican breakfast before arriving at
the village of Caño Blanco or Matina. From there you
navigate by boat up the Tortuguero River, alongshore a small
peninsula bordered on the other side by the Caribbean Sea.
Upon arrival it’s time to check into our overnight accommodations
at the lodge.
Enjoy a hearty lunch before taking off with your local naturalist
guide on a walking tour of the bustling village of Tortuguero
and its immediate surroundings. After visiting the turtle
museum we meander, this time along the beach, back to the
lodge for dinner. During the months of March-April and July-October,
an optional guided night hike along the beach is offered,
to observe the nesting of the sea turtles (approximately US
$30 p.p.)
ON Mawamba Lodge OR Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day 2
Tortuguero National Park - (BF,L,D)
A full day of activities begins with the unforgettable sights
and sounds of an early morning tour to experience the awakening
of Tortuguero wildlife. Follow up a well-deserved breakfast
with a boat tour through the quiet backwater canals of the
national park, for up-close observation of the flora and fauna
so unique to this special part of the world. Head back for
lunch and an afternoon of free time; have a “siesta”,
relax by the pool, visit the open butterfly garden, take a
walk on the beach or another boat tour, explore the trails
around the Lodge on your own; you decide. Dinner is served.
ON Mawamba Lodge OR Laguna Lodge Tortuguero
Day 3
Tortuguero - San José - (BF,L)
After breakfast, embark by boat around 9 a.m. for Caño
Blanco or Matina. From there you will head off by bus to a
typical Costa Rican restaurant for a delicious home-cooked
lunch, before continuing back to San José.
TIP: Upon returning from
Tortuguero, a rental
car can be delivered in Guapiles or Siquirres, from where
you may continue to the next destination of your choice, e.g
Arenal Volcano, Sarapiqui, Pto. Viejo de Limón or the
Orosi Valley.
BF = Breakfast, L = Lunch, BL = Box Lunch, D = Dinner
