How to Get to Tortuguero

Destinations - Cities and Towns

Sunrise Located on the Northern Caribbean Coast, Tortuguero is wholly surrounded by water. There are no roads leading into the village itself. There is a small airstrip north of the village and daily flights to and from San Jose are available with local carriers. Visitors can also travel by the slower but less expensive bus / boat route. Boats depart for Tortuguero from Cariari, Cano Blanco and Moin.

Another option is to travel with one of the full-service lodges in Tortuguero. The lodges offer transport to/from San Jose via private shuttle bus and flat-bottomed river boat. Most also offer slightly more expensive packages that include roundtrip flights from San Jose.

Air:

Both of Costa Rica's domestic airlines, Nature Air and Sansa, Flight have daily flights to Tortuguero. Rates depend on season, so travelers are advised to check airlines for current schedules and prices.

Bus / Boat:

From San Jose via Cariari
The cheapest and most common route to Tortuguero is through Cariari and La Pavona. Buses depart for Cariari from San Jose’s Gran Caribe Terminal. The trip is less than two hours. From Cariari, buy a ticket to La Pavona at the central bus terminal. Boats depart for Tortuguero from La Pavona. These public water taxis are timed to meet the buses, so waiting time is minimal.

From San Jose via Moin
Take the 6:30 a.m. bus to Limon from San Jose’s Gran Caribe Terminal. If possible, purchase your ticket one day in advance as the bus is often full. From Limon, take a taxi to the boat docks in Moin where boats depart for the Tortuguero canals (the JAPDEVA docks). The cost is roughly $4 for the 10 kilometer trip to the docks. Tortuguero Canal System

In Moin, boat prices can vary from $30-$50 per person. These are water taxis and don't have a fixed daily service. The return trip to Moin departs Tortuguero at around 10:00 a.m. Travelers should be in Moin before 1:00 p.m. This will give you plenty of time to get back to San Jose during daylight hours.

Note: The Tortuguero Information Center may have updated information on travel to and from the area. (Tel: 506-2-709-8015)

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