250km (155 miles) NE of San José; 79km (49 miles) N of Limón
Tortuguero is a tiny fishing village connected to the rest of mainland Costa Rica by a series of rivers and canals. This aquatic highway is lined with a mix of farmland and dense tropical rainforest that is home to howler and spider monkeys, three-toed sloths, toucans, and green macaws. A trip through the canals surrounding Tortuguero is a lot like cruising the Amazon basin, though on a much smaller scale.
"Tortuguero" comes from the Spanish name for the giant sea turtles (tortugas) that nest on the beaches of this region every year from early March to mid-October (prime season is July–Oct, and peak months are Aug–Sept). The chance to see this nesting attracts many people to this remote region, but just as many come to explore the intricate network of jungle canals that serve as the region's main transportation arteries.
Independent travel is not the norm here, although it's possible. Most travelers rely on their lodge for boat transportation through the canals and into town. At most of the lodges around Tortuguero, almost everything is done in groups, including the bus rides to and fro, boat trips through the canals, and family-style meals.
Important: More than 508cm (200 in.) of rain fall here annually, so you can expect a downpour at any time of the year. Most of the lodges will provide you with rain gear (including ponchos and rubber boots), but it can't hurt to carry your own.
