Things to do in Tortuguero and how to get: Reefs, beaches, routes, distances and passages

Tortuguero is one of the most charming towns in Limón, ideal to explore. Discover the natural beauty of Tortuguero, a Costa Rican paradise famous for its pristine beaches, lush tropical jungle, and important sea turtle sanctuary.

It is also known for its traditions like the Turtle Festival in July, the Chocolate Festival in October, and the Bird Festival in November. But especially for its welcoming climate, as Tortuguero's weather is mostly tropical rainy, with an average annual temperature ranging from 25°C to 30°C.

It is located 200 km from San José, and the nearest airport is Juan Santamaría International Airport. Some other nearby towns you can visit are Cariari, Guápiles, and Siquirres.

To get to Tortuguero from Cariari, Costa Rica, by bus, look for the local bus station and board a bus heading to La Pavona. The journey takes about an hour and a half. Upon arriving at La Pavona, walk to the dock where you'll find boats that will take you to Tortuguero. Boats depart regularly, and the boat trip to Tortuguero takes about an hour. The bus fare from Cariari to Tortuguero costs 10,000 Costa Rican colones ($16.39 US dollars).

To get to Tortuguero, Costa Rica, from the capital city, San José, by bus, follow these steps: First, go to the Caribbean Bus Terminal located in the center of San José. Look for a public transportation company that offers services to Tortuguero, such as Muelle de San Carlos or Transbordadora del Caribe. Buy your ticket and wait at the assigned platform. The bus will take you to Cariari, where you'll transfer to a boat to continue the journey through the canals to Tortuguero. Make sure to have enough cash to pay for both the bus and the boat. Once in Tortuguero, you can enjoy its beautiful beaches and rich biodiversity like nowhere else. The bus fare from San José to Tortuguero costs 5,000 Costa Rican colones ($8.33 US dollars).

Remember that bus schedules may vary, so it's advisable to check the timings before traveling to Tortuguero. Also, be mindful of your belongings and take usual precautions during your journey.

To drive to Tortuguero from the city of Cariari, take Highway 32 towards Guápiles. Continue on this road until you reach Siquirres, where you should turn left to take Route 247 towards La Pavona. Follow this route until you reach La Pavona, where you can park your vehicle in a secure parking area and board a boat that will take you to Tortuguero. It's important to note that vehicles are not allowed in Tortuguero as it is a protected area.

On this route, it takes about 50 minutes to reach Tortuguero as there is a distance of 50 kilometers, and you'll encounter 1 toll on the way, each with an average cost of 2,000 Costa Rican colones ($3.50 US dollars).

To drive to Tortuguero from San José, follow the route towards Guápiles on Highway 32. Continue on this road until you reach Cariari, where you should take the deviation towards La Pavona. Follow the signs indicating the La Pavona dock and park your vehicle in the designated area. From there, take a boat that will take you through the canals to Tortuguero. It's important to note that vehicles are not allowed in Tortuguero, so you'll have to leave your car in La Pavona.

On this route, it takes about 4 hours to reach Tortuguero as there is a distance of 200 km, and you'll encounter 4 tolls on the way, each with an average cost of 2,000 Costa Rican colones ($3.50 US dollars).

Remember to respect the speed limits in Limón, Costa Rica, and follow the traffic signs throughout the journey.

Now, regarding tourism, Tortuguero is known for having special places in the town center and its surroundings where you can take photos without any problem. Some of the best ones are Tortuguero National Park, the canals and lagoons for boat tours, Tortuguero Beach, the town of Tortuguero, the Sea Turtle Conservancy Museum, the Sea Turtle Observatory, the Tortuguero Botanical Garden, and nearby indigenous communities.

Tortuguero's local gastronomy, Costa Rica, is characterized by a rich variety of traditional dishes. Among the main ones are gallo pinto, a delicious mix of rice and beans served for breakfast or as a side dish in any meal; casado, a typical dish consisting of rice, beans, meat (usually chicken, pork, or beef), salad, fried ripe plantains, and tortillas; ceviche, a preparation of fish or seafood marinated in lime with onion, sweet chili, and cilantro; and rondón, a seafood and fish soup cooked with coconut milk and seasoned with local spices. These dishes reflect the influence of Costa Rican and Caribbean cuisine.