Costa Rica Holidays: Tortuguero Turtle Season Tours + Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui
Costa Rica holidays to Tortuguero will transport you to a humid tropical rainforest situated on the northeast Caribbean Coast that is criss-crossed by a network of waterways, rivers and lagoons. Around 120 square miles in size, and with 22 miles of unspoilt coastline, it is one of Costa Rica’s largest and most popular national parks, and is a very important breeding ground for sea turtles. It is accessed by a 1.5-hour boat transfer from Guapiles or by light aircraft.
This dense rainforest is alive with birds, amphibians, reptiles and mammals and is best explored by boat. Birdlife includes great green macaws, toucans, herons, egrets, woodpeckers, tanagers and stick owls. In the quieter backwaters you can see caiman and if you are lucky you’ll spot a sleeping sloth. Binoculars are a must, as the canopy is high, but with the help of an experienced guide you’ll be able to spot so much more.
Turtles always lay their eggs at the place of their birth, so it is vital that these pristine beaches are kept undeveloped. Tortuguero is one of the most important nesting sites in the world for the endangered green turtle. Hawksbill, giant leatherbacks and loggerheads also nest on this coast. Tortuguero turtle season tours take place at night between July and October. Turtle watching is carefully monitored to ensure that the turtles are not disturbed, as they dig holes in the sand into which they lay their eggs.
On Costa Rica holidays to Tortuguera, besides the turtles and the noisy monkeys (howler, spider and the white-headed capuchin) it’s the smaller creatures that can capture the imagination. Brightly coloured frogs such as the blue jeans dart frog and the iconic red-gloved tree frog are favourites, as is the Jesus Christ lizard that can walk on water and the tiny green kingfisher. As this is a high rainfall area, where showers can occur at any time of year, be sure to pack a light rain jacket.
Costa Rica holidays to Tortuguera are often combined with Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui, which offers wonderful lowland tropical rainforest birding, as well as white water rafting.
Combine your ideas with our expertise and let us help you create a holiday of a lifetime. We offer a wide range of options at different price points, all of which can be tailor made to your needs.
We have been arranging Costa Rica holidays, including Tortuguero turtle season tours & Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui for over 20 years.
More information on Costa Rica holidays, including Tortuguero turtle season tours & Puerto Viejo de Sarapiqui:
The village of Tortuguero is situated on the main canal and has rustic bars, craft stalls and locals selling fresh coconut milk.
Many of the lodges are situated in lush gardens along the canal and guided walk from your lodge can be richly rewarding, in addition to Tortuguero turtle season tours. Kayaking is another exciting way to spot wildlife and a sunrise option is often well worth the effort, as wildlife is most active early in the morning. Relaxing by your lodge pool or enjoying a restorative massage is the perfect ways to recharge your batteries between activities.
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FEATURED HOLIDAY
Costa Rica: Arenal + Tortuguero + Caribbean Beach
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$2,684
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
RRB12S
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• Caribbean Beaches
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• Sky Tram & Zip Lines
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• San Jose
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• Sea Turtles, Tortuguero
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• Costa Rica Beach Holidays, Caribbean
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• Gandoca-Manzanillo Wildlife Refuge
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• Arenal Volcano
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• Hanging Bridges
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• Puerto Viejo de Talamanca
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• Hot Springs
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From May to October Costa Rica beach holidays are best on the warm Caribbean coast, staying in the town of Puerto Viejo de Talamanca. You can also visit the dramatic Arenal Volcano with its hot springs, sloths & other wildlife, hanging bridges, zip lines & sky tram and view sea turtles nesting & hatching in Tortuguero National Park. Bird life is also outstanding. All transfers included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Classic Costa Rica: Caribbean to the Pacific
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$3,197
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
RRA14S
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• Holiday to Costa Rica
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• Sloths & Monkeys
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• Thermal Hot Springs
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• Esterillos Beach, Pacific
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• Tortuguero National Park
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• Arenal Volcano
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• Birds & Reptiles
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• Sea Turtles
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• Manuel Antonio
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• Hanging Bridges
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You do not need to drive on this holiday to Costa Rica that, from November to April, combines the birdlife of the Tortuguero Wetlands with the wildlife & hot springs of the Arenal Volcano, Monteverde Cloud Forest & rainforests of Manuel Antonio, with many optional adventure activities. Afterwards relax on the beach on the Pacific Coast. All transfers & specified sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Costa Rica (Turtles): Tortuguero + Arenal + Nosara
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,221
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
RRT14S
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• Monteverde Cloud Forest
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• San Jose
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• Olive Ridley Turtles
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• Hanging Bridges & Hot Springs
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• Palo Verde Wetlands
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• Sloths & Tropical Birds
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• Costa Rica Wildlife Holiday
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• Nosara & Ostional Beaches
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• Arenal Volcano
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• Tortuguero Turtles
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This Costa Rica wildlife holiday combines the Tortuguero turtles on the Caribbean coast (green turtles nest from July to Oct), with the rainforests & hanging bridges of Arenal Volcano, where you can see sloths, monkeys & colourful birdlife. Continue to Monteverde Cloud Forest, Palo Verde Wetlands, Nosara & Ostional Beaches, where Olive Ridley turtles nest (June to Dec). All transfers & sightseeing included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Birding Costa Rica: Caribbean + Highlands + Osa Peninsula
14 NIGHTS FROM:
$4,478
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
7RRB14S
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• Birding Holiday, Costa Rica
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• Bird, Sloth & Turtle Watching
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• Bird Watching
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• Maquenque Rainforest
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• Sarapiqui Rainforest
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• La Selva Biological Station
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• Playa Nicuesa, Golfo Dulce
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• Piedras Blancas National Park
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• Tortuguero National Park
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• Osa Peninsula corridor
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This lodge-based birding holiday to Costa Rica includes bird watching in the Sarapiqui lowland rainforest, in the Maquenque reserve near the border with Nicaragua, in the highlands around San Gerardo de Doto & in Piedras Blancas National Park on the Golfo Dulce, adjacent to the Osa Peninsula. All transfers, light aircraft flights & specified bird watching included.
FEATURED HOLIDAY
Costa Rica by Air: Tortuguero + Arenal + Osa Peninsula
12 NIGHTS FROM:
$5,861
Per person sharing
Scheduled flights quoted separately
RRX12S
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• Corcovodo National Park
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• Sea Turtles
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• Hanging Bridges
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• Tortuguero Wetlands
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• Puerto Jimenez
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• Costa Rica Wildlife Holiday
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• Sloths & Monkeys
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• Arenal Volcano
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• Osa Peninsula
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• Hot Springs
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Explore Costa Rica by light aircraft on this wonderful wildlife holiday. Fly to Tortuguero, where green sea turtles nest, and Arenal Volcano with its rainforest wildlife, hanging bridges & thermal hot springs. Then fly to Puerto Jimenez, the gateway to Corcovado National Park on the spectacular Osa Peninsula. All transfers, park fees & light aircraft flights included.
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