Tortuguero Canoe Tour – Wildlife Safari in Tortuguero National Park

Absolutely! Our Tortuguero canoe tour is very family-friendly and safe for everyone, from young children to seniors. We provide life jackets for all ages, including infant-sized vests, so every member of your family will be secure. The canoe ride is smooth and guided by an expert who ensures a calm, enjoyable journey. Kids usually love spotting wildlife from the canoe, and parents can relax knowing that safety is our top priority. We keep our groups small (usually no more than 6–8 people) to give you a personalized, safe experience in the rainforest.

Si está decidiendo entre un recorrido en canoa y un recorrido en lancha a motor en el Parque Nacional Tortuguero, esto es lo que necesita saber:

Los recorridos en canoa ofrecen una experiencia íntima y silenciosa con la vida silvestre

Nuestras canoas a remo se deslizan silenciosamente por los canales, permitiéndole escuchar la selva, no el sonido del motor. Esta tranquila experiencia le permite observar de cerca animales como monos, garzas, caimanes y perezosos, sin ahuyentarlos.

Las lanchas motoras son más ruidosas y disruptivas

Aunque las lanchas motoras pueden recorrer más distancia en menos tiempo, su ruido suele perturbar la fauna que vino a ver. Los grupos grandes y los motores dificultan la conexión con la naturaleza o disfrutar de un momento de paz.

Las canoas acceden a canales estrechos y ocultos

Nuestros recorridos en canoa exploran estrechos canales donde las lanchas motoras simplemente no pueden acceder. Estos tranquilos rincones suelen ser las zonas más biodiversas e intactas de la selva tropical de Tortuguero.

Los viajeros y los expertos coinciden: las canoas son la mejor opción

Las reseñas de TripAdvisor, los foros de viajes y las guías de viaje apuntan a lo mismo: los recorridos en canoa son la mejor opción para los viajeros conscientes del medio ambiente y interesados ​​en la vida silvestre en Tortuguero.

¿Buscas el mejor tour de vida silvestre en Tortuguero?

Elija la experiencia que lo acerque a la naturaleza: con menos multitudes, más vida silvestre y cero ruido de motor.

No worries — you do not need to paddle! Our experienced guide does all the paddling for you. This means you can sit back and relax as you glide silently through the jungle canals. The silence of a paddle-powered canoe (with no motor noise) lets you fully enjoy the sounds of nature and improves your chances of seeing wildlife. You’re free to focus on spotting animals and soaking in the beautiful surroundings while the guide takes care of navigation and propulsion.

The Tortuguero canoe tour is a low-impact, easy adventure. You don’t need to be an athlete or have any canoeing experience. No strenuous activity is required – since our guide paddles, your job is simply to sit and enjoy the ride. The tour typically lasts about 2 hours, during which you’ll be seated in the canoe. It’s generally suitable for all fitness levels, including active seniors and young kids. You should be comfortable sitting for a couple of hours and able to step in and out of the canoe with a bit of assistance. Our guides are happy to help anyone who needs a hand for boarding or steadying the canoe. Non-swimmers are welcome too (life jackets are worn at all times), so overall the tour is gentle and accessible to most travelers.

Tortuguero is often called the “Amazon of Costa Rica” for its incredible wildlife. On our canoe tour through the rainforest canals, you’ll have the chance to see a wide variety of animals in their natural habitat. Common sightings include several species of monkeys (howler monkeys, capuchins, and spider monkeys) swinging through the trees and munching on fruit. You might spot tropical birds like toucans, trogons, kingfishers, and herons along the water’s edge. Reptile lovers will be excited by sightings of caimans or crocodiles resting by the banks and turtles sunning on logs. There are also often iguanas and basilisk lizards (the “Jesus Christ lizard”) skittering on branches. If you’re lucky, you might even catch glimpses of a sloth tucked high in a tree or colorful poison dart frogs among the leaves. Every tour is a bit different, but our guides are experts at spotting hidden creatures and will help you discover the rich wildlife of Tortuguero’s rainforest.

We highly recommend taking the morning canoe tour, as early as possible after sunrise. Early morning is the best time for wildlife viewing in Tortuguero. Around 6:00 AM the rainforest is most active – monkeys are foraging, birds are singing and flying, and other animals come out before the heat of the day. The canals are also calmer and quieter with fewer boats out, so wildlife is less disturbed and easier to spot. Our sunrise canoe safari is designed to take advantage of this peak activity period. Don’t worry about missing breakfast – experiencing the rainforest dawn is well worth it! If you’re not an early riser, we do offer later morning or afternoon tours, but keep in mind that as the day gets hotter, many animals hide deeper in the foliage to stay cool. In summary, the best time for the canoe tour is at dawn for the richest wildlife encounters (and beautiful soft morning light for photos).

Being a tropical rainforest, Tortuguero does get rain – but we’ve got you covered (literally!). Light rain is common and typically doesn’t disrupt the canoe tour at all. We provide rain ponchos to all guests in case of rain, so you’ll stay as dry as possible. Our canoes are stable and you’re unlikely to get wet from splashes; only minimal water exposure occurs as we paddle. You can also store your belongings in our dry bags, which are provided on each tour to keep cameras, phones, and other items safe from water. If a sudden downpour happens, your guide may pull ashore briefly or take cover under the jungle canopy until it passes – these showers usually clear up quickly. The tour operates rain or shine: wildlife actually often stays active during light rain, and the rainforest in the rain has its own magic! In the rare event of truly severe weather (like a major thunderstorm), we would reschedule or refund the tour for safety. Otherwise, a little rain is part of the Tortuguero experience, and our guests often still have a fantastic time even if they get to wear a poncho for a bit.

Absolutely – bring your camera or smartphone! There are fantastic photography opportunities on the canoe tour. The scenery alone is stunning, with glassy water trails winding through lush green jungle. You’ll be able to capture images of the wildlife we encounter: monkeys swinging overhead, birds perched on branches, or a caiman peeking out of the water. Since the canoe is paddled quietly, we can often get close to animals without disturbing them, allowing for great close-up shots. We provide dry bags to keep your camera gear or phone safe from water, so you can feel comfortable taking them out for photos when you want. Many guests also bring binoculars for wildlife watching – feel free to do so (our guide usually carries a pair as well). Just remember to secure any electronics in the dry bag when not in use, and maybe have a waterproof pouch if you’re using your phone a lot. Our guides are happy to help you take a family photo in the canoe, or point out the best angles to photograph animals. So yes, photography is highly encouraged – you’ll come away with amazing pictures of Tortuguero’s wildlife and scenery!

Yes. Because our canoe tour takes place inside Tortuguero National Park, each visitor is required to have a valid park entry ticket. The park ticket is not included in the tour price, so you will need to obtain it separately. How to get the ticket? The easiest way is to purchase it online in advance through the official SINAC website (SINAC is Costa Rica’s national park service). When buying, select “Parque Nacional Tortuguero – Sector Canales”, which is the ticket for the Tortuguero canals where the canoe tour goes. The online purchase is quick and secures your spot (the park limits daily entries, so it’s good to have it ahead of time). Alternatively, you can buy the ticket in person at the Tortuguero National Park office in the village before the tour, but keep in mind office hours can be limited early in the morning. Once you have your ticket (which is a day pass), you’re all set – just bring the digital receipt or printout with you. Our guide will verify you have the park ticket before we depart. The ticket typically costs around $15–$20 per adult (children and nationals are cheaper). Also, note that the ticket remains valid all day, so you can use it to explore other park activities (like hiking the Jaguar Trail) after the canoe tour if you want. We’re happy to assist or advise on the ticket purchasing process when you book with us, to make it as easy as possible.

Yes, we do offer private canoe tours and flexible start times upon request. If you prefer to have the canoe to yourself (and your family/group) with a dedicated guide, we can arrange a private tour. Private tours are a great option for birdwatchers, photographers, or families who want a more intimate experience. You can also request a different start time if our standard schedule doesn’t suit you. For example, some guests who can’t do the early morning might request a mid-morning tour, or those keen on photography might want a specific light later in the day. We try to accommodate special timing whenever possible. Simply contact us in advance to set up a private canoe tour or to discuss a custom schedule. We’ll do our best to tailor the experience to your needs. (Do keep in mind that wildlife is most active at dawn, so we generally recommend sticking to an early start for the best experience, but the choice is yours!). Whether private or group, we always keep the experience personal and unrushed. Feel free to reach out with your preferences, and we’ll arrange the private canoe tour of your dreams.

Tortuguero is a year-round destination, and our canoe tours operate in all seasons. There really isn’t a bad time to visit, but different times of year offer different perks. Tortuguero has a tropical climate with a green (rainy) season and a drier season. The drier months (typically February to April, and also September) tend to have less rainfall – making travel logistics a bit easier – while the rainy season (May through November) means lusher landscapes and very active wildlife (animals love the wet environment!). Even in the rainier months, it usually doesn’t rain all day; showers are often short, with sunshine in between. We run tours year-round, so whenever you plan your trip, you can join our canoe tour, rain or shine. If you’re interested in seeing the famous Tortuguero sea turtles, the best time to visit Tortuguero is during turtle nesting season, which peaks from July to September. Many guests plan their trip around that to do a nighttime turtle tour in addition to the canoe excursion. If wildlife viewing is your priority, know that Tortuguero’s wildlife (monkeys, birds, reptiles, etc.) is abundant all year. Mornings are always the best time of day for the canoe tour no matter the month, as we mentioned. In summary, you can visit anytime and still have an amazing experience – tours are available year-round. Just come with a sense of adventure and you’ll fall in love with Tortuguero in any season.

We understand that sometimes plans change unexpectedly. That’s why we offer a flexible cancellation policy to give you peace of mind. If you need to cancel or reschedule, just let us know as soon as possible. For a full refund, you can cancel up to 24 hours before the tour date with no penalty. We will refund your deposit or any tour payment in full if you cancel at least a day in advance. If you have a last-minute emergency (within 24 hours of the tour), we encourage you to still inform us – we will do our best to accommodate you with a reschedule or partial refund when possible, though we can’t guarantee full refunds for very late cancellations. In the rare case that we have to cancel (for example, due to extreme weather making it unsafe, which is very uncommon), we will also offer you a full refund or the option to reschedule. Our goal is to be understanding and fair. Your vacation time is important, and we don’t want you to worry – if you book with us and then something changes, we’ll work with you. Free cancellation up to 24 hours in advance is our standard policy, and we’ve got a hassle-free refund process. Just reach out to us via email or WhatsApp if you need to make any changes to your booking.

Booking your Tortuguero canoe tour is easy! We offer a few convenient ways to reserve your spot:

• Online or WhatsApp: You can book by contacting us through our website’s booking form or by sending us a message on WhatsApp. We’re very responsive and can confirm availability quickly. (Many travelers love using WhatsApp to chat with our team for quick questions before booking.)
• Check availability: We’ll let you know the available dates and tour start times (our canoe tours usually start around 6:00 AM for the group tour). We operate daily, so there’s usually a spot open on your desired date, especially if you book in advance.

Payment process: Once we confirm a date/time with you, we typically ask for a small deposit (around $20 USD) to secure your reservation. This deposit can be paid easily via PayPal or SINPE (a local payment method in Costa Rica), whichever you prefer. We will send you the simple instructions or a PayPal link – it only takes a minute. The deposit goes toward your tour price and guarantees your guide and canoe are reserved for you. Free cancellation up to 24 hours before means your deposit is fully refundable if you cancel in time (as mentioned in our cancellation policy). The remaining balance for the tour can be paid on the day of the tour. We accept cash (USD or colones) for the final payment – in fact, cash is preferred on the day of the tour because there’s no processing fee. If you need to pay the remainder by credit card or PayPal, that’s okay too – we can accommodate that (a small processing fee of about 10% may apply for PayPal/credit payments on-site).

After your deposit is received, we will send you a confirmation with all the details: meeting time and location, what to bring, and a reminder to buy your national park ticket in advance. Our meeting point in Tortuguero is centrally located (usually at the Tree Coffee House next to the main dock, or we’ll specify another easy spot). On the day of the tour, just show up at the meeting point with your park ticket and the rest of your payment, and we’ll take care of everything else!

In short, to book: just reach out to us online, send a $20 deposit to secure your spot, and you’re booked. We strive to keep the booking process as straightforward and reassuring as possible. Feel free to ask us any questions at any step – we’re here to help and make sure you feel confident about your Tortuguero adventure.

Happy paddling, and we look forward to guiding you through the beautiful Tortuguero canals on our canoe tour!