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Experience the tropical rainforest after dark with guided night walks through Tortuguero National Park. See nocturnal wildlife like tree frogs and sloths emerge as the sun sets.
Free Cancellation Explore the nocturnal wildlife of Costa Rica's tropical rainforest on a two-hour guided night walk.
Free Cancellation Explore the Tortuguero jungle after dark to spot nocturnal wildlife like frogs, snakes, and sloths with a local guide.
Free Cancellation Discover Tortuguero's rainforest and canals through guided night hikes, canoe trips, and seasonal wildlife excursions.
Free Cancellation A guided walk through the village and forest to spot nocturnal wildlife and learn about local history.
Read what travelers share about their experience visiting Tortuguero National Park — from practical tips to personal highlights.
Experience the transformation of the tropical rainforest as the sun sets over Tortuguero National Park. Guided night tours offer a rare opportunity to explore the humid forest ecosystem after dark, whether you are spotting nocturnal wildlife in the jungle or witnessing endangered sea turtles nesting on the beach.
Watch the jungle come alive after dark. Expert guides will help you spot tree frogs, sloths, insects, and other species that only emerge at night.
If visiting between July and October, you can join a specialized spawning tour to watch giant green sea turtles lay their eggs on the beach.
Navigate the muddy, unpaved trails of the rainforest with a certified naturalist guide who knows exactly where to look for hidden creatures.
Immerse yourself in the intense sounds of the rainforest at night. The chorus of insects, frogs, and rustling leaves is completely different from the daytime.
Some tours start in Tortuguero Village, where guides explain the history of vintage machinery scattered around the area before heading into the woods.
Experience highly regulated eco-tourism. Night beach walks require dark clothing and strictly prohibit cameras and flashlights to protect the turtles.
Planning a night tour in Tortuguero requires some preparation due to the remote location, strict conservation laws, and unpredictable tropical weather. Here is what you need to know before securing your spot.
Night tours generally fall into two categories: jungle night walks focusing on nocturnal animals and insects, and seasonal turtle nesting tours. There are also multi-day combo packages that bundle night walks with daytime canoe tours.
You cannot explore the park's trails or beaches independently at night. Access to the nesting beaches after 6:00 PM is strictly illegal unless you are accompanied by a certified, licensed naturalist guide.
Tour prices (typically $25 to $30 for a night walk) generally do not include the national park entrance fee. You must purchase your $17 USD adult ticket in advance through the official SINAC online portal.
If you are booking a turtle nesting tour, you are strictly required to wear dark-colored clothing to avoid disturbing the animals. For all night jungle hikes, sturdy, closed-toe walking shoes or hiking boots are essential due to mud and venomous snakes.
Photography and video recording of any kind (including cell phones) are strictly prohibited on the beaches during night turtle tours. Flashlights are also banned on the beach, though they are provided for standard jungle night walks.
Tortuguero receives up to 250 inches of rain annually. Even during the drier months, sudden torrential downpours happen frequently. Bring high-quality waterproof bags for your gear and heavy-duty raincoats.
Night walking tours are generally not suitable for wheelchairs or travelers with severe mobility issues due to muddy, unpaved trails. However, most tours are rated for all standard physical fitness levels.
Most standard small-group night walks and combo tours offer a flexible cancellation policy, allowing for a full refund if you cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
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| Small-Group Jungle Night Walk | Village History & Trail Tour | Combo Package (Land & Water) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 2 hours | 2 hours 20 mins | 48 hours (Multi-day) |
| Focus | Tree frogs, sloths, nocturnal insects | Vintage machinery, interactive trail walk | Night walk, canoe tour, spawning tour |
| Includes | Bilingual guide, flashlights | Guide, lanterns | Guide, lifevest, lanterns |
| Price from | $25 | $25 | $79 |
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Park Hours: Tortuguero National Park is open seven days a week, including holidays. The official daytime hours are from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM (noon), and then from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM daily.
Night Access: Access to the national park beaches after 6:00 PM is strictly illegal unless you are accompanied by a certified, licensed naturalist guide. Night tours typically depart around sunset and last for about two hours.
By Bus and Boat: The most common route is taking a bus or driving from San José to the La Pavona dock. From there, public water taxis depart at 7:30 AM, 12:30 PM, and 4:30 PM for a 1 to 1.5-hour scenic boat ride to the village. The boat costs about $8 USD.
By Air: Sansa Airlines operates daily 25-minute domestic flights from San José Airport (SJO) directly to the small Tortuguero airstrip, followed by a short boat transfer.
By Boat from Limón: You can also take a 3.5-hour scenic boat trip from the Moín Dock near Limón, which costs around $55 USD and offers great wildlife spotting.
Turtle Nesting Season: If your main goal is to see the green sea turtles nesting at night, you must visit between July and October. Keep in mind that September and October bring daily torrential downpours.
Driest Months: If you prefer to avoid the most intense heat and rainfall for jungle night walks, the months of February, April, and November offer slightly more comfortable conditions.
Year-Round Rain: Tortuguero is a highly humid tropical climate receiving up to 250 inches (6,400 mm) of rain annually. Always be prepared for rain regardless of the month.
Wheelchair Users: The remote nature of Tortuguero makes independent travel difficult. While there are handicap-accessible bathrooms at the ranger station and accessible boat tours, the muddy land trails used for night walks (like the Jaguar Trail) are not suitable for wheelchairs.
Elderly & Children: Night tours require participants to navigate uneven, muddy terrain in the dark. Children are welcome, but quiet behavior is strictly required on turtle tours so as not to spook the animals. If mobility is a concern, daytime motorized boat tours are a much better alternative.
The Village: Tortuguero Village is a car-free, 400-meter main strip located on a narrow spit of land. You will find local souvenir shops, small restaurants serving Afro-Caribbean food, and tour operators here.
Banking: There is only one ATM in Tortuguero Village, and it is highly unreliable. Visitors are strongly advised to bring plenty of cash in Costa Rican colones, which are preferred by local businesses and guides.
Meeting Points: Many night tours meet at central village landmarks, such as the main pier by the almond tree, before heading to the trailheads.
Tickets & Permits: All park entry tickets ($17 USD for foreign adults, $5 USD for children 6-12) must be booked at least one day in advance via the official SINAC portal. Tickets are not sold at the gate.
Turtle Tour Restrictions: On night turtle tours, you must wear dark clothing. Cameras, cell phones, flashlights, and any light-emitting devices are strictly prohibited on the beach.
Safety Warnings: Swimming in the ocean or canals is strictly prohibited due to dangerous rip currents, rough surf, bull sharks, and caimans. When hiking at night, always stay on marked paths to avoid venomous snakes like the fer-de-lance.
No. Access to the nesting beaches after 6:00 PM is strictly illegal unless you are accompanied by a certified, licensed naturalist guide to protect the endangered sea turtles.
Usually, they are not. You will need to purchase your park entrance ticket ($17 USD plus tax for foreign adults) separately in advance through the official SINAC online portal.
No. Photography and video recording of any kind, including the use of cell phones, are strictly prohibited on the beaches during night turtle nesting tours to avoid blinding and stressing the turtles.
If you are on a turtle nesting tour, you must wear dark-colored clothing. For all night jungle walks, sturdy closed-toe hiking boots are essential due to muddy trails and the presence of venomous snakes.
It is highly unlikely. The peak nesting season for the green sea turtle in Tortuguero runs from July through October. Outside of these months, you can still book jungle night walks to see frogs and insects.
While wildlife sightings are never guaranteed, guided night walks frequently encounter tree frogs, nocturnal insects, sleeping birds, and mammals like sloths that become active after dark.
Most tour operators provide flashlights or lanterns for standard jungle night walks. However, remember that flashlights and white lights are completely banned on the beaches during turtle nesting tours.
Tours generally proceed in the rain, which is very common since the park receives up to 250 inches of rain annually. You should bring heavy-duty rain gear and waterproof bags for your belongings.
While the main 400-meter strip of the village is generally fine, it is poorly lit beyond that. Solo travelers should avoid walking around alone after sunset and stick to guided tours for exploring the trails.
Yes, children can join, but parents should be aware that absolute silence is required on turtle nesting tours. If a child cannot sit still or stay quiet for long periods, the tour may not be suitable for them.
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Experience the transformation of the tropical rainforest as the sun sets and nocturnal species emerge. This two-hour guided walk provides a rare look at the humid forest ecosystem after dark, focusing on the animals and insects that are only active during the night. Led by a guide specializing in nocturnal tours, you will navigate the forest trails to spot local wildlife. The walk is designed to be informative, with your guide identifying various species and explaining how they have adapted to survive in the darkness.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
As the sun sets, the Tortuguero jungle undergoes a complete shift in activity. This guided walk takes you into the rainforest after dark, a time when many species—from tree frogs to sloths—begin their nightly routines. Your local guide will help you navigate the trails and point out animals that are nearly impossible to spot without an experienced eye. You will have the chance to see various reptiles, insects, and mammals that only emerge at night. The tour focuses on observing these creatures in their natural habitat while learning about the ecosystem's nocturnal behavior. It is a straightforward way to see the side of the jungle that remains hidden during the day.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
Our two-hour guided excursions explore the diverse ecosystems of Tortuguero by land and water. The Night Jungle walk follows certified guides into the forest after dark to see nocturnal animals that only emerge at night. Alternatively, the Canoe Tour navigates the park’s narrow canals, providing a quiet way to observe birds and other wildlife from the water. Seasonal tours are available depending on the month of your visit. From July to October, we lead night walks on the beach to observe Green Turtles during their spawning season. Between November and June, we offer guided hikes along the National Park trails, where expert guides help identify monkeys, sloths, and tropical birds in the wild.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish
This tour begins in the village, where the trail head is located. Your guide starts by explaining the history of the vintage machinery found throughout the area, providing context for the local culture before you head toward the forest. Once you enter the trail, the experience becomes an interactive search for nocturnal wildlife. You will help the guide scan the vegetation to spot species such as frogs, snakes, and insects. It is a practical way to learn how to identify animals in their natural environment at night. As you move deeper into the brush, you may also encounter sleeping birds and various mammals.
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
English, Spanish