2-Day Tortuguero Tour: Night Walk, Canoe & Jaguar Trail

The nocturnal jungle opens up on the first night, before the daytime canoe even starts.

A 2-day tour of Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica's Caribbean Coast combines a night walk through the jungle on arrival, a dawn canoe trip through waterways, and an afternoon hike on the Jaguar Trail. A certified guide leads all three sections in English or Spanish. Pickup at the main dock is included, and you'll wear a lifejacket on the water and carry a flashlight after dark.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1: Night walk on arrival

• Pick up at main dock at 6pm
• Explore jungle to observe nocturnal animals

Day 2: Canoe tour and Jaguar Trail hike

• Pick up at main dock at 5:45am
• Canoe tour through water trails
• Pick up at main dock at 2pm
• Hike the Jaguar Trail with guide

The experience

The tour splits into two distinct rhythms. On the evening you arrive, a guide picks you up at 6pm at Tortuguero's main dock and takes you into the jungle as darkness falls. The nocturnal animals (frogs, snakes, sloths and others) are most active then, and the soundscape of the night is part of what you're there to experience. This first walk sets the pace for what comes next.

Day two starts early. At 5:45am, the guide meets you again at the dock for a canoe trip through the waterways of Tortuguero National Park. From the water you'll see caimans, howler monkeys, spider monkeys and basilisks moving through the vegetation. The guide provides information about each species and the park itself. The same afternoon at 2pm, you're picked up a third time for the Jaguar Trail hike, a walk through the forest interior that deepens the connection to the landscape you've already seen from the canoe.

Lifejackets and flashlights are provided. Your guide is certified and speaks either English or Spanish depending on which you choose at booking.

What’s included

• Certified guide in English or Spanish.
• lifejacket for the canoe.
• flashlight for the night walk.
• pickup at Tortuguero's main dock for all three tour sections.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDepartures at 19:00 and 21:00

Book up toStart time

AgesAdult (18 to 59 years) · Senior (60 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (2 to 11 years) · Infant (under 2): free

GroupUp to 8

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup is optional; you can also go straight to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.You can choose from 3 pickup points.Operator's directions: “All excursions start at the main dock of Tortuguero, this dock is called Muelle los Almendros and is the meeting point.”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelStroller friendlyInfant seats availablePublic transport nearbyInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Tortuguero Chelonia Tours

Is this one for you?Pickup at the main dock means you don't need a car or advance transport to Tortuguero. The guide meets you there at each departure time, whether you're staying nearby or just arriving in the village.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Youth (12 to 17 years); Child (2 to 11 years); Infant (under 2): free.

What animals will I actually see on the night walk in Tortuguero?

Frogs, snakes, sloths and other nocturnal species emerge as darkness falls. The guide takes you into the jungle specifically to observe them and to experience the sounds of the night forest, which is when most activity happens.

How early does the canoe tour start, and how long does it last?

The canoe departs at 5:45am from the main dock. The guide leads you through the waterways to spot caimans, monkeys and other wildlife, with information about each species and the park ecology throughout the morning.

Do I need to arrange my own way to the dock, or is pickup included?

Pickup is included. The guide meets you at Tortuguero's main dock at the scheduled times (6pm on arrival, 5:45am and 2pm on day two).

What's the Jaguar Trail, and is it a difficult hike?

The Jaguar Trail is a walking path through Tortuguero National Park that takes you deeper into the forest interior. It's suitable for all physical fitness levels, and the certified guide shows you the landscape and natural details along the way.

What do I need to bring or wear for the canoe and the night walk?

Lifejackets are provided for the canoe. For the night walk, bring a flashlight or let the guide know you need one. The tour supplies flashlights as part of the package. Wear clothes you don't mind getting wet on the water and sturdy shoes for the jungle trails.