Snorkeling in Jaco: Tortuga Island with monkeys & crocodiles

Five hours on a private beach with snorkeling gear, lunch and a family of spider monkeys across the water.

This full-day snorkeling tour from Jaco visits three stops (Tarcoles River, Negritos Island and Tortuga Island) with a guide in English or Spanish, staying in groups of 22 or fewer. The tour includes snorkeling equipment, lunch, fruits and drinks on Tortuga Island, plus 20 minutes watching crocodiles from the Tarcoles bridge and time at Negritos to see spider monkeys. Ground transportation between Jaco and Puntarenas costs USD $20 per person round-trip if you choose pickup.

Step-by-step itinerary

Island tour with wildlife and snorkeling

• Observe crocodiles at Tarcoles River bridge
• See Puntarenas' Lighthouse
• Visit Negritos Island to watch spider monkeys
• Spend 5 hours on Tortuga Island
• Enjoy snorkeling tour on Tortuga Island
• Relax at private beach spot with lunch
• Visit the stone arch of Nicoya

The experience

What makes this different from the packed boats is the five hours on Tortuga Island itself, spent on a private spot away from the main beach. You get snorkeling gear, unlimited water and non-alcoholic drinks, lunch, coffee and seasonal fruit, all included, so the day does not break for logistics. The group size caps at 22, which means the boat moves slower and the private beach stays quiet.

The route builds from smaller stops. You start with 20 minutes at Tarcoles River watching crocodiles from the bridge, then pass Puntarenas Lighthouse on the way out. Negritos Island comes next, a wildlife refuge where the guide shows you a family of spider monkeys in their favorite spot and tells the history of the group. Then you have the full afternoon on Tortuga Island. The snorkeling happens here, and the stone arch of Nicoya, a rock formation sculpted by waves over 300 years, sits at the end of the day.

The tour runs 7 to 10 hours depending on conditions and how long you spend in the water. If you book ground transport from Jaco to Puntarenas, that costs USD $20 per person round-trip and gets added at checkout. Otherwise you arrange your own way to the dock. A guide in English or Spanish is included, and the boat handles all the snorkeling equipment.

What’s included

• Snorkeling equipment.
• lunch and seasonal fruit on Tortuga Island.
• unlimited water and non-alcoholic drinks.
• coffee.
• guide in English or Spanish.
• wildlife viewing at Negritos Island and Tarcoles River.
• five hours on Tortuga Island's private beach.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 07:00

AgesAdult (12 to 60 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 22

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.You can choose from 24 pickup points.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather or if the minimum number of travelers isn't reached. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended during pregnancyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Turismo Marítimo del Pacífico

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full day on the water with time to actually snorkel and rest between stops, rather than a quick boat hop. The group size under 22 and the private beach spot mean you avoid the crowded afternoon tours that turn the island into a beach club.

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Top questions

What languages is the tour guided in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

What's the snorkeling actually like on Tortuga Island?

Tortuga Island has a reef where you enter the water from the private beach the tour uses. The tour includes snorkeling equipment and five hours on the island, so you set your own pace in and out of the water. The guide does not run a timed snorkel session.

Will I actually see spider monkeys at Negritos Island?

Negritos Island is a wildlife refuge, and the guide takes you to a favorite spot where a family of spider monkeys lives. The guide tells the history of the group, but wildlife sightings depend on the day and the season.

How much time do we spend watching crocodiles at Tarcoles River?

The Tarcoles River stop is 20 minutes, spent on the bridge observing crocodiles from above. It is the first stop after leaving Jaco.

Do I need to arrange my own transport to the boat, or is pickup included?

Pickup from Jaco is included. Ground transport from Jaco to Puntarenas (where the boat departs) costs USD $20 per person round-trip and is optional. You can arrange your own way to the dock instead.

What should I bring for snorkeling?

Snorkeling equipment is provided. Bring a towel, sunscreen, a rash guard or shirt for sun protection, and a change of clothes. Water shoes help on rocky entries.