Sea Turtle Nesting in Tortuguero: Night Tour, July–October

The National Park gives you two hours on the beach to watch the nesting happen.

A night tour in Tortuguero National Park to observe sea turtles nesting on the Caribbean beach, with a certified guide, park permit and turtle spotter service. The tour runs July through October only, lasts roughly three hours total, and operates rain or shine. You'll report to the office at 5pm to receive your assigned beach time (either 8pm–10pm or 10pm–midnight, assigned by park administration) and then walk to the designated beach sector to wait for the spotter's signal.

Step-by-step itinerary

Night turtle nesting experience

• Meet at office at 5pm
• Receive assigned schedule
• Sign participant log
• Walk to beach sector
• Wait for turtle spotter call
• Observe turtle nesting from 8pm to 12am

The experience

Tortuguero is one of the Caribbean's primary nesting grounds for sea turtles, and this tour puts you on the sand during the season when it happens. The National Park strictly limits beach access to protect the turtles. You get a two-hour window, assigned by the park administration, to be present while they nest. That window falls either 8pm to 10pm or 10pm to midnight depending on the day's assignment. You show up at the office at 5pm, sign in, receive your schedule, then walk with your guide to the beach sector where a turtle spotter will call you over when a turtle is actively nesting.

The tour runs every night from July through October, regardless of weather: rain doesn't cancel it. Wear closed shoes and dark clothing (mandatory), bring a flashlight and rain gear, and leave your camera and phone behind. The park prohibits electronic devices on the beach to avoid disturbing the animals. Your certified guide speaks English or Spanish and is trained in park regulations. The whole experience, from office to beach to return, takes approximately three hours.

What’s included

• Certified guide in English or Spanish.
• National Park permit and beach access procedure.
• turtle spotter service to locate nesting turtles.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayLast departure this season: 31 Oct

GroupUp to 10

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

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 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problems

Operated by Tortuguero Adventures

Is this one for you?The guide speaks English or Spanish, so you follow the commentary in your language. The two-hour beach window is set by the park each day, so you cannot choose your time. Book this if you can be flexible with an evening between 8pm and midnight.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

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.

When exactly do I get to be on the beach to see the turtles?

The National Park assigns you either an 8pm–10pm or 10pm–midnight window on the day of your tour. You find out which one when you arrive at the office at 5pm to check in and sign the participant log.

Can I take photos or videos of the turtles nesting?

No. The National Park prohibits all electronic devices on the beach, including cameras, phones, smartwatches and tablets, to protect the turtles from disturbance.

What is the turtle spotter service, and how does it work?

A spotter is stationed on the beach and signals your guide when a turtle is actively nesting. You wait in your assigned sector until called over to observe the nesting process.

Is this tour available year-round?

No. Sea turtles nest in Tortuguero from July through October only. The tour does not operate outside those months.