Tortuga Island Day Trip from Jaco: Catamaran, Snorkeling & Lunch

Twelve nautical miles to an island that's been protected for five years

You board a catamaran in Puntarenas and spend the day on Tortuga Island's private beach, where you snorkel for 45 minutes in protected waters, eat a full lunch with wine, take a banana boat ride, and hike the island's trails while drinking unlimited margaritas and punch. Hotel pickup from Jaco and all meals are included, so you show up and the day is already arranged.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Tortuga Island

• View Puntarenense province panorama
• Pass Isla San Lucas National Park
• Pass Muelle de Caldera and Gulf
• Arrive Tortuga Island beach area
• Enjoy lunch and beach chairs

The experience

"The water here, it doesn't get dirty," our captain said as we pulled away from the dock in Puntarenas, nodding toward the turquoise stretch ahead. He wasn't being poetic: Tortuga Island holds the Ecological Blue Flag, which means the Gulf of Nicoya waters around it stay clean enough to swim in without thinking twice. The catamaran itself is built for the journey: air-conditioned main cabin, a bow area where you can watch the coastline unfold, and an upper deck with a jacuzzi if you want to float while floating. From Jaco, it's about an hour's ride out, and the boat fills with a mix of families, couples, and solo travelers all heading toward the same 120-hectare protected forest island.

Once you land on Tortuga Island, you're in the company's private beach area, not the crowded part tourists photograph. Lunch happens here: two salads, meat, chicken, fish, white rice, sautéed vegetables, and a glass of wine, all served while you're still in your beach chair looking at the bay. Before that, there's a 45-minute snorkeling tour, which is where the water's clarity actually matters. After lunch, a banana boat ride takes you back out, and the trails on the island let you walk through the forest if you're not ready to sit still. The unlimited margaritas and rum punch flow the whole time, along with natural drinks and sodas, so you're never thirsty. It's a lot packed into one day (snorkeling, hiking, water sports, food), but the structure keeps it from feeling rushed.

The catamaran also passes Isla San Lucas National Park on the way, where you can spot wildlife from the water, and swings by the traditional fishing boats (chinamos) from the Caldera area. The morning starts with a panoramic view of Puntarenas itself (the cruise ship dock, the old train station, the tourist walk), so you see where you're leaving from before the island takes over your attention. Pickup from your Jaco hotel is included, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, which matters on the drive to the dock.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• catamaran transport to Tortuga Island.
• breakfast (ham and cheese sandwich, fruit, coffee or juice).
• 45-minute snorkeling tour.
• beach access to the company's private area.
• lunch with wine.
• banana boat ride.
• island hiking trails.
• unlimited margaritas, rum punch, natural drinks and sodas.
• GST tax.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 06:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 98 years) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 180

Live guideEnglish and Spanish

Meeting point and pickupHotel pickup included.

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 3 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelWheelchair accessibleAccessible transportStroller friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearby

Operated by Bay Island Cruises / Isla Tortuga

Is this one for you?Book this if you want a full island day without arranging transport, meals, or activities separately: the catamaran, snorkeling, food, and drinks are all locked in, so you just show up at pickup and the day unfolds on schedule.

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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 (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.

How far is Tortuga Island from Jaco?

The island is 12 nautical miles from Puntarenas, about an hour by catamaran from the dock. Hotel pickup in Jaco is included.

What's included in the lunch?

Two salads, servings of meat, chicken and fish, white rice, sautéed vegetables, and a glass of wine. Breakfast items (sandwich, fruit, coffee) are also provided.

Is snorkeling included?

Yes, a 45-minute snorkeling tour is part of the day. The island's waters are turquoise and protected, so visibility is good.

What drinks are unlimited?

Margaritas, rum punch, natural drinks, and three sodas per person are unlimited throughout the day.

Is the catamaran accessible for wheelchairs?

Yes, the catamaran and vehicle are wheelchair accessible.

What else is included besides snorkeling and lunch?

A banana boat tour, hiking trails on the island, and views of Isla San Lucas National Park and the traditional fishing boats of Caldera.