Tortuga Island Day Trip from San José: Boat & Beach Lunch

The boat ride to Tortuga Island takes longer than you'd expect, and that's the point

You're picked up from your San José hotel and driven to Caldera pier, then ferried to Tortuga Island on a large boat with views of the Gulf of Nicoya and Isla San Lucas wildlife refuge. Once on the island, you spend the afternoon on a private beach with lunch (grilled fish and chicken, ceviche, salads, fruit), unlimited drinks including rum punch, and access to the water and beach facilities. The boat returns you to the pier in the late afternoon, and you're back in San José by evening. Total time is around 10–12 hours, and everything (transport, meals, drinks, and island access) is included.

Step-by-step itinerary

Full day tour to Tortuga Island

• Pass by Muelle de Caldera
• View Puntarenense province sights
• See Isla San Lucas National Park
• Arrive at Tortuga Island
• Have lunch on the island
• Relax on beach chairs

The experience

The drive from San José to Caldera pier takes about three hours, which means you're leaving early and sitting in a van with a bunch of other tourists heading the same direction. But once you hit the water, the Gulf of Nicoya opens up in a way that makes the drive feel worth it. The boat (one of the larger ones operating in Costa Rica) cuts through the gulf past Isla San Lucas, where you can spot wildlife in the refuge if you're paying attention. The whole crossing takes a couple of hours, and yeah, it's a lot of time on the water, but the crew keeps things moving and the boat's big enough that it doesn't feel cramped.

Tortuga Island itself is smaller than you might imagine. There's no town, no development. Just a private beach area where the company operates, and that's actually what makes it work. You get dropped at the beach with your group, and lunch happens right there in the sand with beach chairs set up. The meal is the real surprise: grilled fish fillet and chicken fillet with rice, sautéed vegetables, salads, and a glass of wine. Before that, ceviche. After, tropical fruits and banana cake. It's not fancy, but it's cooked fresh and it fills you up. The whole island stay is maybe four or five hours, which gives you time to eat, swim, and sit without feeling rushed.

What catches people off guard is how much drinking is included. Unlimited rum punch, beer, soft drinks, natural juices. It's all there, which means a lot of people end up more relaxed than they planned. The water is warm, the sand is fine, and there's not much to do except be there. Some groups snorkel, some just float. The boat ride back to Caldera follows the same route, so you see the gulf again in the late afternoon light, which is different from the morning crossing. You're back in San José by evening, tired and sunburned if you didn't reapply sunscreen.

The whole day is structured around the boat schedule and the tides, so timing matters. You can't just show up whenever. Pickup from your San José hotel is included, and the vehicle is air-conditioned, which helps on the drive out. If you're traveling with kids or older family members, the company notes it's suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchairs can be accommodated, though getting on and off a boat does require some mobility. The permits are all official, which is something you don't think about until you're on the water and realize not every operator here has them.

What’s included

• Hotel pickup from San José in an air-conditioned vehicle.
• boat transport from Caldera pier to Tortuga Island and back.
• lunch on the island with grilled fish and chicken fillets, rice, sautéed vegetables, two salads, ceviche, tropical fruits, and banana cake.
• a glass of wine with lunch.
• unlimited drinking water, natural drinks, soft drinks, beer, and rum punch throughout the day.
• coffee and tea.
• use of beach facilities and beach chairs on the island.
• all government fees and taxes.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:00

Book up to1d before

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4): free

GroupUp to 180

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 19 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 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?A good choice if you want a full beach day without arranging your own transport, meals, or island access: the fixed schedule and included pickup from San José mean you just show up at your hotel and the rest is handled.

Traveler reviews

4.19★★★★★★★★★★

100 verified traveler reviews

5 ★65

4 ★13

3 ★8

2 ★4

1 ★10

Read all the reviews ›

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 (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4): 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 long is the boat ride from Caldera to Tortuga Island?

About two hours each way across the Gulf of Nicoya.

What's included in the lunch?

Grilled fish fillet and chicken fillet with rice, sautéed vegetables, two salads, ceviche, tropical fruits, banana cake, and a glass of wine. Unlimited drinks (water, juices, soft drinks, beer, rum punch) are available throughout the day.

How much time do you spend on the island?

Around four to five hours, which covers lunch, swimming, and relaxing on the beach.

What time does the tour start?

Hotel pickup from San José is early morning. The exact time depends on your hotel location and the tour operator's schedule.

Is this tour accessible for people with mobility issues?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels and wheelchair-accessible transportation is provided. However, boarding and exiting the boat does require some mobility, so check with the operator about your specific needs.

Is snorkeling included?

Snorkeling is not mentioned as an organized activity, though the beach and water are available for swimming.