Tortuguero canoe and hike tour: Paddle and trail in a day

Five hours paddling the canals, then a walk through the rainforest

A two-part tour of Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast pairs a long canoe journey through the canal system with a guided hike into the forest, both on the same day. The canoe tour runs in the morning and takes over five hours. The trail walk starts at 11 a.m. Life jackets, cushions, binoculars and ponchos are provided. A live guide speaks English or Spanish, depending on which option you choose at checkout. The national park entrance fee is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Tortuguero canals and trails

• 5.45h Canoe tour through canals
• 11.00 am Walk through National Park

The experience

The morning canoe tour covers the park's waterways: the part most visitors come for. You paddle through narrow channels lined with mangroves and open water where caimans, sloths and river turtles surface. The boat moves slowly enough to spot wildlife without rushing, and the binoculars help you see detail from a distance. Cushions and ponchos come standard, which matters on a five-plus-hour paddle. Life jackets are worn throughout.

After the canoe portion wraps, you move to the forest trail. The 11 a.m. walk takes you into a different part of the park: denser, on foot, where the canopy and the ground-level ecosystem show what the water tour cannot reach. The guide points out what lives and grows there, and the pace is set for a morning already spent paddling, so the hike is not strenuous.

Both activities run on the same day, back-to-back, which means you see two ecosystems in one outing rather than choosing between them. The guide is live and speaks either English or Spanish. Pick your language when you book. Entrance to the national park itself is not included in the tour price and is paid separately.

What’s included

• Life jackets, cushions, binoculars and ponchos.
• a live guide in English or Spanish.
• access to both the canal tour and the forest trail on the same day.

Options for this experience

2 options

Spanish05:30

English05:30

You see the exact price of each option when you check availability.See dates & prices

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 05:30

Book up to12h before

AgesAdult (12 and older) · Child (4 to 11 years) · Infant (under 4)

GroupUp to 8

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. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated 9 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical level

Operated by Tortuguero EcoExperiences

Is this one for you?The back-to-back format means you see both the waterways and the forest in one outing, which suits anyone who wants the full range of Tortuguero's ecosystems without splitting the visit across two days. The five-hour canoe portion is suitable for all fitness levels, and the trail walk follows after, so pace your energy accordingly if you tire easily on water.

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Top questions

What languages is the guide in?

Live guide in English and Spanish.

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 11 years); Infant (under 4).

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 canoe portion of the tour?

The canoe tour runs for over five hours and covers the canal system throughout Tortuguero National Park, moving at a pace that lets you watch for wildlife along the mangrove channels and open water.

What time does the hike start?

The forest trail walk begins at 11 a.m., after the canoe tour ends, so both activities fit into a single day.

What gear and safety equipment do I get?

Life jackets, cushions, binoculars and ponchos are all included. You wear the life jacket throughout the canoe portion, and the cushion and poncho help with comfort and weather on the water.

Is the national park entrance fee included?

No. The entrance to Tortuguero National Park is paid separately and is not part of the tour price.