Tortuguero canoe day & night walk: Three habitats tour

Paddle, walk, and search three different corners of the rainforest in a single day

This shared tour combines a canoe paddle through Tortuguero's canal system at dawn, a daytime walk along the Jaguar Trail at 11 a.m., and an evening search for nocturnal wildlife on the Maguamba Trail. A certified naturalist guide leads all three segments with a telescope included, and the tour runs in English and Spanish for small groups. The park entrance fee is separate.

Step-by-step itinerary

Canoe, Day Walk, and Night Walk

• Canoe tour through Tortuguero canals
• Daytime jungle walk on Jaguar Trail
• Night walk on Maguamba Trail

The experience

The day starts before sunrise with a canoe glide through the waterways at 6 a.m., when monkeys, birds, and reptiles are most active along the banks. You move silently through the canals with a naturalist guide who points out animal tracks, calls, and behavior. The pace is slow enough to spot creatures without rushing past them. A telescope comes with the tour, so distant birds and treetop movement become clear.

By 11 a.m. you're on the Jaguar Trail, one of the park's main walking routes, learning how tropical plants grow and decay, what the forest floor reveals about the animals that cross it, and how the ecosystem holds together. The afternoon gives you time to rest before the evening walk begins at 6 p.m. on the Maguamba Trail, where the rainforest shifts into its nocturnal rhythm: red-eyed tree frogs, snakes, insects, and other creatures that hide during the day become visible and active.

The full experience runs around 6 to 7 hours across the three segments. Small group size keeps the pace manageable and the guide's attention distributed, so you're not competing for sightlines or explanations. The tour suits all fitness levels, though the day walk and night walk involve walking on uneven forest ground. Public transportation options are available to reach the meeting point.

What’s included

• Certified naturalist guide for all three segments.
• telescope for wildlife viewing.
• small group experience across the canoe tour, daytime jungle walk, and evening nocturnal walk.

Options for this experience

2 options

Guide in English or Spanish06:00, 11:00 and 18:00

Guide in English or Spanish06:00, 11:00, 20:00 and 22:00

You pick the guide language when booking. Options with the same name differ in details you'll see when you pick a date.

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

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day5 departure times: the first at 06:00, the last at 22:00

AgesAdult (12 to 75 years) · Senior (90 and older) · Youth (11 years) · Child (3 to 10 years) · Infant (under 3)

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.Operator's directions: “Main dock in Tortuguero”

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Paid on siteUS$ 17

Prices and times updated 14 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Jairo Nature Tours

Is this one for you?Book this tour if you want to see Tortuguero's wildlife in different light and seasons: the early canoe catches morning activity, the midday walk teaches you how to read the forest itself, and the night walk reveals creatures that hide by day. The three-part structure spreads the experience across the full rhythm of the rainforest rather than compressing it into one habitat or one time of day.

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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 (11 years); Child (3 to 10 years); Infant (under 3).

What animals am I likely to see on the canoe and the walks?

The canoe tour through the canals brings you close to monkeys, birds, and reptiles in their natural habitat, especially in the early morning when they're feeding. The Jaguar Trail walk focuses on animal tracks and signs rather than guaranteed sightings, teaching you how to read the forest. The night walk on the Maguamba Trail targets nocturnal species like red-eyed tree frogs and snakes that emerge after dark.

Do I need to bring my own binoculars or telescope?

A telescope is included with the tour, so you don't need to bring your own. It helps you see distant birds and movement high in the canopy without carrying extra gear.

Is the national park entrance fee included in the tour price?

The national park entrance is not included and must be paid separately. The tour price covers the guide, the telescope, and the three guided experiences within the park.

How much walking is involved in the day walk and night walk?

Both the Jaguar Trail walk at midday and the Maguamba Trail walk in the evening involve walking on forest ground, but the tour is suitable for all fitness levels. The terrain is uneven and natural, not paved, so wear sturdy shoes with good grip.