Tortuguero canoe tour: Wildlife in the national park canals
Paddle the canals where the wildlife finds you
A canoe tour through Tortuguero National Park on Costa Rica's Caribbean coast, where you navigate the waterways by paddle in search of crocodiles, caimans, monkeys, sloths and birds with a licensed guide. The guide speaks English, Spanish or French: groups are kept separate by language so the tour runs entirely in your choice. The tour lasts about two and a half hours and is wheelchair accessible.
What’s included
- Licensed guide in your choice of English, Spanish or French.
- canoe or kayak for the full tour duration.
Times
- Every day 06:00
Before you book
Operated by Hugo Tortuguero tours en français
Prices and times updated 10 days ago
Traveler reviews
The experience
The canoe is how you move through Tortuguero. You paddle into the canal system of the national park, and the guide navigates while watching for the animals that live in and around the water. Crocodiles sun themselves on the banks. Caimans slip between the mangroves. Monkeys move through the canopy overhead, and sloths hang in the branches. The birds (herons, kingfishers, macaws) are everywhere if you know where to look, and the guide does. Because the groups stay separated by language, the guide speaks only the language you chose at booking, so there is no translation lag and no competing voices in the boat.
The paddle itself is gentle. You are not fighting current or distance. You are moving slowly enough to spot things and to let the guide point them out without rushing past. The canals are narrow in places and open in others, and the whole route stays within the park boundaries. Infants can ride in a pram or stroller, and the boat itself is wheelchair accessible, as are all the surfaces and areas you will use. The tour runs about two and a half hours, which leaves the rest of your day open for other activities in Tortuguero or time to rest between excursions.
Is this one for you?The two-and-a-half-hour paddle leaves you time to fit other activities into your day in Tortuguero without committing to a full-day excursion, and the small language-separated groups mean you hear the guide clearly without competing translations in the boat.
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Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English, Spanish and French.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Youth (under 8).
What animals might I see on the Tortuguero canoe tour?
The canals are home to crocodiles, caimans, monkeys, sloths and a wide variety of birds including herons, kingfishers and macaws. What you spot depends on the time of day and the season, but the guide knows where to look and will navigate the canals to give you the best chance of seeing them.
How long does the canoe tour take?
The tour lasts about two and a half hours on the water, paddling through the canal system of the national park.
Is the canoe tour accessible if I use a wheelchair?
Yes. The canoe tour is wheelchair accessible, and all areas and surfaces you will use are also accessible. Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller.
What is included in the canoe tour price?
The tour includes a licensed guide for the full duration. National park entrance fees are not included and are paid separately.
Tortuguero canoe tour: Wildlife in the national park canals
2h 30m · EN · ES · FR
from US$ 35 per person
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