Tortuguero Canoe Tour: Wildlife Canals with Local Guide

Summary

Explore Tortuguero’s wildlife-rich canals by canoe or kayak

You’ll paddle slowly through Tortuguero’s lush canals with a local guide who knows every bend and birdcall. Spot monkeys, sloths, caimans, and bright birds from your canoe or kayak. Tours are offered in your preferred language, so you won’t miss any details — just quiet moments and wild encounters you’ll remember long after the trip.

What’s the experience like?

We’d barely pushed off from the dock in Tortuguero when our guide, Mariela, waved at a fisherman drifting by — they exchanged a few words in Spanish I didn’t catch, but she grinned and told us he’d just seen a family of howler monkeys up ahead. The air was thick and green-smelling, like wet leaves after rain. I tried to paddle quietly (not easy), but the water here is so calm you can hear every bird call bouncing off the trees.

Mariela switched between English and French without missing a beat — apparently you can do this canoe tour in whatever language you want, which is kind of rare around here. She pointed out a sloth curled up high above us (I swear it looked like a fuzzy coconut) and then we drifted past some caimans sunning themselves on the muddy bank. My partner whispered something about “Jurassic Park vibes” and honestly, it fit. There was this moment where all you could hear was the dip of paddles and some distant frog croaking — I didn’t expect to feel that peaceful in the middle of so much wildness.

I asked Mariela if she ever gets tired of these canals and she just laughed — said there’s always something new hiding in the mangroves. At one point she handed me her binoculars to spot a toucan (I missed it, but hey). The whole thing felt unhurried; nobody rushed us along or talked over the sounds around us. If you’re looking for a day trip in Tortuguero that actually lets you slow down and notice things, this is it. I still think about that green light filtering through the leaves.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Canoe tour in Tortuguero

• Navigate canals by canoe or kayak
• Wildlife watching: crocodiles, caimans, monkeys, sloths, birds

Top questions

Is this canoe tour in Tortuguero wheelchair accessible?

Yes, all areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible.

Can I do the tour in French or another language?

Yes, tours are available in your choice of language without mixing groups.

What animals might I see on the Tortuguero canoe tour?

You may see crocodiles, caimans, monkeys, sloths, and various birds.

Are infants allowed on this canoe trip?

Infants can join; they must sit on an adult’s lap or ride in a stroller.

Is public transportation nearby for this activity?

Yes, public transportation options are available close to the starting point.

What’s included

Your day includes a licensed local guide who leads your group by canoe or kayak through Tortuguero National Park’s wildlife-filled canals. You can choose your preferred language for the tour experience. The activity is fully wheelchair accessible and suitable for all fitness levels; infants can join with an adult.