Tortuguero canoe tour with night jungle or turtle spawning

Paddle the canals, then walk the night forest or witness turtle spawning

A four-hour tour of Tortuguero National Park combining a two-hour canoe trip through the park's canals with a two-hour evening experience: a guided night walk into the forest (November to June) or a chance to observe green turtle spawning on the beach (July to October). A certified guide leads both portions in English or Spanish, and a lifevest is provided for the canoe.

Step-by-step itinerary

Canoe and night wildlife tours

• Navigate Tortuguero canals by canoe
• Observe wildlife from canoe
• Take guided night forest tour
• Witness turtle spawning (seasonal)

The experience

The canoe portion takes you from the main pier into the network of waterways that thread through Tortuguero National Park. The boat moves slowly enough to spot alligators, river turtles, monkeys, sloths and tropical birds in their habitat without startling them. The water is calm and the pace deliberate. This is observation, not speed.

After the canoe returns, the second half of the day splits by season. From November through June, a guide leads a night walk into the forest, where the jungle shifts entirely. Insects, nocturnal birds, bats and reptiles emerge when darkness falls, and the guide's knowledge of where to look and what to listen for is what makes the difference between a walk in the dark and an actual encounter. From July through October, the experience pivots to the beach: you join a guide to witness green turtles coming ashore to spawn, one of the most visually arresting natural events in Central America.

Both the canoe and the evening portion are led by certified guides fluent in English and Spanish. You'll wear a lifevest during the canoe portion. The full tour runs four hours total, and public transportation options exist nearby if you need to arrange your own arrival.

What’s included

• Two-hour canoe tour through Tortuguero National Park's canals.
• two-hour evening experience (night forest walk November–June, or turtle spawning observation July–October).
• certified guide in English or Spanish.
• lifevest for the canoe portion.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery day

AgesAdult (18 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Youth (12 to 17 years) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 15

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.

Paid on siteUS$ 24

Prices and times updated 10 days ago

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearbyNot for pregnant travelersNot for heart conditionsNot for back problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Solangie's Tour

Is this one for you?Choose the November-to-June dates if you want a guided night walk through the forest to spot nocturnal wildlife. Book July through October if you want to witness green turtle spawning on the beach. The canoe portion happens either way and is the same relaxed observation of daytime animals in the park's waterways.

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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 (12 to 17 years); Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

What animals am I likely to see on the canoe tour?

The canoe navigates slowly through the park's canals, where alligators, river turtles, monkeys, sloths and a variety of tropical birds are commonly spotted in their natural habitat. The slow pace and quiet approach make observation possible without disturbing the animals.

Can I choose between the night tour and the turtle spawning, or do I have to do both?

You choose one based on when you visit. The night forest walk runs from November through June, when guides lead you into the jungle after dark to observe nocturnal species. The turtle spawning experience runs from July through October, when you walk the beach with a guide to witness green turtles coming ashore to lay eggs.

How long does each part of the tour take?

The canoe tour lasts two hours, and the evening experience (either the night walk or the turtle spawning) also lasts two hours, for a total of four hours.

What should I bring or wear for this tour?

A lifevest is provided for the canoe portion. For the evening portion, wear clothes suitable for walking in the forest or on the beach after dark, and bring a flashlight or headlamp if you have one. The guide will have light as well. Insect repellent is recommended.